ABF 20.7 LN

SERMON NOTES
Romans 12
As a response to God and what he did, we should act with devotion
We should have an enthusiasm of devotion which is worthy of the God whom we worship
Our worship ought to be informed by our full knowledge of God, instead of by our preferences
Romans 12
We see a familiar and consistent analogy of the church body being understood by thinking about the human body
All believers are connected and gifted through their spiritual gifting in order to better serve and worship God
Even at the cellular level, our bodies have incredible diversity in appearance and function, even though they’re essentially made of the same things as one another
A fully functioning body is miraculous. Every Christian is meant for an essential purpose in the church body
These functions are possible because of God, and should be pursued in response to God
Service is always the byproduct of worship. Service is the result of a living sacrifice: a giving of self
Acknowledging the glory of God and His works are the driving force behind our service and worship
You need to give something so you can be a part of proper worship
God is no longer interested in animal or sacrifices. He wants us, personally
Romans 6
Joshua 1:7-8
Our minds must be transformed to accommodate God’s views of proper worship and sacrifice
Psalm 119:11
We aren’t to overthink, but to get the basics correct in our transformation. Service and worship must maintain their connection in our lives, hearts, and minds
When cells become disloyal to their purpose and stop acting on behalf of the rest of the body, they are disastrous. This is cancer
Selfish people can cripple or destroy a body. But under the proper governance of the Spirit, God receives His proper glory and the church body thrives
We should devote ourselves to the function to which we have been appointed
Romans 12:9-
Acts 2
Acts 4
These examples are very helpful and pointed. Believers and the world have categorically different solutions to many issues that are laid out here–because the center of the service is wholly different
Paul encourages us to labor in our minds for ways to pay back evil for good, and to follow Christ’s unintuitive wisdom in countless other ways which seem foolish to Man
We should continue to reflect on Scripture and cultivate enthusiasm for God and our service to Him. Allow our hearts to be informed for full worship
Let all this carry us into the further topics of the year