THE TRANSFORMED LIFE OF THOSE MADE RIGHTEOUS THROUGH CHRIST
Romans 12
Thesis: Those made righteous through Christ are to live sacrificial, loving, godly, and serving lives.
I. IN VIEW OF GOD’S MERCY, IT IS REASONABLE FOR CHRISTIANS TO GIVE OURSELVES AS LIVING SACRIFICES TO GOD (1-2).
A. Don’t conform to the ways of the world (2).
B. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (2).
C. When we do this, we will be able to know and approve God’s will (2).
II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT BE PROUD, BUT HUMBLE MINDED (3-8).
A. Don’t think of yourselves more highly than you ought (3).
B. Think of yourselves with sober judgment, in harmony with the measure of faith God has given you (3).
C. Christians are just one body (4, 5).
1. Just as we have one body physically.
2. The body has many mambers.
3. The members don’t have the same function.
4. Members are part with each other.
D. Members have gifts differing according to the grace given us (6-8).
1. Those with the gift of prophecy should prophecy.
2. Those with the gift of serving should serve.
3. Those with the gift of teaching should teach.
4. Those with the gift of encouraging should encourage.
5. Those with the gift of contributing to the needs of others should give liberally.
6. Those with the gift of leadership should govern diligently.
7. Those with the gift of mercy should do it cheerfully.
III. LOVE MUST BE SINCERE (9-16).
A. Hate what is evil (9).
B. Cling to what is good (9).
C. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (10).
D. Honor one another above yourselves (10).
E. Don’t lack zeal, but keep spiritual fervor in your service to the Lord (11).
F. Be joyful in hope (12).
G. Be patient in affliction (12).
H. Be faithful in prayer (12).
I. Share with God’s people who are in need (13).
J. Show hospitality (13).
K. Bless and don’t curse those who persecute you (14).
L. Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (15).
M. Live in harmony with one another (16).
N. Don’t be proud and conceited, but associate with people of low estate (16).
IV. INSTEAD OF SEEKING VENGEANCE, DEAL WITH PERSECUTORS IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOUR CONDUCT WILL CAUSE THE ENEMY TO BE CONVERTED 17-21).
A. Do not repay anyone evil for evil (17).
B. Be careful to do what is right in the sight of everybody (17).
C. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men (19).
D. Don’t seek revenge, but leave vengeance up to God, for God has promised that he will repay the evildoers (19-20).
E. If your enemy is hungry or thirsty, give him what he needs (20).
F. By your kind deeds, you will heap coals of fire upon the head of your enemy (20).
G. Don’t let evil overcome you, but ovvercome evil with good (21).
Conclusion: Life under the system of grace is an orderly, unselfish life of service to God and others.
© 2004, Dr. Wm. T. (Bill) Lambert
Professor Emeritus – NT Literature and Interpretation
College of Bible and Religion
Harding University