Good news Number 6

Good news: Now I can serve God

Romans 12 : 1-21

1. We’re to give ourselves to God - completely (1.2)

a) Give him our bodies as a living sacrifice

b) When we give ourselves over to God, we’re to be ‘holy’ - separated to God

c) It involves refusing to let the world’s way of doing things dominate us cf. 1 Thess. 1:9,10

d) As we stand firm, we discover God’s will for us

2. We’re to live as members of Christ’s body (3-8)

a) I’m not the only pebble on the beach (3)

b) Instead of tripping up others, we’re to build them up (6-8)

See also: 1 Cor 2:28-31; Eph. 4:11-13

When we start using these gifts we discover something else:

3. We’re to have an intimate relationship with other Christians in the church (9-13)

Love sincerely (9,10), hate evil, cling to the good (9)

Think about others before yourself (10)

Be enthusiastic - isolation brings coldness (11)

Joy (12)....hope....patience (12)....prayer (12).... care (13)....hospitality (13)

4. We’re to live for God in society (14-21)

a) We’ll face opposition (14)

b) Enter others’ joys and sorrows (15)

c) How do you get on with people? (16)

d) Are you proud? (16)

e) Conceited? (16)

f) Vindictive? (17-20) - do what is right (17) - live at peace (18) - leave it to God (19)

g) Overcome evil with good (21) cf. Acts 10:38