MPC
15th October 2017.October 15 - Romans 12:1-17 - "Living in View of God's Mercy"
MPC
15th October 2017.
Phil Campbell
Have you ever had the kind of good news... that changes everything?
We got some at the office through the week. Great news.
A letter to tell us we've won nearly 3 billion euros. In a lottery we didn't even know we'd entered.
That's a big number! And look, after the exchange rate and all that, if it actually comes through and it's not actually just a scam, it really is going to change everything. For all of us. Because even though it was addressed to me, CPHIL, it came to the church office. So it's really for all of us.
And so when the 3 billion comes through to our MPC account - I've given them our account number and password so they can make the transfer - the good news is, when the money comes through, we won't have a collection at church any more. We'll actually pay you. To come.
And our hall replacement project; that's trivial. Forget that. We're going to replace the whole suburb.
3 billion euros. That's going to change everything.
Maybe for you the good news that changed everything was the promotion to the position you always wanted. That brought you here to Queensland. I mean, that's an improvement on almost anywhere else in the world. Isn't it?
Maybe your good news that changes everything is I'm pregnant. At last. And it's twins.
You'll notice our teaching series is called good news that changes everything. It's a big claim, isn't it?
The good news it's talking about is what the New Testament calls the gospel. A word that's used 91 times. And means the good story. Good announcement.
The particular good news... that Jesus. The son of God. Has died to solve our sin problem. And has risen from the dead to rule as king.
The good news. That last week we suggested Donald Trump could easily Tweet if he's got a moment between the Tweets he's sending to North Korea to try to start World War 3. The good news Tweet... is a message with eight simple words: "The one who died for sin is King."
And if you've got your own Twitter account you're welcome to re-tweet right now. With the hashtag goodstory. You're excused from paying attention of the next 45 seconds while you get out your phone and do that.
Now the big claim this series is making. And the claim I want to put to you today. Is that when you really get hold of that message, when you really catch hold of the gospel... it really does. Change everything. Or at least, it should.
The way you think.
The way you see life.
The way you set priorities.
The way you think of yourself.
The way you think of others.
It changes your ambitions.
It changes your attitudes.
It changes your actions.
Over the next couple of weeks we're going to see that idea expanded across a few other New Testament letters.
But this morning again we're in Romans. Where Paul wants to urge us to learn how to use the gospel as a roadmap for the way we live. Because the gospel really does change everything.
We saw last week how he starts his letter to Rome with the gospel right at the front of his mind.
And he gradually unpacks it. To the climax in chapter 5.
That we're not right with God because of our goodness. We're not right with God because we're impressive. We're not invited to the good place because of our point-score. But that the gospel is God's solution to our sin problem.
And that while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. That while we were still sinners... Christ died for us.
The anointed king. That's what Christ means. The king. Is the one who died for sin. Your. Particular. Sin.
And so the gospel is good news all about God's mercy. In overlooking our sin. At Christ's expense.
So what do you think happens... if that becomes your life roadmap? Factor in the resurrection, which means this self sacrificing king is still around. He is King, not he was. Factor in that he's calling for your trust and your loyalty.
What's it going to look like... to live a a life worthy of that gospel? To match those words, with a lifestyle?
Let me tell you, in the eyes of the world you're going to be a non conformist. Or you should be. In all kinds of ways.
Which Paul actually goes on to unpack in the second half of his letter, which divides neatly at chapter 12; with the word therefore.
If you've got Romans 12 open in front of you, did you notice it? Therefore is a hinge word. Everything he's about to say swings on what he's just said about the gospel in the first 11 chapters. Therefore... is the hinge between the gospel theory and the gospel practical.
Because of everything I've just said about the gospel of God's mercy up to this point, here's how it's going to play out in your life. And it's revolutionary. And it's going to mean not conforming to what everyone else thinks. Look at his words, Romans 12:1-2:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy...
To do what?. To live out lives of sacrifice and service. Every day. That's what he says. Which is actually what it means to worship. Not the worship they were used to if they were Jewish. Animals sacrificed. Not the idol temple worship they were used to if they were Gentile. Not the definition of worship that requires a band and a smoke machine... but in view of God's mercy; in view of the sacrifice of Jesus. To live sacrificially ourselves.
I urge you in view of God's mercy... to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.
Not singing worship songs for an hour in church with a pipe organ. But this revolutionary idea of being so gripped by the gospel of God's mercy; so gripped by the king who sacrificed himself in our place... that in everything we do; every day; we're learning what it means to be sacrificial. Because we've got one eye back on the gospel. Living in view of God's mercy.
Which will mean compared to the rest of the world... we'll be radically different. Follow it into verse 2.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Now to get an idea of what that's going to look like in practice, you've got to keep reading. Which is what we're going to do. Not conforming. But transforming. In view of God's mercy in the gospel. (Because that's what he says in verse 1.Therefore, in view of God's mercy. Be transformed.)
So what's that going to look like? Paul gives us a whole list to work on. But I want to highlight two key areas. And show how they work. In connection with the gospel. How you think of yourself. And how you give yourself.
Here's the first one. And in our self-esteem saturated world, can you see how it's a radical change of mindset?
Because he says in verse 3...
Don't think too highly of yourself.
Now look; here's where the gospel brings a beautiful and healthy balance. Because he's not saying that Christians are meant to be people who wallow in self loathing. And it's a challenge, especially for teens these days. To have a balanced self esteem.
Read his words. Verse 3.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Let's try it out. Re-think; how to view yourself. In the light of the gospel.
Because if you're convinced that "The one who died for sin is King", there are two things it tells you about you. That should help you get a balanced perspective.
You know, if you're one of those people who all you want to talk about is you; if you're proud of your own achievements; you're thinking god should be pretty pleased to have you on the team. Re-think.
Because the gospel of God's mercy is that while we were yet sinners... Jesus died for you. It's radically humbling, isn't it? And yet at the same time radically affirming.
Because a king; the son of God; the Lord of the universe; has actually stepped in and valued you so much that he's put himself in your place; at the point of divine justice.
Radically humbling. And yet radically affirming.
If you're troubled by a lack of self esteem... start there. A king. Loved you so much he died for you. If you're troubled by too much self esteem. Start there as well. By nature, you're a sinner. Who a king died for. Here's the other corrective. "The one who died for sin is King" ... is a reminder that he's king. you're not. Which I need as a constant corrective. His Kingdom. Not mine.
So step 1. Don't think of yourself more highly than you should, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Same idea comes out in verse 16. That kind of thinking that I'm important and other people aren't.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Which is pretty hard isn't it, if you've grown up being told you're the most important person in the world? Maybe you've got a few runs on the board. You're making good money. You've got some promotions. Your boss has got you tagged for great things. You're being noticed. At work you get to tell 150 people what to do and they do it.
And then church. All these people who haven't made it at all. At least the way you measure it.
Can I say at this point, some of you do this really well. And it's a real mark of the gospel at work. Because you know no matter how high you might be climbing; that spiritually, you're always living in view of God's mercy. In view of the gospel. And that's where you're looking as a measure of yourself. Humble. And thankful. And never proud and elevated.
Some of us, maybe, though, need the reminder. The radical change of mindset that the gospel brings.
Not the pattern of the world. But a transformed gospel mind.
Okay. Two key mindset changes. That was number 1 in the passage. Here's number 2.
Paul says, if you're offering your body as a living sacrifice in view of God's mercy, if you're going to worship God properly; if the gospel is going to change everything... then you'll give yourself. I mean, I guess it's obvious.
If the one who died for sin is king... if the defining mark of his kingship is self sacrifice on our behalf. Then that becomes the gospel model.
And instead of saying in your loudest voice, I belong to me, and my goal in life is to make me comfortable. And instead of saying it's all about my time and my enjoyment and my convenience... the gospel flips that on its head. And says give yourself. Because you're part of something bigger. And we belong... to one another. As the body of Christ. We're joined. By the gospel.
You can read it in verse 4 and 5. And I want to zoom in on the last words in verse 5...
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body... and each memberbelongs to all the others.
Now the big question for us as a church right now, is do you believe that? And are you actually prepared to action it?
Because if you are, it means you're going to be getting your hands dirty. A whole lot more. Very easy, isn't it, to fall into the habit of being a consumer church? Where you're just here to be served and not to serve. Here to take. And not to give. And you turn up every now and then to get something.
It's going to mean if God's given you a gift at something... instead of keeping it for yourself... you use it for all of us. In the body.
The gospel is that king Jesus gave himself. Isn't that good enough for you? So if it's speaking God's word; do it. In proportion with your faith. Serving? Do it? Give yourself.
If you've got teaching gifts... use them for the good of the body. Friends, I don't know if you think there's anything mystical about people like me in teaching ministry; but for me the one reason I'm here today doing what I'm doing is that people were telling me that I had bible teaching gifts that I should be using for other people's benefit. So because of this exact passage; I gave up my day job as a main roads engineer; and went to college.
Are you going to take this stuff seriously? Or not? With a bit of luck, you can maybe even keep your job.
Follow down the list from verse 8.
If your gift is to encourage, then don't just think about it. Do it! Make the call! Send the email! Say the positive stuff that's on your mind. Because you know what? It seems to be a pretty rare gift.
If your gift is giving; then throw yourself into it; I know some of you do. Others? You maybe haven't even thought of it! And like encouragement, I don't think it's meant to be a rare gift.
If your gift is leading, do it "with careful and persistent work or effort." That's the definition of diligence. You're an elder? You're a growth group leader? You're a Kids Ministry or Youth leader? This is for you. Because you know, if you're not going to give yourself to being careful and persistent, why do you think those you lead will be? Prepare. Pray. Be there.
And if your gift is showing mercy; doing practical kind stuff. Don't act like it's a drag. Do it cheerfully!
See, with all that stuff. And you can see all those things mirrored in our own church life. With all those ways of serving... with all those ways of giving yourself... there's a cost. There's a sacrifice involved.
And the only thing that's going to make you willing to pay that cost... it's not what you're going to get. It's what you've been given. It's Jesus who paid it forward. And so it's always in view of God's mercy. Reminding yourself of the gospel. King Jesus gave up his life for me on the cross. What I'm doing is a small thing.
But again, here's the thing. When the one who died for your sin really is your king. It changes your angle on everything.
And so if you follow from verse 9 you'll love sincerely, you'll hate evil, you'll cling to good, you'll be devoted to one another in love. You'll honour one another above yourselves. You'll be quietly fervent, passionate. Zealous. About serving the Lord Jesus. As you pour your life into serving his people.
Joyful in hope. Patient in affliction. Patient in prayer. Sharing with brothers and sisters in need. Hospitable. Repaying curse. With blessing. Because that's what Jesus did. And that's the gospel.
If that's not a picture of where you're heading. Maybe you could reassess a little. See if you've really got a grip on the gospel. And then let the gospel get a a grip on you.
Friends, that's what it looks like. To live in view of God's mercy. Offering our bodies as living sacrifices. That's... real worship. Are you up for it?
You know, people sometimes talk about the music at their church as if it's worship. And they say, oh the worship at our church is really good. When really they've just got a cool band. I'd rather be part of a church where this kind of worship, real worship, is really good. People who don't think highly of themselves. But give themselves. In all kinds of faithful service. Like the top paediatric surgeon at my mate Paul Harrington's church in Adelaide who never misses teaching his little class of Sunday school kids every Sunday. He says it's the most important appointment in his week.
And if you're not seeing much worship like that in our church; how about you start by being it. Yourself. Start with you. Make the gospel your roadmap. And find out how the good news that the one who died for sin is king... really does change everything.