Audio:
2007-11-18 PM Make God an Offer - Romans 12.mp3

Make God an Offer

Romans 12
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.

I. Do the Reasonable Thing

A. As Christians grow in knowledge of God, an awareness of providence clarifies how God’s world works; act accordingly. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

B. The transformed mind inevitably moves toward the revelation of God and awareness that service to God is simply a form of sanctified self-interest. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

II. Find a Place in the Larger Divine Plan

A. A Christian must consider gifts and abilities in the light of sovereign grace; God places the elect according to His plans. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

B. The parts of the body are related without being identical; the same principle applies to believers. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” (Romans 12:4)

C. The church is no place for the “Peter Principle”; find an appropriate function and use every asset to fulfill that calling. “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;” (Romans 12:5-6)

D. Christians must offer to God what they have rather that what they might want to have or what they might see in other people. “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:7-8)

III. In Everything Be Sincere

A. God calls believers to integrity. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9)

B. For a Christian, the fundamental career question is not, “What will help me become the best Christian?” but “What will advance the cause of Christ?” “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:10-11)

C. Not one of the obligatory features of the Christian life factors into contemporary career development manuals. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” (Romans 12:12-13)