CHANGE: JESUS BRINGS GOODNESS
ROMANS 11:33 – 12:2
NOTE FROM PASTOR JACK: If you are using these notes as the basis for a sermon or Bible Study, I suggest you change the introduction to something about yourself being bad as a child, instead of using my illustrations.
Personal Confession – It is easier for me to be bad than it is easier for me to be good. This is nothing new! My Dad told the story of him giving a neighbor a ride to a neighbor.
The neighbor said to Dad, “One of the kids threw a rock at my son and hit him in the head.”
Dad said, “Was it the Thomas Kid?
The neighbor said, “No, it was the Peters kid. (Me!)
He also told of a time when I hit a girl because she didn’t love me. This was in second or third grade.
Truth be told, I did more bad things than Dad ever knew about, and I had a reputation of being a “good kid”.
I think you can relate to what I am saying. When we became Christians, who trusted in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection for our sins, we didn’t need Him because we were good, but because we were and are bad.
When we trusted Christ, we were and are forgiven of all our bads. But Jesus brings us goodness, that is, the ability to act in a good way.
Jesus brings change. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Don’t think that we’ll ever be perfect in this life, but with the enablement of the Holy Spirit, we can continue to become better.
So how does this goodness become a reality? Let’s examine Romans 11:33 – Romans 12:2
- Paul is moving from his doctrinal (teaching) section to his practical section.
- Paul is urging us to do something because of “the mercies of God.” (Romans 12:1)
CONSIDER GOD’S GREATNESS AND GOODNESS – Romans 11:33-36
- These verses are in reference to the previous discussion about Jews and Gentiles.
- They also refer back to the whole doctrinal teaching found in the first 11 chapters of Romans.
- All Are Lost Sinners. – Romans 1:18 – 3:20
- Salvation Is by Faith. – Romans 3:21 – 5:21
- Christian Growth Is a Process – Romans 6:1 – 8:39
- God Is Sovereign. – Romans 9:1 – 11:36
- Summary – God is awesome in his greatness and goodness. Most awesome thing of all is God’s forgiveness based on the sacrifice of His Son and then instating us his children. Romans 8:15-17
COMMIT (OFFER) YOUR BODY – Romans 12:1
- No offering can atone for our sins. Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. Psalm 49:6-9, Psalm 49:15
- However, out of appreciation, we are to present or offer our bodies (everything human) as a “living sacrifice.”
- As a priest would offer a slain animal as a sacrifice in worship, we are to offer ourselves and surrender everything to God! Nothing is to be held back!
- Our time, thoughts, talents, treasures belong to Him!
- Our relationships, activities, families, health, and attitudes are all his! Nothing is to be held back.
- For sacrificial offerings that are animals, it was a once, for all offering, holy or set apart for God.
- For us, it is a once, for all commitment that needs to be affirmed daily, holy and pleasing to God! Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:23
- This is not an easy commitment, but for Christ’s sake, it is your reasonable (logical) service (of worship).
- This is the way we should worship as believer priests.
1 Peter 2:9-11
CORRECT YOUR THINKING – Romans 12:2
- Because we are not in our resurrection bodies, we are unable to this perfectly.
- We are striving to be like Jesus and this will take a constant attitude of submission, frequent confession, and Scriptural memorization and meditation.
- Don’t be conformed to this age. We mustn’t be thinking as unsaved people think.
- The Word of God is to be our constant guide and companion, for the Spirit of God to conform us.
- May it be said of me, “He died climbing!”
- I feel that this requires us to have to continually read, memorize, meditate and obey Scripture. Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3
- This way I will prove to myself “what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
