Notes

MATURING INTO CHRIST
VI. A LIVING SACRIFICE
Romans 12:1-12 February 15, 2009

INTRODUCTION
If we are going to mature into Christ, we must be living sacrifices. What does this mean? In this passage, the great Apostle to the Gentiles is urging us to live a life of self-sacrificing stewardship, a life of absolute surrender.

I. SELF SACRIFICE FOR THE GROWTH OF GOD’S KINGDOM
Notice that Paul is making a strong appeal to Christians. He makes this appeal after his discussion of God’s mercy in salvation (chapters 1-4); in sanctification of believers (chapters 5-8); in preservation of God’s people (chapters 9-11). In light of all of God’s mercies, St. Paul calls on the Christians at Rome to mature into Christ by being living sacrifices. He calls on them to be “once and for all” sacrifices. Maturing into Christ requires a commitment similar to that made at the time of a marriage ceremony.

II. THE EXAMPLE OF SELF SACRIFICE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Philippians 2:5-11. C.T. Studd. St. Paul. The Lord Jesus. St. Timothy. Epaphroditus.

III. HOW TO BE SELF SACRIFICING IN ORDER TO MATURE INTO CHRIST
The sacrificial system of the Old testament give us a clue as to what it means to mature into Christ by being self-sacrificing. It was the whole burnt offering that one brought to the Altar to indicate complete and total consecration of life to the Lord God. Leviticus 1:1-9. Living Sacrifices were acts of faith. God’s standard of holiness is revealed in His Word. Parts of the sacrificed animal examined: entrails and legs. Why? How are we cleansed today? The entire sacrifice was placed on the Altar to be totally consumed. So today, we are called to be totally consumed by the Lord as His faithful stewards, as we mature into Christ. Jim Elliott said, “A man is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Are you maturing into Christ by being a living sacrifice, a steward of your life?