Sunday School Lesson

1. Romans 12:1-21
Sacrifices
May 10, 2020
His Followers Sunday School Class
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
The glory of God!
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
References
• Moo, Douglas J., Encountering The Book of Romans (Grand Rapids, Baker
Academic, 2003), 21-51.
• MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, Nelson Publishing,
1997).
• Palmer, Edwin H., The NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1985).
• Morgan, Robert J., 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know (Nashville, B &
H Publishing, 2010).
Focus of Lesson Today
• Quickly review Romans Chapters 1-11 on the basics of salvation.
• Begin to study Paul’s teachings on how to practically live out the
theological truths taught in Chapters 1-11.
• Look at the focus areas in Chapter 12 on the Call to Holiness, Use of Gifts,
Showing Love Through Deeds, and Showing Love Through Relationships.
Introduction to Romans 12
• The churches in Rome were only 20 years old but had great faith even with
civil unrest.
• The believers in Rome had not received in depth teaching on theology
and the application of it to the Christian faith.
• Paul had not visited Rome yet, but was writing a letter ahead of an
anticipated visit to Rome.

2. Summary of Chapters 1-8 of Romans
1. Salvation is by faith, both in the Old and the New Testaments.
2. Every person has sinned and has fallen short of the glory of God.
3. God demonstrates His love for us through Christ.
4. We are restored to a right relationship and have peace with God through
faith in Christ.
The Roman Road (Sharing the Gospel)
• Romans 3:23 NIV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Romans 6:23 NIV
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
• Romans 5:8 NIV
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us!
• Romans 10:9 NIV
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Summary of Romans 9,10 & 11 (Israel’s Past, Present and Future)
• The responsibility for Israel’s rejection as a nation rested with Israel.
• Israel failed to meet God’s requirement of faith.
• God’s invitation to salvation is still open to Jews and to everyone who
accepts Christ as Lord and Savior.
• God still has a plan and a future for Israel.
Paul’s Doxology
• Romans 11:33-36 NIV
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

3. Romans 12:1 NIV (Living Sacrifices)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
• Therefore – Refers back to Romans 11:36.
• Since all things are for His glory, we must respond by offering ourselves for
that purpose.
“I urge you”
• Urge – To beseech, to call along side to help.
• Jesus used a related word, often translated as “comforter” in reference to
the Holy Spirit in John 14:26.
• This family of words later came to connotate exhorting, encouraging or
counseling.
• Paul was speaking as a counselor to his readers.
“in view of God’s mercy”
• mercy – Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is
within one’s power to punish.
• Paul’s description of God’s mercy in Chapters 1-11 includes God’s love,
grace, righteousness and the gift of faith.
“to offer your bodies as living sacrifices”
• Bodies, in Paul’s teachings, refer to the whole person in relationship to the
world.
• The body includes our thoughts, our emotions and our wills.
• In Romans 10:9 where the believer confesses “Jesus is Lord”, one is
offering his whole being.
• Paul uses the imagery of offering a sacrifice to God.
• Jews were familiar with a “dead” sacrifice described in the OT and offered
in the past.
• Gentiles were familiar with the pagan sacrifices offered to their idols and
gods.
• Paul describes the sacrifice as “living, holy and pleasing to God.”
“living sacrifice”
• Sacrifice – Something of value you give up to receive something of
greater value in the future.
• Living sacrifice – Alive with a dynamic useful purpose in the future.
• Christians offer themselves to Christ as a living sacrifice to serve His
purposes as an act of worship.

4. Paul described this “living sacrifice.”
• Galatians 2:20 NIV
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.
“this is your spiritual act of worship.”
• Giving yourself to God is an act of worship.
• God wants us to always bring Him glory by the way we live.
• Worship that honors God also involves our minds and thoughts.
Romans 12:2 NIV (transformed and renewed)
2 Do not conform any longer 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.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,”
• Conform – Refers to assuming an outward expression that does not reflect
what is really inside, like a masquerade or an act.
• Paul’s call for nonconformity and holiness.
• The “pattern of this world” is Satan’s playground – living for self and worldly
pleasure.
“but be transformed”
• Transformed – Metamorphosis, a change of outward appearance.
• Matthew used the same Greek word to describe the transfigured
appearance of Jesus in Matthew 17:2.
• The imagery is one where Christians outwardly manifest their inner,
redeemed natures and glorify Christ.
“by the renewing of your mind.”
• The kind of transformation that can occur only as the Holy Spirit changes
our thinking through consistent study and meditation of the Scriptures.
• The renewed mind is one saturated with and controlled by the Word of
God.
• Titus 3:5b NIV
5b He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit,
Renewing your mind (your thoughts)
• Proverbs 23:7a KJV
7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
• 2 Corinthians 10:5b NIV
5b we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

5. Romans 12:2b NIV
2b Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good,
pleasing and perfect will.
• When one is transformed with a renewed mind, God reveals Himself
through the Scriptures and the presence of the Holy Spirit to know God’s
will.
God’s will
• Psalm 32:8 NIV
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.
Romans 12:3 NIV (use of spiritual gifts)
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 measure of faith God has given you.
• Paul will now teach about spiritual gifts, but begins by stating that humility
is the first step.
“the measure of faith God has given you.”
• The measure is the correct proportion of the spiritual gift.
• Paul is not referring here to saving faith, but the faithful stewardship
required to use one’s own particular gift.
• Every believer receives the exact gift and resources he needs to fulfill his
role in the body of Christ.
Romans 12:4-5 NIV (“one body… many members”)
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 who are many, form one
body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:6-8 NIV (a list of spiritual gifts)
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is
prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith; 7 if it is serving, let him serve;
if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is
contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let
him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

6. God has a purpose for your spiritual gift.
• Ephesians 2:10 NIV
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
• 1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV
11 All these are the work of the one and the same Spirit, and he gives them
to each one, just as he determines.
All spiritual gifts are for the common good.
• 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7 NIV
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers, I do not want you to be
ignorant.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different
kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working,
but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the
manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Observations on spiritual gifts
• Gifts are given to be used to bless others and not ourselves, hence the
warning about pride.
• God’s grace through our life experiences is used to develop our spiritual
gifts.
• Spiritual gifts can be realized at any time in our lives.
• Not all gifts are fully visible to others, but they are just as important and
blessed.
Romans 12:9 NIV (sincere love)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
• Romans 12:9 NKJV
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Sincere love is without hypocrisy.
• Sincere – Free from pretense or deceit, “real.”
• Hypocrisy – A Greek theater word meaning “to wear a mask”; intent to
deceive.
• Matthew 6:2 NIV
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by
others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
• Their reward is to be seen by men.

7. Romans 12:10 NIV (the mark of a Christian)
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
• Jesus said this quality is the primary way the world can recognize us as His
followers.
• John 13:34-35 NIV
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.”
Romans 12:11-13 NIV (eight commands)
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s
people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Eight commands in Romans 12:11-13
1. Zeal – Enthusiasm, energy.
2. Fervor – “To boil in spirit;” controlled energy.
3. Serving the Lord – Using the time God gives.
4. Joyful in hope – Keeping a “future” focus.
5. Patient in affliction – Perseverance.
6. Faithful in prayer – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually.
7. Share – Often translated as partnership and fellowship or communion.
8. Hospitality – Pursuing the love of strangers; welcoming strangers.
Romans 12:14 NIV (treat enemies like friends)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
• Paul teaches Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
Romans 12:15 NIV (Showing others you care)
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
• Empathy vs. Sympathy?
• Empathy – The ability to actually feel what another person is feeling.
• “To walk a mile in their shoes.”
• Sympathy – A simple expression of concern for another person’s
misfortune.
Romans 12:16 NIV (harmony and equality)
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.
• Paul is addressing the equality of all people in God’s eyes.

8. Peter used the same phrases.
• 1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love
as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or
insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that
you may inherit a blessing.
Biblical equality
• Galatians 3:28 NIV
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you
are all one in Christ Jesus.
• All people are equal before God, and should be equal in church,
home, and society.
• Romans 3:22-23
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all
who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
• Equal responsibility – Race, gender, and class are not barriers to
Christ.
• John 15:12-14, 17 NIV
12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater
love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are
my friends if you do what I command.”
17 This is my command: Love each other.
• Mutual submission – Christian love is the heart of life in the Spirit.
Mutual submission is Christian love in action, treating each person
with dignity.
Romans 12:17-19 NIV (defuse evil)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s
wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:20-21 NIV (Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22a)
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• The heart of the enemy is softened by your kindness.

9. Summary of Romans 12:17-21
• Four Practical Steps to Defuse Evil:
1. Refuse to retaliate – A soft answer.
2. Initiate peace talks – Blessed are the peacemakers.
3. Don’t play God – Don’t take revenge.
4. Overcome evil with good.
How do you overcome evil with good?
• Paul is saying, “Don’t let your enemy’s hostility produce hostility in you. But
let your love triumph over his hostility.”
• Don’t be overcome by evil means.
• Don’t let another person’s evil make you evil.
Closing Thoughts on Romans 12, Sacrifices
• After presenting the theology of salvation, Paul begins in Chapter 12 to
describe how we as Christians should live in a corrupt world.
• The image Paul uses is that you present yourselves as living sacrifices to
God, with behavior that shows the world that Christians are different.
Closing Scriptures
• Romans 12:1-2 NIV
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
• Romans 12:12 NIV
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
The Plan of Hope & Salvation:
John 3:16-17 NIV
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his
Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 14:6 NIV
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23 NIV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

10. Romans 6:23a NIV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to
pay the penalty for our sin.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the “second death” explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NIV
8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually
immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place
will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
• Anyone who’s lifestyle is one or more of the sins listed in Revelation 21:8,
will experience the “second death,” if they do not repent.
• To Repent means to turn around, to go in the opposite direction, to turn
away from sin and believe in Jesus.
Romans 5:8 NIV
8 But God demonstrates His own love for us, in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NIV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NIV
7 “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My
son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explain to us how to be overcomers.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and
are saved.
Romans 10:13 NIV
13 for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Do you have questions?
Would you like to know more?
Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/