Text... Romans 12:1 (New Living Translation) "And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind the will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."
Introduction: The Temptations we're an impeccably dressed, smooth voiced group of talented men, who knew that sometimes begging isn't a bad thing. The Temptations and the Apostle Paul, display the skills to sweet talk their way into progressive action.
Transition: Paul transitions abruptly from doctrinal faith affirmations, to chapter 12 with practical faith applications. The immediate implication is that this is an appeal to the Christian's close kinship; this is a family affair! Sadly, family won't always volunteer to do the right thing, and sometimes begging seems to work.
Exposition: Paul packs this single verse, with a significant plea, for the children of God to be devoted to and concerned about pleasing God by doing our absolute best...
This is too serious for us to make verbal vows today, and do nothing to improve. Reference Matthew 15:8-9 "‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”
-Plead...God desires, deserves and demands our best. Mediocrity isn't an option, because Jesus was sacrificed so we can live! This plea isn't merely for our individual lives, but it's spiritual, including the church of Jesus Christ.
-All...This word sounds exhaustive. The list of the Lord's love acts, is far too long for us to count!After all that the Lord has done for me, I'm going to do the best I can for him!
-Done...God is a show me God! Reference Romans 5:8 "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
-Sacrifice...Paul gives a parallel between the dead offering form (animal blood for atonement; fat gives adoration to God for the meat), and the living reality. Worship in it's true form is a lifestyle. Being good and doing good in daily life, pleases and glorifies God.
Conclusion: Colossians 3:23 "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
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