Transformed: A Practical Portrait of Life in Christ

Based on Romans 12 (ESV)

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1. God cares about what I do with both my and my .

2. I should resist the pressure to adopt the sinful values and behaviors of the .

3. Transformation occurs as my mind is – by the truth of God’s word and the power of God’s Spirit.

4. With a renewed mind, I can then discern and do God’s .

³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

5. Transformation occurs when I develop an accurate assessment of .

6. Transformation occurs best in – God expects me to be a of a local church, the body of Christ.

7. Transformation occurs as I use my for the benefit of others, and as others use their gifts to benefit me.

⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

8. When my life is transformed, I will relate to others with , and my relationships will be characterized by:

1) Sincerity and authenticity (v. 9a)
2) Discernment and devotion (v. 9b)
3) Warmth and affection (v. 10a)
4) Honor and respect (v. 10b)
5) Energy and enthusiasm (v. 11)
6) Joyful perseverance and faithful, hopeful prayer (v. 12)
7) Compassion and generosity (v. 13a)
8) A welcoming spirit and gracious hospitality (v. 13b)
9) Good will and blessing – even to persecutors (v. 14)
10) Empathy and sympathy (v. 15)
11) Unity, peace, and harmony (v. 16a, 18)
12) Humility and teachability (v. 16b)
13) Non-retaliation and service – even to enemies (vv. 17-21)