TEXT: ROMANS 12:1-21

Rom 12:1 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 (KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rom 12:3 (KJV) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Rom 12:4 (KJV) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Rom 12:5 (KJV) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Rom 12:6 (KJV) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Rom 12:7 (KJV) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Rom 12:8 (KJV) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Rom 12:9 (KJV) Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Rom 12:10 (KJV) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Rom 12:11 (KJV) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rom 12:12 (KJV) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Rom 12:13 (KJV) Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Rom 12:14 (KJV) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rom 12:15 (KJV) Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Rom 12:16 (KJV) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Rom 12:17 (KJV) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Rom 12:18 (KJV) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Rom 12:19 (KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Rom 12:20 (KJV) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Rom 12:21 (KJV) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

INTRODUCTION:

My heart is overwhelmed by the realization that the Lord is watching my reaction to His leading. Everyone of us in this house today are being evaluated by how we respond the challenge before us.

We are not merely actors on the stage. We are members of the body of Christ and of the family of God, in particular. The actions we take are not measured by human standards but are judged by scriptural principles and therefore have eternal implications.

For instance, the way we relate to one another as Christians reveals whether we truly believe the Bible or simply view it as an historical document.

Also, our works for the Lord are compared to the consuming lifestyle of our flesh and judged as to whether the devotion we offer the Lord is sincere or obligatory. In addition, the efforts we put forth to build the church (body of Christ) by edification of one another, witnessing, prayer, and involvement by participation testifies to our true level of commitment.

My message today will deal with the urgent need for building and\or re-building the principles of Romans 12 in our lives and applying those principles to our fellowship and Christian work.

A. We need sensitivity to spiritual needs.

1. Has the vision come from God?

2. "Am I spiritually alive?"

3. "Do I help the total spirituality of the church?"

4. "Do my gifts belong to Christ?"

B. We need an awareness of satanic opposition.

1. Discouragement

2. Dividing the people.

3, Gossip and rumor-mongering.

4. Pick off the leadership.

5. Satan tempts at our level of receptivity.

C. We need compatibility with other believers.

1. Avoid the "personal conviction" complex.

2. Be willing to accept others into the church and into your circle of friends.

3. Practice quick forgiveness; reject grudges and vengeance.

4. Respect the level of spiritual and physical victory in other people.

D. We need adaptability to church growth.

1. Press toward the goal with vitality and stamina.

2. Depend on the Lord and keep the relationship vital.

3. Read, believe, and trust His Word.

4. Be flexible in methodology.

5. Don't give up! Persevere! Stay in the fight!

6. Be single-minded. James 1:8 says, " A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

E. Guard your heart with diligence.

1. Be all you can be for God and the church.

2. Be an example of God's grace and power.

3. Be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.

4. Be the "definition" of the word "Christian".

Col 3:14 (KJV) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.