Romans 12:1-2
The Change that Jesus Brings
Note the phrase "reasonable service" \\#1\\. The word reasonable
denotes something that is logical and obvious. Perhaps even noting
something mutually considered, discussed, and agreed to. Yet,
neither in this text nor anywhere in the Bible is there a discussion
between mankind and God on what our reasonable service is.
Instead, God tells us what He expects from us and tells that what He
expects IS reasonable. Such a tactic would suggest that we—all of
us—were totally lost, totally undone, totally hopeless.
What does God consider reasonable? Let me share some verses.
1. Change in behavior
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who
were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to
the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that
now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation
in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the
mind; and were by nature the children of wrath,
even as others.
2. Change in affections
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God.
3. Change in our very being
2Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he
is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
There is a theme in all of these texts. Do you see it?
It is that our life will be changed. All of these verses (and many
others) point to the fact that a Christian is to be a changed person.
They say that if we are in Jesus Christ, we should be a new creature,
with new affections, having a new mind, and walking a new course.
The problem is that sometimes Christians resist this change. I’m not
certain why some do but they do. Maybe they are not taught. Maybe it
is there old rebellious nature, rising to the surface before they
realize it, but the change is supposed to be there.
For a few moments, can I give you some reasons why you should let the
change take place?
I. We should be changed because it is natural.
A. There are laws in this physical world that we live to which
we must yield.
1. Gravity is going to pull you down.
2. Time is going to wear you out.
3. Energy is going to run out on you.
B. We need to understand the physics of the spiritual world.
1. Christians and lost people have different natures. What
is natural for the Christian is not natural for the
unsaved person and what is natural for the unsaved
person is not natural for the Christian.
2. We have different values, mindsets, goals, and masters.
3. All of these differences have changed us.
C. This is so because God, through the person of the Holy Ghost,
has literally moved into our being.
1. This was prophesied on the Old Testament.
Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart,
and I will put a new spirit within you; and I
will take the stony heart out of their flesh,
and will give them an heart of flesh:
a. Typically, the use of the word "flesh" would be a
negative thing to imply carnal, worldly.
b. However, here it means soft and tender toward God.
c. It is being contrasted to having a heart of stone.
b. Part of the change is that God will give us a heart
tender to Him.
2. It is the reason such radical new phrases were coined to
describe the salvation experience.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
D. The Holy Spirit of God who is within us gives us abilities and
powers beyond our own.
1. When He came in, He literally rewired the way our minds
work.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do
mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
2. Elsewhere, Paul says is by the work of the Holy Spirit
that we are enabled to live out the truth of the New
Testament.
2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able
ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter
killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
3. With the Holy Ghost living inside of you, you should have
been changed. It is what He does.
a. Zacchaeus-No one had to tell him to fix the wrongs
he may have done with his money.
b. Demonic of Gadara
c. Saul of Tarsus - rethink his theology
II. We should be changed because we love Him.
A. This one should not require much convincing.
1. Preaching is geared to persuade or convince.
2. We use the Bible, God’s Book of Truth, to try to change
people’s minds about things.
B. If the love of God has been poured into you, you should love
God back and be changed.
1. This thought is not predicated on me quilting or shaming
you.
2. Rather, it is based on the power that the love of God has
on those who have received it.
3. Two Bible verses.
1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
4. If God has loved you, helped you, given to you, you should
be changed just because you love Him.
C. Has God loved you?
1. Was Jesus loving you when He left heaven to come to earth?
2. Was Jesus loving you when He walked among us for 30 years?
3. Was Jesus loving you when He was arrested, beaten, mocked,
and crucified?
4. Was Jesus loving you when they whipped the flesh from off
His back, pressed the thorns in His brow? nailed the
spikes into His hands?
D. Then it is reasonable that you love Him!
III. We should be changed if we want God’s presence.
A. Do not discard God’s presence.
1. With God’s presence comes five others aspects of God which
most every human being will desire at one time or
another.
a. Power - Even wanted God to "fix" something?
b. Purpose - Why?
c. Peace - Forgiveness from Him or another
d. Provision - Money, raise?
e. Protection
2. You cannot have one of God’s miracles unless you have God.
B. If you have studied very much in the Bible, you should know
God is a holy and sinless God.
1. That is not God’s choice. That is God’s character.
2. God does not just choose to be separate from sin. His
nature demands that He be separate from sin.
C. That is the reason God insists His people be pure and holy.
1Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am
holy.
1Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy
of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory.
1Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us
unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
2Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us
with an holy calling….
2Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you,
1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification, that ye should abstain
from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to
possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the
Gentiles which know not God:
IV. We should be changed because we want to serve God.
A. I note that this is actually the topic of Paul, "reasonable
service." His point is that if you have been changed, you
should want to serve and that is just reasonable.
B. There are three types of service.
1. No service - You aren’t doing anything.
2. Carnal service - You are doing what you think is
reasonable.
3. Reasonable service - You are doing what God thinks is
reasonable.
C. Because of God’s holy nature, you must be changed to render
reasonable service to Him.
D. If you want to serve God, you must let the change God is
working in your life take place.
1. Do you want to hate sin and love righteousness?
2. Do you want God’s peace?
3. Do you want to be a witness for God?
4. Do you want to talk to God?
5. Do you want to have a purpose for life?
6. Do you want to understand the Word of God?
E. We understand that we are just vessels of clay and that we
are never going to be perfect, but for God to use you, you
must give God something with which to work.
V. We should be changed because it is best for us.
A. I mentioned eariler, that God’s tactic indicates we come from
a totally lost, totally undone, totally hopeless position.
1. We do.
2. For some, this might be where the rubber meets the road.
3. There is an obvious problem with living the old life after
we are saved.
4. The old life leads to the old problems!
B. For most of us, the old life, with all of its failures and
problems, is what God used to bring us to the realization
that we needed Him.
1. The wages of sin for a saved person is same as the wages
of sin for a lost person.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death….
2. You may not lose your soul, but sin still leads to misery
and unhappiness.
Give Them All To Jesus
Words and Music by Phil Johnson and Bob Benson, Sr.
Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?
Are you tired of spinning round and round?
Wrap up all those shattered dreams of your life
And at the feet of Jesus, lay them down.
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys.
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrows into joy.
VI. We should be changed because it is commanded.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do
not the things which I say?
A. You simply can’t be right with God and not be changed by Him.
Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth
my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to
whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and
digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock:
and when the flood arose, the stream beat
vehemently upon that house, and could not shake
it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like
a man that without a foundation built an house
upon the earth; against which the stream did
beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and
the ruin of that house was great.
B. Some think character does not count, but it does.
1. Not because it tells others what kind of Christian you are.
2. But because it tells you.
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