Sermons
Practical Highlights from Romans 12-16
Series: The Message of Romans10The Message of Romans
Practical Highlights of Romans 12-16
Rom. 12:1-2
Introduction:
1. Nine lessons ago we began our study of The Message of Romans.
2. In the first lesson we focused attention on the gospel being the power of God for salvation. The message of the gospel and the message of Romans is: By faith the righteous shall live.
a. So, the message of Romans is about the power of God.
b. And it is about faith being the mechanism by which that power is applied to us.
3. In the second lesson we learned why we need the gospel.
a. Gentiles have sinned.
b. Jews have sinned.
c. Indeed, all have sinned and are falling short of the glory of God.
d. The law closes every mouth and holds the whole world accountable to God because it
reveals that we are all violators.
4. In the third lesson we learned that the righteousness of God is given to all those who believe in what God has done through Jesus Christ. We are justified as a gift through God’s grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. He is our propitiatory offering. His blood satisfies the wrath of God against our sin.
5. Just like Abraham our belief is reckoned to us as righteousness. And so, we have peace with God.
6. We baptized believers are dead to sin and alive in Christ Jesus. We are married to Christ and there is no condemnation for us, NOT because we are sinlessly perfect but because we have trusted in God’s power to save us.
7. Our confidence in our salvation is not based on what we have done, but on what God has done. Any boasting that we may do is not based on our performance, but based on what God has done through the cross of Jesus Christ. “To Him be the glory forever!” says Paul.
8. But all of this should motivate us to act in a way consistent with the mercies of God. And so, in Rom. 12:1-2 Paul transitions to the practical implications of being saved by the power of God. We cannot in these brief moments address everything he says in chapters 12-16, but I would like to survey some of the highlights, as representative of the kind of behavior that comes from recognizing that you are saved by the power of God.
Discussion:
I. Paul makes such transition points frequently in His writings. He lays down the theology and then transitions to the behavioral implications.
A. He does it here in 12:1-2. It is interesting to note that the transformation in this text
involves an on-going activity. It is passive, in the sense that God is acting to continue the
transformation, but it is also imperative, meaning that we have a responsibility in the
transformation. “Continue to let yourselves be transformed,” conveys the idea.
B. He does it in Gal. 5:13-15.
C. He does it in Eph. 4:1.
D. He does it in Col. 3:1-4.
E. He does it in Phil. 1:27.
F. He does it in Titus 3:3-8.
G. There is a sense in which he mirrors his experience from persecutor to preacher, from
sinner to servant, from blasphemer to one who blesses (Cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-17).
II. This transition begins with humility, in recognition of God’s gift giving and so, we serve (12:3-8).
A. In love (9).
B. In devotion (10a).
C. In honor (10b). “Outdoing one another.”
D. Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope,
persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints,
practicing hospitality (10b-13).
E. Blessing and not cursing. Extending graciousness to all: persecutors, the lowly, and
enemies, overcoming evil with good (14-21).
F. This service extends into our relationship with the governing authorities (13:1-7).
G. We are to fulfill the law of love by loving our neighbor (13:8-10).
H. Lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (13:11-14).
III. Accept one another, without judgment (condemnation) and contempt allowing each to abide by his own conscience (14:1ff-15:13).
A. Our tendency is to make our conscience the rule for everyone else and thus we condemn
and view with contempt those who do not do as we think they should.
1. Instead we should recognize that each one stands before God. He is our master and
each person must be fully convinced in his/her own mind and so honor the Lord with
his/her behavior. Each of us must give an account of himself/herself to God.
2. We should not put a stumbling block before another, that is, we should not do
anything that causes another to violate their conscience.
B. We are to be submissive to one another bearing the weaknesses of those without
strength and not just please ourselves.
1. We are to accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us.
2. At a practical level that means that we are going to have to be gracious with each
other.
3. Even though we may be prone to condemnation and contempt, strife and jealousy, we
must put to death/lay aside these things the same way we do carousing, drunkenness,
and sexual promiscuity (13:13).
4. And yes, we must keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances,
contrary to the teaching and turn away from them (Rom. 16:17ff). But we must
recognize that it is the riches of God’s kindness and tolerance and patience that has
led us to repentance (2:4). So, it would be helpful instead of passing condemning
judgments and viewing others with contempt that we practice these things.
IV. In the last part of chapter 15 and chapter 16 we are made aware of the value of personal relationships and the need of cultivating them.
A. Paul is on his way to Jerusalem with a contribution collected for the saints (15:22ff).
B. He asks for their prayers (15:30ff).
C. He commends and greets the many in Rome (16:1ff).
Conclusion:
1. While the Book of Romans communicates that we are saved by faith. This is certainly where our assurance comes from.
2. But this does not mean that we are free to disobey God.
3. Indeed the message of the gospel leads to the “obedience of faith” mentioned in Rom. 1:5 and 16:26.
4. While we are saved by the power of God grace demands a transformed life. We are not saved by works, but we are saved to do good works that glorify God.
