Romans 12

Romans 12:2
“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.”
God has changed the Christian from a man of hostility to God to a man of peace with God. The work of renovation has been taking place.
Colossians 3:10 “Be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds”
A. DO NOT BE CONFORMED-
Do not let the world fit you into it’s mold.
Len Bias
The difference between Time and eternity.
Transient and everlasting
Worldly spirit and a spirit of God
“The world lives for the here and the now and the church lives with an eternal perpective.”
Realizing that we are human beings, as a result of the fall we have the idea in mind that we are immortal.
Tiger Woods- the wages of sin is death
Wisdom in knowing not to conform to this world
What does this world mean for Len Bias now?
1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things of this world, If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him.
1. The age- Galations 1:4- God delivered us from this present age
“Coveting, sin, death, lust and selfishness”
The gospel and the new creation
B. BUT BE TRANSFORMED
The word transform means metamorphosis- Caterpillar into a Butterfly
A man of sin into the image of Christ
What pleases God?
1. Do the actions in my life incline towards wickedness?
2. Does my heart yearn for righteousness?
Not about cool or uncool- it’s about wisdom and understanding and freedom from bondage.
“2 Corinthians 3:17- “Now the lord is a spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
Baptism is a sign that things are going to be different.
Love of self and a love for the here and now can debilitate a person. 1 disease can transform what you look like physically, but what is eternal what is in the heart is forever.
C. BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND
Your mind and conduct will change from being involved in corporate worship and involved in reading of the scriptures taking on real life responsibilities, church membership and regular participation in the sacraments.
What will renewing my mind change
“There is one difference between a Christian and a non Christian and that is everything.
What you say, how you act, what you were, were u spend your time, your view on politics, abortion and sex before marriage, the way you raise kids, everything.
Renewing your mind will make you a brand new person and it is a gradual process.
Changed in heart and in mind
Trying to be good is of no value- u must be transformed by the Holy Spirit
2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone behold the new has come.
THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACEPTABLE AND PERFECT
Satan has been doubting God’s plan from the beginning. But the lie he tells is that God’s plan is not good, that it cannot be trusted that it is not fun, unpleasant and will let us down.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn from evil.
Gen 22
We see bits and pieces but soon we will see the whole thing.
Why does God hate sin? We are called to a higher form of living, a life that Chrsit would live to show God’s glory, how he can take a wretch have grace on them and save them.
Read 12:9-21