10.2.2016 Sermon Notes & Slides

Sermon Notes

A (More Than) Reasonable Response
Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 10:31
Pastor John Sloan

Introduction: “The Bible tells the story of what God does to save His people, not only from their enemies, but from their sins” (Edmund Clowney). Thus, the primary focus of every biblical sermon should be on what God has done in Christ, and only secondarily what we should do. Nevertheless, a right understanding of God’s salvation should cause us to respond in a certain way, both individually and as a church.

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Questions for Discussion & Discovery

1. How does Romans 12 mark the turning point of the entire letter? What does the word “therefore” point back to? Why is this significant?

2. In what sense is grace (God’s one-way love for sinners) unsettling? What aspects of grace (again, bad people receiving good things) do you struggle with the most?

3. What is unique about a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1)?

4. About what in life are you most passionate? What is it that “makes you tick”? How does your enthusiasm for God’s salvation compare to those other passions?

5. What does it mean practically to worship God in all areas of life?

6. Why is it critical that we establish a pattern of faithfulness in gathering together as believers? What do we miss when we neglect this privilege?

Sermon Slides

1. We exist to make disciples who make disciples for God’s glory and the joy of all peoples.
2. Gospel, Multiplication, Worship, Prayer, Community, Discipline, & Service
3. Worship | We embrace all of life as worship and will nurture our worship by faithfully gathering together.
4. Read Romans 12:1-2.
5. “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:17
6. 01. Worship is a joyful and continual response by God’s people to God’s provision in Christ.
7. Read Romans 12:1-2 again.
9. “Some scholars take the word [for bodies] literally, discerning an emphasis on outward and concrete dedication to God. But the word “bodies” here refers to the whole person. Genuine commitment to God embraces every area of life.” – Thomas Schreiner
10. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
11. 02. We worship God by adoring him, and ascribing to him the honor and glory that he alone is due.
12. “So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:14-16
13. 03. We gather to remember God’s faithfulness in Christ and to encourage one another in the character of God, thus fueling our individual worship.
14. Reading of Scripture, Preaching of the Word, Singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs
Mutual encouragement, Public declaration of our faith, Reception and distribution of gifts, Confession, Giving Thanks, Baptism and the Lord’s Table, & Prayer.
15. “It’s a gospel-rhythm—sent and gathered, always worshiping and regularly worshiping together, with the story of the gospel throbbing in our regular rhythms: this is who you are, this is your God, this is your story. It’s a life-giving and community giving pulse, and when the gospel is at the center—remembered, declared in unity, and displayed in the church’s worship—it’s a rhythm of grace.” – Mike Cosper