By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, January 4, 2009 · Second Sunday of Christmas
Sermon Text: Romans 12:1-9
Sermon Theme
In the twelfth chapter of Romans, Paul introduces the basic theme of how do we now live as Christians. His extensive discussion of God’s plan of salvation now comes to the practical and fundamental way we make decisions and function as followers of Christ in the present world. For Paul, this shift is not introducing a new subject, but rather a continuation of what he has already presented. The whole meaning of the gospel was that God may be “merciful to all’ (11:31). Mercy, then, is the basis for Christian living. Without this foundational understanding, the Christian life degenerates into hypocrisy, self indulgence and legalism. Based on God’s mercies, we are to make a decision to become living sacrifices for Christ, discern God’s will and demonstrate his love. From start to finish, we can only rely on God’s mercy.
Sermon Outline
- Decision. Because of God’s mercy, Paul appeals to us to present our bodies as “a living sacrifice.” What does this mean? Paul is asking us to give our concrete lives over to God. He is not asking us to abandon the world, but rather to be part of its transformation in Christ. The Wise Men had to make a decision to follow a star that would change their lives completely. Like them, we must be prepared to give up the recognition and rewards of the world. We are not to ignore our bodily lives. We are rather to offer them as expressions of God’s mercy.
- Discern. We need to discern God’s will, “what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This is not a matter of following a defined set of rules or a rote pattern. Jesus himself exposed the fallacy of that kind of living. Paul wants us to follow God’s law by walking according to the spirit not the flesh. This requires evaluation and decision. We need to base our lives on the example of Jesus in the context of the full teaching of scripture, including the law. We need also to depend on the wisdom of the Christian community, past and present. Finally, though, we must make choices in faith depending on God’s word and spirit. The wise men chose not to obey Herod and to return a different way.
- Demonstrate. Paul defines the Christian life in basic terms that must be continually applied. First, we need to have a realistic view of ourselves. Focusing on God’s mercy reminds us of our constant need for forgiveness. Second, we need to remember that we are not isolated Christians. We are all part of the one body of Christ. Yet we each have different gifts. The Wise Men each brought a different gift to Christ. Finally, our love must be genuine. It must be based on God’s (not our) mercy. God’s mercy does not ignore sin. It does in fact “hate what is evil” and hold to what is good. Yet this takes place in the cross of Christ which both exposes sin and forgives us. The cross is the victory over sin and evil. It is the ultimate expression of God’s mercy. We are living sacrifices because we live under the cross. As living sacrifices, we both convict and convert the world through Christ.
Questions for Us
- We live in a society which focuses on achievement rather than sacrifice, certainly not sacrifice for others. What are some of the ways we can be “living sacrifices” in our world?
- The Wise Men practiced discernment in not being conformed to their world. First of all, they followed a star to a different kind of savior than they had ever known before. Second, they chose to disobey the king at a critical point. What does the familiar story of the Wise Men teach us about discerning what is “good and acceptable and perfect?”
- How does focusing on “the mercies of God” affect the decisions in our lives? How does it enable us to respond to both the good and the bad in our world?
