Mercy Me

Notes: Mercy Me

Pastor Jeff L

Harvest OC

Valor

April 2, 2019

We can’t separate doctrine and duty - they always go together.

If we seek our roots down deep into Romans 1-11 well produce much fruit in our obedience of Romans 12 - 14

“Mercy is not something God has, got something God is.” - A.W. Tozer

Romans 12:1 NKJV

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Paul is appealing to us through the mercies of God shown in Romans 1 through 11.

Response #1 to God’s mercy - A surrendered life.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Christ died for us and shed His blood so we could be safe.

What’s does it mean to be a living sacrifice.

We present or bodies. Living sacrifices.

Since 2005, about 90,000 Christians per year have been martyred. That’s about 2 million people, or one every 6 minutes!

We are to live holy lives, set apart for a special purpose.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are to live acceptable to God. Emphasis of that sentence is “to God.”

Living a committed life to Christ, is a logical response to Christ.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” - Jim Elliot

Whatever passage you read, do these four things:

Read it through.

Think it clear.

Pray it in.

Live it out.

Response #2 to God’s mercy - A serving heart.

Romans 12:4-8 NKJV

[4] For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [7] or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; [8] he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking about yourself less.” - C.S. Lewis

The church is very diverse, but it should work in unison like an orchestra.

We all receive a spiritual gift as believers. We don’t always start out knowing what our gift is. God decides what our gift is.

We don’t chose our gift, but it’s our responsibility to find out what it is.

Gifts our given to us to use them.

Romans 12:6 NKJV

[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

Response #3 to God’s mercy - a spiritual mind.

Romans 12:9-21 NKJV

[9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. [10] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; [11] not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; [12] rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; [13] distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. [16] Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. [20] Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We work to think and act and have attitudes that our Godly and Spiritual.

Love is to be done without hypocrisy and with humility.

J.O.Y.

Jesus 1st

Others 2nd

Yourself last

Romans 12:12 NKJV

[12] rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Koinonia is one of the richest words in the New Testament. More than just hospitality and fellowship.

Entertaining people in your home is not the same as hospitality. Entertaining is showing off your home, hospitality is sharing your home that was a gift from your Savior.

Romans 12:15 NKJV

[15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Rejoice, don’t become envious. When one is weeping do not be uncaring.

Romans 12:16 NKJV

[16] Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Unity, humility and honesty.

Romans 12:17 NKJV

[17] Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Our society does not agree with that. The devil says repay evil for good.

Society says repay evil for evil, good for good. God says repay good for evil.

Never stop asking God for forgiveness. His mercy is greater than our sins.

Best regards, 

Adam