1. “Finding God’s Will – 2” Romans 12:1-2 06\07\2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

2. “Finding God’s Will – 2” Introduction –Some people think that God is a big spiritual vending machine. –It doesn’t work like that. –God wants a relationship, and it isn’t on our terms, it’s on his terms. Introduction –Some people think that God is a big spiritual vending machine. –It doesn’t work like that. –God wants a relationship, and it isn’t on our terms, it’s on his terms.

3. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1, NIV)

4. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

5. “Finding God’s Will – 2” –This passage teaches us to conceptualize, rather than to create a formula, for how to find God’s will. –The language is that of sacrificial ritual: –This passage teaches us to conceptualize, rather than to create a formula, for how to find God’s will. –The language is that of sacrificial ritual:

6. “Finding God’s Will – 2” –God’s mercy –offer your bodies as living sacrifices –holy and pleasing –your spiritual act of worship –God’s mercy –offer your bodies as living sacrifices –holy and pleasing –your spiritual act of worship

7. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 2 be able to test and approve what God’s will is (Romans 12:2) 10 “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship [proskuneo] the Lord your God, and serve [latreuo] him only.’” (Matt. 4:10) 2 be able to test and approve what God’s will is (Romans 12:2) 10 “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship [proskuneo] the Lord your God, and serve [latreuo] him only.’” (Matt. 4:10)

8. “Finding God’s Will – 2” –proskuneo – a distinct act of worship –latreuo – a way of life. 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, –Proskuneo implicitly implies that the worshipper in already in covenant relationship with God: –proskuneo – a distinct act of worship –latreuo – a way of life. 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, –Proskuneo implicitly implies that the worshipper in already in covenant relationship with God:

9. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4) 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4)

10. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

11. “Finding God’s Will – 2” –For Christians, the only acceptable sacrifice is not a dead animal, but rather themselves. –Romans 6:13 is the index to Paul’s meaning here: –For Christians, the only acceptable sacrifice is not a dead animal, but rather themselves. –Romans 6:13 is the index to Paul’s meaning here:

12. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

13. “Finding God’s Will – 2” –In other words, we can’t find God’s will unless we… 1 … offer [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). –In other words, we can’t find God’s will unless we… 1 … offer [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

14. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 1 In the beginning God said, let there be light and there was light. (Genesis 1:1)

15. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that was is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

16. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 17 God holds all things together by his powerful word. (Hebrews 1:3)

17. “Finding God’s Will – 2” –In v. 2 Paul teaches how to put this type of faith into practice.

18. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

19. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 1. Do not conform to the pattern of this world. 2. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformation means getting our head changed. It is getting Christ into our heads. 1. Do not conform to the pattern of this world. 2. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformation means getting our head changed. It is getting Christ into our heads.

20. “Finding God’s Will – 2” If you want to renew your mind, you have to start with God’s Word. Not with your experience or the collective human experience but God’s Word. If you want to renew your mind, you have to start with God’s Word. Not with your experience or the collective human experience but God’s Word.

21. “Finding God’s Will – 2” Five Foundational Concepts: 1. God wants to guide you much more than you want to be guided. 2. When you commit yourself to knowing God intimately in every area of your life, he takes personal responsibility to make sure that you do His will. Five Foundational Concepts: 1. God wants to guide you much more than you want to be guided. 2. When you commit yourself to knowing God intimately in every area of your life, he takes personal responsibility to make sure that you do His will.

22. “Finding God’s Will – 2” 3. If you truly want to do God’s will, you will do it. 4. If you truly want to do God’s will, it will be impossible for you not to do it. 5. Guidance comes through obedience in the ordinary. Conclusion 3. If you truly want to do God’s will, you will do it. 4. If you truly want to do God’s will, it will be impossible for you not to do it. 5. Guidance comes through obedience in the ordinary. Conclusion

23. “Finding God’s Will – 2” Romans 12:1-2 06\07\2009 Dr. Dane Boyles