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Church of Christ
Sermons and Lessons for 2012 |
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Bobby Stafford |
From the Inside Out
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Christian Living |
February 5, 2012 |
Sunday PM Sermon |
From the Inside Out
Introduction:
When you
squeeze a toothpaste tube, it ends up taking its shape from the
outside. It eventually ends up empty – nothing on the inside. On
the other hand, an empty balloon has little shape at first. But as
air is blown into it from the outside, it takes a new shape from the
inside out. It will hold that shape as long as there is air in it.
This
illustrates the two choices each of us has for our lives. We can be
squeezed by the forces of the world and allow this to shape our
values, attitudes, and beliefs. Or we can be reshaped from the
inside out by God’s Word.
Text:
Romans
12:1-8
Body:
I. The
Reason for Transformation
-
“Therefore”
– Paul has written about God’s great love and mercy for us. (Romans
5:6-8)
So he beseeches, implores, appeals to, and begs Christians to
live on the basis of God’s mercies - all of God’s wonderful
provisions that He had made for our salvation.
-
“Sacrifice”
– There must be a willing sacrifice. Every sacrifice
requires a death. (Romans
6:12-13, 19), Also
(Colossians 3:5) Don’t use your members for these things.
-
“Holy”
– (I
Peter 1:14-16)
God is the standard of morality.
-
“Acceptable”
– (II
Corinthians 5:9)
Our service is to be rational, intelligent, and sincere.
-
This
transformation is prompted by remembering God’s mercies.
II. The
How of Transformation
A.
-
Don’t
let the world squeeze you into its mold. Don’t conform to the
world’s way of thinking and acting. Don’t become like the
nations around. (II
Corinthians 6:16b-17)
Be distinctive. (I
Peter 2:9-10)
-
The
world is materialistic. Don’t be molded by the world. The
world believes success is measured by how much money you have
and the amount of your possessions. “Keeping up with the Jones’
” (Matthew
6:19-21)
-
The
world doesn’t believe in a standard of right and wrong. Don’t
be molded by the world’s lack of standards. The world says, “If
it feels good, do it.” (I
Corinthians 9:27)
-
The
world says there are many ways to God. One is as good as
another. No one should say that there is only one way. (John
14:6)
B.
-
Instead
of being molded by the world, let God reshape your mind from the
inside out. Our lives will become an expression of the good,
acceptable, and perfect will of God.
-
“Renewing
of mind” – (Ephesians
4:22-24)
This is a gradual change. (II
Corinthians 3:18)
The change starts on the inside and works its way out. This
comes about as we read, understand, and apply the Word of God.
(II
Timothy 3:16-17)
III. The
Result of Transformation
-
Have the
proper estimate of yourself. A certain amount of
self-confidence is needed; but not to the point of it becoming
pride. (Proverbs
3:7-8)
-
Each
Christian is to use his abilities and strengths for the body of
Christ. We must use them wholeheartedly: teaching, encouraging,
serving, giving, exhorting, leading, . . . (I
Corinthians 12:18)
Invitation:
Which path
are you taking? Are you being squeezed by the world or are you
being shaped by God?
Bobby
Stafford
February 5,
2012
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