Sermon, September 6, 2009 - Why Give Myself to God? Part 2
Romans 12.1 Why give myself to God? Part 2
Paul gives two reasons why we should be concerned to live a genuine Christian life:
1. The word “therefore” shows us that our beliefs are connected to our behavior
2. The phrase “by the mercies of God” shows us what God has done to enable us to live for Him.
A. WHY MERCY?
1. God’s holiness [1 Pet 1.13-16]
2. God’s love [1 John 4.19]
3. God’s grace [Rom 12.3]
4. God’s mercies
B. WHAT IS MERCY?
1. Our guilt is answered by God’s grace
2. Our misery is answered by God’s mercy
He hath with a piteous eye
Looked upon our misery
For His mercies aye endure
Ever faithful, ever sure [from Psalm 136, John Milton]
C. WHAT MERCY IS PAUL TALKING ABOUT?
1. Set free from the wrath and curse of God [Rom 5]
2. Set free from slavery to sin [Rom 6]
3. Set free from the law [Rom 7]
4. Set free from death [Rom 8]
D. WHAT AM I TO DO WITH THESE MERCIES?
1. Meditate on His many mercies
With eyes wide open to the mercies of God…give Him your bodies as a living sacrifice [JB Phillips]
2. Experience His many mercies [5.21; 6.22-23; 7.25; 8.38-39]
The basis and spring of sanctification are union with Christ [John Murray]
John Olson
