Sermon Tone Analysis

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*Valley of Daily Duty*

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*ROM.

12:1-2*

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*John W. Worley, Ph.D.*

\\ *11~/11~/00 Veterans Day*

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*Dad,*

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*You have always been an inspiration to me, from the first day I met you.

You really are a great example to me and my family.

An example of strength, love, and wisdom distributed with tenderness.

I love you.*

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*This note is to let you know the deep respect I feel for your bravery and sacrifice you made as a soldier.

Thank you for protecting our land and our generations.*

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*To the bravest soldier I know, I salute you.*

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*Love, Joe*

\\ *Valley of Daily Duty*

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• Look out for number one.

• Life is short, so grab all the gusto you can.

• You can have it all in the here and now.

• Don't be a mat for anyone.

• If someone knocks you down, get up and hit him harder.

• Winning is everything.

• People only remember those who come in first, so don't settle for second.

I could continue the list, but you get the picture.

You see it everyday—through television, movies, sports events, newspapers, countless books, friends, and family.

Getting what you want, when you want it, as often as you want it, and however you want it is our society's message.

It's what we're supposed to go after, to model.

It's presented as the key to living happily ever after.

But is it true?

Can it really deliver what it promises?

The Bible says no. Serving self first will never bring lasting happiness.

Sure, it may feel good for the short haul.

In fact, you may even feel as if you deserve to have your needs and wants met above those of others.

But if you really live with self-service as your goal, you will miss genuine, lasting joy.

You will miss the Christian life and all the blessings that come with it because the life we are to live through Christ begins with other-service, which is just another name for self-sacrifice.

But don't misunderstand me.

This is not the kind of sacrifice where you flagellate yourself until others feel better or get what they want.

No.

This is transformed sacrificial living.

It changes our character, our minds, our hearts, until our most basic drive in life is to help others, to serve them in every way we can so they too will not only see but desire and even begin to live and enjoy the life of other-centered living in Christ

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“How can this be?

It seems so backward, so contrary to the way our society wants us to live.”

That's just the point.

God's perspective is right-side up, while ours is really upside down.

We think our viewpoint is normal, but it isn't.

Our perspective is messed up, confused, irrational.

God's is perfect, clear, and eminently rational.

So if you have to, work through this message standing on your head—intellectually and practically, that is.

Paul is about to reorient our thinking so it resembles God's*.*

\\ *ROMANS 12:1-2*

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*NIV*

*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. 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.

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EXEGESIS OF ROMANS 12:1-2

 

The term “*exegesis”* refers to the historical investigation into the meaning of the Biblical text.

Exegesis, therefore, answers the question,

 

What */did/* the Biblical author */mean/*?

It has to do with */what /*he said (the content itself) and */why/* he said it at any given point (the literary context).

Furthermore, exegesis is primarily concerned with intentionality: What did the author */intend/* his original readers to understand?

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*BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS* 

 

1.

In chapters 1-8 the plan of salvation (doctrinal) is presented.

2.              The hope of Israel (dispensational) in chapters 9-11.

3.

And an exhortation to godliness (devotional) in chapters 12 to 16.

 

*Doctrine **must be followed by duty **for privilege brings responsibility and precept **must have practice**.*

*Doctrine* (precept, teaching, tenet, principle, rule, canon, creed, dogma) *must be followed by duty*

 

for privilege (advantage, carte blanche, entitlement, due, liberty, license) brings responsibility

 

and *precept* (rule, decree, law, ordinance, regulation, principle) *must** have practice*.

From the pinnacle of glorious exultation over the greatness of God in the last verses of Romans chapter 11, believers are brought to the valley of daily duty.

The journey in the valley is not annoying, not tiring, it is down-to-earth.

The plane of service is made easy because of the glorious heights of Christian doctrine (teaching) and experience.

The laws of Christian life are discussed in 12:1 to 13:7;

The laws of Christian love are discussed in 13:8 to 16:24.

Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 12 deal with the Christian attitude toward fellowmen.

Verses 3-13 consider the Christian attitude toward fellowmen.

Verses 14-21 discuss the Christian attitude toward enemies.

Service to God is vitally related to consecration and separation.

Paul does not command, he requests.

The kindness of our Lord, not his stern command, is the basis of the appeal.

Believers consecrate themselves to God because of His forgiveness.

The glorious leniency listed in the previous chapters, including:

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*justification by faith (Rom.

4:18-25), *

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*assurance (Rom.

5:1-11) , *

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*freedom from the penalty and power of sin (Rom.

6:1-14), *

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*the promise of ultimate glorification(Rom.

8:12-17)*

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*These are the bases for moving Christians toward God.*

 

Believers’ bodies are to be presented (offered) as a* living sacrifice *in contrast to the dead sacrifices of the Levitical priesthood.

We as fallen creatures can be cleansed and become holy and acceptable.

The body is physical, but the intent seems to include all members and faculties.

That is reasonable (intelligent) service.

The call is for non-conformity to the world.

This is not merely an outward act of self-renunciation.

Anything that would displease God and dishonor His holy name is conformity to the world.

The Christian is to have God’s viewpoint in relation to the world.

The word *world* refers to the spirit that moves humans contrary to the will of God, the spirit of selfishness, the pleasing of self, and submission to the devil.

*J.B.

Phillips renders it: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.”*

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The Christian is to be transformed (transfigured, or changed) by the renewing of his mind.

/Metamorphoo/, translated “*transformed”* here, occurs four times in the New Testament, twice in the account of the Transfiguration and in 2 Corinthians 3:18 where it is rendered *“changed.”*

\\ From these instances believers gain insight as to how to live the transfigured life.

When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, God’s glory shone through Him, not upon Him.

Even so, the indwelling Christ is to control the believer’s entire being so he will reflect His glory.

This is what God’s will is; it is good, acceptable, and therefore perfect.