Romans 12
A Zac Poonen Sermon Summary
What does it mean to offer ourselves to God, as stated in Romans 12:1?
The Old Testament instructed the Jews to give 10 percent to support the Levites. The New Testament does not teach tithing. Instead, the New Testament teaches that we should offer our whole bodies to God, in view of God’s mercy (Romans 12:1).
God has given us so much. Our body was bought by God at a great price. It is also the house of the Holy Spirit, received from our heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
We should present our bodies to God, repent from our past ignorance (Acts 17:30), and use our bodies to honor Him. This is our worship.
Offering our bodies to God can be like the burnt offering in Leviticus 1, where an animal was cut up into pieces and offered to God. Now, we offer every part of our body as a living sacrifice, not a dead one. For example, give our eyes to God, instead of greedily yearning for other’s property, or looking at things God does not like. Our tongue is not our own anymore. Our ears should not be eagerly listening to gossip. Our hands should do things that honor God.
We can make our bodies do what they should through the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27). We can remove bad habits and discipline ourselves. For example, we should control our appetite, instead of letting our appetite control us. Otherwise, we will live as enemies of Christ (Philippians 3:18-19). Fasting can get rid of intense passion for food and help us understand hunger. Similarly, keep sex within the limits that God has ordained (1 Corinthians 6:12-13).
Peter asked Christ what they would get for giving up everything to follow Him. Christ seemed to respond they should not expect to get more than those who followed Him right before death (Matthew 19:21-20:16). Our heavenly Father has already given us His beloved Son so we can have everlasting life.
Similarly, if we serve anyone in need, we do it for Christ (Matthew 25:34-40). Do not expect gratitude from them.
To conclude, in view of God’s mercy, we should offer our whole bodies to God.
Summarized from a sermon by Zac Poonen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve4c5xSx1eU&feature=youtu.be
The Old Testament instructed the Jews to give 10 percent to support the Levites. The New Testament does not teach tithing. Instead, the New Testament teaches that we should offer our whole bodies to God, in view of God’s mercy (Romans 12:1).
God has given us so much. Our body was bought by God at a great price. It is also the house of the Holy Spirit, received from our heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
We should present our bodies to God, repent from our past ignorance (Acts 17:30), and use our bodies to honor Him. This is our worship.
Offering our bodies to God can be like the burnt offering in Leviticus 1, where an animal was cut up into pieces and offered to God. Now, we offer every part of our body as a living sacrifice, not a dead one. For example, give our eyes to God, instead of greedily yearning for other’s property, or looking at things God does not like. Our tongue is not our own anymore. Our ears should not be eagerly listening to gossip. Our hands should do things that honor God.
We can make our bodies do what they should through the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27). We can remove bad habits and discipline ourselves. For example, we should control our appetite, instead of letting our appetite control us. Otherwise, we will live as enemies of Christ (Philippians 3:18-19). Fasting can get rid of intense passion for food and help us understand hunger. Similarly, keep sex within the limits that God has ordained (1 Corinthians 6:12-13).
Peter asked Christ what they would get for giving up everything to follow Him. Christ seemed to respond they should not expect to get more than those who followed Him right before death (Matthew 19:21-20:16). Our heavenly Father has already given us His beloved Son so we can have everlasting life.
Similarly, if we serve anyone in need, we do it for Christ (Matthew 25:34-40). Do not expect gratitude from them.
To conclude, in view of God’s mercy, we should offer our whole bodies to God.
Summarized from a sermon by Zac Poonen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve4c5xSx1eU&feature=youtu.be