THE DYNAMICS OF DEDICATION
Romans 12:1-2

Introduction:     The first eleven chapters of Romans deal with doctrine. Beginning with chapter 12 the subject is duty. Doctrine and duty cannot be separated. What you believe will affect the way you behave. Truth is something you live, not just something you learn. These two verses are no doubt the clearest and greatest call to dedication found in the Word of God. What is dedication? DEDICATION, n. 1. The act of consecrating to a divine Being, or to a sacred use; solemn appropriation; as the dedication of Solomon’s temple.  2. The act of devoting or giving to. (Illus: there is dedication in all areas of life expound…) When it comes to Christian dedication it is not just for a select few. What is Christian dedication?

I.          AN ACT OF GRATITUDE (V.1)

I’m not dedicating my life to Christ because I have to but because I’ve been given the privilege to. It’s not of guilt. I’m dedicating my life to Christ whole-heartily because of gratitude!

            A.        I Have Free Will

“Beseech” = to beg. If he is begging them what does that imply? They do not have to dedicate their lives to God. They have been given the free will to chose. He is encouraging them to make the right choice. (Illus: I’m so blessed – I do not have to be saved, I can say no to Jesus; He gives me the privilege of accepting His invitation! I do not have to dedicate my life to the Lord – He invites me to that level of Christian experience where there is blessing, power, and understanding). You don’t have to you get to!   

B.         I Have A Family

“Brethren” = brothers and sisters; Jews and Gentiles; the slaves and the masters together in one family. This is the N. T. Gospel – when you get saved you become a part of the Family of God! (Illus: glad for my earthly Christian family – everybody here regardless of circumstance has a family if you’re saved). I’m going to dedicate my life to the Lord because of gratitude.

II.         AN ACT OF SACRIFICE (V.1)

“Mercies” = the compassions of God. Justification, sanctification, and glorification. My standing is in Jesus Christ. This sacrifice of commitment and dedication is a:

            A.        A Lasting Sacrifice

“Present” = once and for all and live your life on the basis of the choice you made! (Illus: you’ve given Jesus your heart, but you haven’t given Jesus your hands, your feet, your all! Lord, from this day forward I’ll live my life for you). This will happen when you make the choice to offer yourself as a sacrifice to God. Some of you need to make this decision today! 

            B.         A Living Sacrifice

“Present yourself” = to yield; to offer up. And it is to be offered up to God! (Expound the
O. T. sacrifice). God now wants you as a living sacrifice (2 examples: Isaac and Jesus -both offered themselves willingly). The problem with living sacrifices is that they can crawl of the altar. Some of you are so tired and worn out because you constantly are crawling off and on the altar!

III.       AN ACT OF WORSHIP (V.2)

            A.        A Sacred Service OF Worship “Holy and acceptable”

            B.         A Sensible Service Of Worship “Reasonable service” (logical)

IV.       AN ACT OF RESISTANCE (V.2)

            A.        Shunning The Mold (pressure)

Constant pressure to conform on the outside to that not present on the inside.

·        “Conform” = pressed or fit into a mold.

·        “World” = world system – the spirit of the age (what’s in it for me?) (Illus: what do I get out of this?) This affects all areas of your life even the area of church attendance.

            B.         Shaping The Mind (power)

·        “Transformed” = a change on the outside that come from within. (Illus: same word use in Matt. 17:2 transfigured). So the Bible says don’t conform and become like the world around you but be transformed and let the Holy Spirit that is in you cause the outside of you reflect what is in you.

·        How do I know that is the work of the Spirit? (2 Cor 3:18 ) "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

V.        AN ACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT (V.2)

How can you be clear on the will of God for your life if you haven’t presented yourself a living sacrifice? If you’re half-hearted how can you know the will of God for your life?

            A.        To A Life Describing God’s Will

Paul uses three identifying adjectives to describe the will of God.

·        It Is Precious -Regardless of what the Lord may ask us to do, we will find in the end that it is good.

·        It Is Pleasant - Pleasant in the sense that when His will is revealed to us, it is something that we are made willing to do.

·        It Is Perfect - Nothing we could add to God's plan would improve it.

            B.         To A Life Demonstrating God’s Will

By yielding our bodies and our minds to God, we will be able to "prove" or "live out" God's will before a world that is looking. When the world sees you and me living lives that are absolutely spiritual, they will know that we have been transformed by the power of the Gospel of grace. We will be the evidence of His power to a perishing world and we will finally be salt and light as we have been commanded to be (Matt. 5:13 -16).

Conclusion:       The secret of living a dynamic life of dedication boils down to God having control of our minds, our bodies and our wills. Does that describe the life you are living today? Is God in absolute control of all you have and are?