The Online Bible Study posts are designed for discussion. I am posting some key passages from the Bible hoping that you will chime in with your observations, interpretation, questions and applications. Just add your thoughts to the comment section.
1Therefore, 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.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ro 12:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Life and times of the Howitzers 
verses 1-2
1Therefore, 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.
-because of God’s mercy we should live holy and pleasing to God
-when we live holy it is an act of worship
-offering our bodies as a living sacrifice is something really felt like we should do… notice he urges
– definition of urge- 3870 parakaleo { par-ak-al-eh’-o}
from 3844 and 2564; TDNT – 5:773,778; v
AV – beseech 43, comfort 23, exhort 21, desire 8, pray 6, intreat 3, misc 4, vr besought 1; 109
GK – 4151 { παρακαλέω }
1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon
2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
2a) to admonish, exhort
2b) to beg, entreat, beseech
2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty
2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted
2d) to encourage, strengthen
2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging
2f) to instruct, teach
-conclusion this word.. para means along side.. kaleo means call summon or invite… parakaleo means Paul is coming along side to invite, urge them to live sacrificial, holy, humble lives
-we are not to shaped into the world mode
-but rather we are to be changed by having our mind made new
-once our mind is made new.. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—
-Gods will is good, pleasing and perfect.
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vs 3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
-every one of us needs to think rightly of ourselves (humble hearts)
-what does it mean to think with sober judgement???
– 4993 sophroneo { so-fron-eh’-o}
from 4998; TDNT – 7:1097,1150; v
AV – be in right mind 2, be sober 2, be sober minded 1, soberly 1; 6
GK – 5404 { σωφρονέω }
1) to be of sound mind
1a) to be in one’s right mind
1b) to exercise self control
1b1) to put a moderate estimate upon one’s self, think of one’s self soberly
1b2) to curb one’s passions
-we are to evaluate our self by “measure of faith that God has given us” (what does that mean?)—we should evaluate ourselves by realizing that our gifts are from God.. no need to boast about what was given by another.. our only boast is in Him… He is a great giver of gifts
-in a body each of our body parts plays a different role that makes our body as a whole work correctly, in same way God has gifted those who are in Christ to fulfill the different functions of His body : the church
-each member of Christ body belong to one another
-we each have different gifts graced to us by God
– all gifts should be exercised by faith, wholeheartedly in service to God
-Paul list several different gift (the question is: are these categories or gifts or both)
-gift listed: prophesy, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, mercy
-all gifts are to be used not admired, we are called to service not reflection on how gifted we are
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Tim good info. I have been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I have really been convicted concerning the idea of being a lukewarm Christian. If it is even possible to be a lukewarm Christian. So when I read Romans and especially this chapter I have questions about how to define the gifts God has granted me, but more importantly the question is why have I failed to use them. Franis Chan also asked a very convicting question. Other than my salvation experience, what area of my life and I depending on Faith? What am I doing as a servant of Christ, with the gifts he has given me that requires my faith and submission to him? Also John Piper points out that a Christian life requires risk. I guess I know that God has granted me gifts, he has given me a command to be obedient and serve, but I am not sure…I guess I should say that I am confident that I am living a life with little faith and little risk. So my prayer after studying this chapter is that Christ would burden me to be obedient when it comes to using the gifts he has given, and to know that God does not need my abilities as much as he needs my availability (as Bobby Bowden has said).
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@Marty, I appreciate your comments.. I hear you … I know for me that my struggle at times is am I utilizing the gifts God has given me most effectively.. I think the key to not being lukewarm is to identify your gifts (natural and spiritual) and then utilizing them in serving others.. I think doing things with your gifts is very energizing.. the singer has to sing, the administrate need to administrate, the leader needs to lead, the teacher needs to teach.. the challenge in today’s church culture is allowing people to feel good about using their gifts outside the 4 walls of the church.. the way you represent Christ at your school is as much a ministry as teaching Sunday School at your church… I think we are having a bigger impact than we know .. especially if we are walking in love and Christian character on a daily basis
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vs 9-12
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
-sincerity is a core description of true love
-??? how sincere is my love
-??? do I hate what is evil
-??? do I cling to good
-??? am I devote to others in brotherly love
-??? do honor others above myself
-???am I lacking in zeal
-??? do I keep spiritual fervor
-???am I serving the Lord
-???am I joyful in hope
-???am I patient in affliction
-???am I faithful in prayer
-??? do share with God’s people in need
-???do I practice hospitality
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14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
-don’t curse your enemies
-engage with appropriate emotion with the mourners and rejoicer
-to live in harmony with other you must not be proud, be willing to associate with lowly and not be conceited
-what is the difference between pride and conceit?
-we are to live in peace with others.. as far as it is up to you live in peace
-how do we live in peace- learn to live with enemies, do not repay evil for evil, always do the right thing, do not take revenge, leave the avenging for God, do good things for your enemy
-do not let evil win but overcome it with good
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