A LIFESTYLE of SERVICE
Romans 12:1-11; Selected Scriptures
By
Aaron Simpson, M.Div.
May 28, 2023
Responsive Reading – Romans 12:1-11 (NASB)
Leader: 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and
holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship
Congregation: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.—
Leader: 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a
measure of faith. .
Congregation: 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the
same function,
Leader: 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Congregation: 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use
them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Leader: 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
Congregation: 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with
diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness
Leader: 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Congregation: 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in
honor
Everyone: 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
A LIFESTYLE of SERVICE
1. You must make YOURSELF AVAILABLE to SERVE.
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB) – Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship2 And
do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you
may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV) – For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Matthews 36:20 (NASB) – It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among
you shall be your servant
Mark 10:45 (NASB) – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
His life a ransom for many.”
John 13:16 (NIV) – Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger
greater than the one who sent him.
2. You must discover your GIFTS and AREA of SERVICE for the body to FUNCTION
efficiently
Romans 12:3-8 (NASB) – For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has
dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the
members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given
to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use
it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with
liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
2 Timothy 3:17 (NASB) – So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work
A. Within the Community of Faith
Romans 12:10,13 (NASB) – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one
another in honor; 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality
Hebrews 6:10 (NASB) – For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have
shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
B. Outside the Community of Faith
Romans12:16 (NASB) – Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind,
but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation
Associate with–
3. You must serve with PASSION and ENTHUSIASM
Romans 12:11 (NASB) – Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
Lagging –
Diligence –
Fervent –
Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB) – Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for
men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ
whom you serve.
Ephesians 6:7 (NASB) – With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men
L.I.F.E. Group Questions
1. Has there been a time when you can recall presenting yourself to God as a living sacrifice? If
not, how about today?
2. What do you need to do make yourself more available for service?
3. In what areas of your life do you feel you need to sacrifice more to be more available for God?
4. Have you discovered your spiritual gift(s)?
5. How can changing the way you think help you to transform your lifestyle more into one of
service?
6. In what area(s) of service do you feel God calling you to serve?
7. What do you need to do, from this point forward, to maximize your talent, skills and abilities
and let God work through you?
8. Do you feel your gifts and talents help the body of Christ function more effectively within the
community of faith or outside the community of faith?
9. Why is it important to have enthusiasm and passion in all you do when serving the Lord?
10. What can you do to keep yourself motivated to serve?
Dr. Elliott Mallory-Greene “The Quality of Mercy” (Matthew 5:7) Media
Main Idea:
Those who have experienced God’s mercy in Christ will show it to others and so demonstrate their
Christly character and their destiny as those who will receive mercy at the last day.
Restatement:
Those who are merciful are so because they have been saved by the mercy of God in Christ, and now live
in it.
A. Mercy is where ministry meets misery.
1. The first four beatitudes focused primarily on a state of mind; however, this beatitude adds to the
state of mind nuance the readiness to act.
2. Mercifulness requires action.
3. What does it mean to be merciful?
a. Mercy means sympathy or compassion toward the needy or guilty.
b. Mercy means taking on the suffering of others; not just sympathy but empathy.
c. Mercy includes both feelings and actions.
d. Toward the needy, the merciful person offers help.
e. Toward the guilty, the merciful person deals compassionately with them.
f. God’s actions in Christ are pictured as merciful.
g. Hebrew 2:17 shows how Christ“ had to be made us his brothers [and sisters] [namely us] in
every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of
God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
h. Mercy in the heart and actions of one who professes Christ is a paternity test.
i. Mercy is a kindness exhibited to someone caught in an offense against you.
B. Those who exhibit mercy shall receive it, especially through the Christ atoning work on the cross in
service and sacrifice to His Father.
C. But also mercy is a quality that the Body of Christ must evidence because we are organically
connected to Christ.
