BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S DEMONSTRATORS--ROMANS 12:1-2

BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S DEMONSTRATORS

ROMANS 12:1-2

Introduction:

People are always demonstrating for something or the other. Well, it is time that Christians demonstrated that the Lord has made a change in their lives.

It is time that our lives were dedicated to the One who saved us from our sins. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Let’s demonstrate what the Lord can do in our lives and in whomsoever will trust Christ as Saviour.

I. GOD’S PEOPLE

A. Professed Christians that are CHRIST-LIKE, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

1. Those that demonstrate the NEW MAN, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

2. Those that demonstrate that they are a NEW CREATURE, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

a. We demonstrate that we are NO LONGER instruments of unrighteousness, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

b. We demonstrate that sin NO LONGER DOMINATES us, Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

B. Professed Christians that are NOT like Christ, 2 Peter 2:9-10, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

1. Those that demonstrate their CARNALITY, Romans 8:5-6, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

2. Those that demonstrate their PRESUMPTUOUSNESS (shameless and irreverently daring), Numbers 15:30, “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”

3. Those that demonstrate their SELF-CENTEREDNESS (self-pleasing, doing their own will), Proverbs 21:24, “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”

a. Their pride brings CONTENTION, Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”

b. Pride and selfishness is NOT of the Father, 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

II. GOD’S IMITATORS AND FOLLOWERS

A. FOLLOWERS of the Apostle Paul,

1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

1. An ENSAMPLE (the mark or impression of a stroke or blow, a print), John 20:25, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

a. The MARKS of a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

b. The MARKS of a clean life, Luke 5:12-13, “And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.”

1) The CANKER of sin is compared to gangrene, a disease by which any part of the body suffering from inflammation becomes so corrupted that, unless a remedy is soon applied, the evil continually spreads, attacks other parts, and at last eats away the bones.

2) The CLEANSING POWER of Christ, Luke 6:18-19, “And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”

2. An EXAMPLE (something shown), Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”

B. FOLLOWERS of God, Ephesians 5:1, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”

1. Walk in LOVE, Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

2. Let not UNCLEANNESS be named among you, Ephesians 5:3-5, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

3. Let no man deceive you with VAIN WORDS, Ephesians 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

CONCLUSION

Too many Christians are giving a bad testimony in the world today. They look, sound and smell like to world to the point that they have no testimony for Jesus Christ at all. The hypocrites (ACTORS) playing a part. Their friends see them as they really are, just RELIGIOUS and nothing more.

We who know Christ will not be dominated by sin. Rather God can make us instruments of Righteousness.