Ink & Fire: Words that Changed the World Part Twelve: Full Custody Micaiah Irmler Romans 12:1-2 NKJV A Break Down of the Book of Romans: Chapter 1 - 3 Sin Chapters 3 - 5 Salvation Chapters 6 - 8 Sanctification Chapters 9 - 11 Sovereignty Chapters 12-16 Service Note: Paul is makes a decisive turn — from doctrine to duty, from believing to behaving. From Mercy to Mission We don’t die on God’s altar — we come alive there. Remember: God is not saying lay down your life and die but to come alive in devotion to Him. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 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. 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. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Note: In that time you would have a local synagogue but you would still make a trek, a journey, a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice. Note: Think for a second how hard was Paul’s Journey to get to Rome? It was so difficult. You would think Paul is letting them off the hook but instead he is flipping the whole system on its head. Note: You don’t need to go to Jerusalem. You are the temple. Note: Isaac is the only one placed on an altar. Note: Present - Only the priest could present the sacrifice. We are priests with God. Note: Present - Means to offer. Offer what? Offer your body. You are not just the priest you are the offering. Note: We hear the word offer and we hear it like an offer so if I like the offer I can take it or leave it. Remember: Living Sacrifice Changes the Altar Location. Note: In the old system, the altar was in the temple. Now, the altar is you. Note: You carry the altar with you — everywhere becomes holy ground when you live surrendered. Note: If you are dying daily than its no longer death but the only way to live. Before service there is sacrifice. We have people trying to use their gifts without having gone through the proper process. You See Death God Sees Devotion vs. 1-2 It's a posture that positions you to fulfill your purpose. What kind of death is this? Jesus died physically we die. Devotion is the Fuel for vs. 3-8 I meet people with discipline and determination but without devotion their life becomes spiritually dry. Diligence vs. 11 Formed. Function. Fervent. Overcome. No Matter Your There is in the Portion God Gave You. Your gifted for His glory. Note: I love to get a gift. I also love to give a gift. What if the gift you give was the gift of giving yourself everyday to the one who needs nothing but says today is a new day to give you the one thing you’ve wanted and that is me. Question: Are you like me when you see a list of tasks you like to start with the one that you want to do? Putting off the others? Note: I have really good days. Question: How many of you have those really good days? Note: Paul shifts from doctrine (Romans 1–11) to duty (Romans 12–16). First comes what God has done, then what we do in response. Question: What does it mean to be in the will of God? Note: It means to be on the altar. It means surrendered. Remember: God won’t transform what you won’t transfer. Remember: Your gift isn’t a trophy—it’s a tool. Definition: The Greek word for “renewing” (anakainōsis) means a continual renovation, like a house that’s always being updated. Note: Paul’s command comes after “present your bodies” (v. 1) Remember: A surrendered body without a surrendered mind will drift back to old patterns. Remember: The enemy’s main strategy is deception — if he can shape how you think, he can shape how you live. Remember: The Christian life is not about adding God to your schedule — it’s about surrendering your schedule to God. We keep the things that cost the most off the altar. Note: Holy, Acceptable, Unstoppable Living Proof. Only a burning heart can help a cold world. Note: Apathy is the assassin of anointing. Question: What’s draining my zeal right now — sin, schedule, or self-reliance? Note: Fervent in Spirit means boiling over. God is not restoring you. Renew does not means restore. If you are struggling with the old you its because you haven’t put it on the altar. Abraham put Isaac on the altar. Note: Present your body or a better way to say it would be your body is a present for God. When God has custody over your life you will see its a life of a . When God has full custody over our life then we can live the life we were created for. When God has full custody our choices reflect the and not culture. When God has full custody the life we thought we wanted is with the life He intended.