Subject: The New Me Romans 12:1-3

Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1,2)

To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations. (3-8)

Paul entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.

Verses 3-8

Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it.

True repentance brings real forgiveness. The outward act of sacrifice was always to include the inward attitude of contrition. Isaiah 66:2-4; Jeremiah 6:20; 7:22-24

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.

Introduction

I Corinthians 6: 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Romans 14:10-12 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 5:12-19

First Adam
   Second Adam
 
Adam
   Christ
 
Came from Earth
   Came from Heaven
 
Was tempted and sinned
   Was tempted and overcame sin.
 
Disobedient to the Law
   Obedient to the Law
 
Defaced the Image of God
   Restore the Image of God
 
Sin imputed to mankind
   Righteousness imputed to His people
 
Brought condemnation into the world
   Brought righteousness to His people.
 
Brought a Curse
   Brought a Blessing
 
Brought death to mankind
   Brought life to His people
 
Failed
   Victorious
 

Through appointed feasts and seasons Israelites were constantly reminded that they were God's holy people. To observe these holy periods was part of their covenant commitment. Leviticus 23-25; Numbers 28,29 They were strategically placed throughout the year by God in order that Israel would not forget the covenant benefits of obedience to God. The great lesson of the book of Leviticus is that the Holy God must have a Holy people, and that this holiness must embrace the whole of life. The New Testament principle is the same 'whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God'. Somewhat like our order of services serves a reminder to us to live Holy!

I. Performing Sacrifices

In all the animal sacrifices of the Mosaic law there were six important acts.

1. The presentation of a perfect sacrifice at the Sanctuary door was done by the sacrificer himself, as his personal act.

2. The laying on of hands. The sacrificer leaned or pressed his hands upon the victim's head. The laying on of hands Leviticus 16:21; Numbers 27:18,20; Deuteronomy 34:9 dedicated the animal to God, and made it the sacrificer's representative and substitute. Numbers 8:10; Leviticus 1:4

3. The slaughtering of the animal. The sacrificer himself slew his sacrifice (at the north side of the altar), and thus actually carried out the dedication to God which he had ceremonially expressed by the laying on of hands. The later custom was for the Levites or priests to slaughter the victims.

4. The pouring out or sprinkling of the blood. The priest collected the blood of the animal in a vessel, and applied it in various ways and places according to the nature of the sacrifice. It was the priests' office to make an atonement Leviticus 4:36, and they made it by the blood. Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 8:15, 16:16, 17:11 This signified the obliterated sins.

5. Burning the sacrifice on the altar. After the priest had properly prepared the sacrificial victim he offered it (the whole or the fat only) upon the altar of burnt-offering. This act symbolized the consecration of the worshipper to Jehovah. The burning of certain parts of the animal upon the altar was to be a sweet-smelling odour to the Lord. Ephesians 5:2

6. The sacrificial meal (in the case of the peace-offering only). The fat having been burnt and the priests' pieces removed, the rest of the flesh was eaten by the sacrificer, his household, and the poorer Levites at the tabernacle. This sacrificial meal represented the mystical union between Jehovah and His people and the joy resulting from it.

The ritual of the three different kinds of animal sacrifices was identical in regard to the presentation, the laying on of hands, and the slaughtering by the offerer himself. The differences related to the application of the blood. The blood of the sin (not trespass) offering was smeared upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering in ordinary cases; it was sprinkled against the veil seven times and put upon the horns of the altar of incense of incense in the sin-offerings of the high priest and the whole congregation; it was also sprinkled on the front of the mercy-seat in the sin-offering on the day of atonement. The remainder of the blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt-offering. The blood of the trespass, burnt, and peace offerings was sprinkled on the altar of burnt-offering round about. This symbolizes sin expiated and the barrier between God and man removed.

The sacrifices themselves had no power to forgive or remove sin. Their purpose was in pointing to Christ who alone is the sacrifice for sin and who can grant forgiveness and deliverance from the wrath of God.

God has called us aside with His view in mind for our lives.

Men are now to bring themselves to God instead of sacrifices to the altar as of old. They are now to be wholly the Lord’s as were the former sacrifices. We are the sacrifice now and must not disfigure the body. I Corinthians