4/6/25 - Romans Part 6: Practical Christian Living - Pastor Josh Stelly

Sermon Notes

Central Idea: Faith in Christ transforms how we love, serve, and engage with the world - not through external rule-keeping but through renewed minds, genuine community love, and faithful presence in society.‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ 

Point 1: Transformed Minds Lead to Transformed LIVES (Romans 12:1-2)

A. The Call to Living Sacrifice 

Romans 12:1 NIV

“The gospel is not just about getting saved from the penalty of sin but about being saved from the power of sin. True worship is not just attending services but offering our entire lives to God.”- Tim Keller, Romans for You, emphasis added 

“When we denigrate our bodies—whether through neglect or staring at our faces and counting up our flaws—we are belittling a sacred site, a worship space more wondrous than the most glorious, ancient cathedral. We are standing before the Grand Canyon or the Sistine Chapel and rolling our eyes.”- Tish Harrison Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life 

B. Renewal of the Mind as the Path to Transformation

Romans 12:2

Matthew 22:37

1 Heart (longings)

2 Soul (emotions)

3 Mind (intellect)

C. Discerning God’s Will Through Transformed Thinking

Romans 12:2b

Practices/Habits that Help Renew Our Mind on Christ: 

1 Daily Scripture Meditation

2 Intentional Prayer

3 Identity Affirmations

4 Media Input Management

5 Community Engagement with Other Believers

6 Worship

7 Solitude and Silence

Point 2: Community Shaped by Genuine LOVE (Romans 12:3-21) 

A. Using Gifts in Proper Perspective

Romans 12:3–8

B. Practical Expressions of Sincere Love

Romans 12:9–16

C. Overcoming Evil with Good

Romans 12:17–21

Point 3: Christian Citizenship in a Complex WORLD (Romans 13:1-14) 

A. The Proper Relationship to Governing Authorities

Romans 13:1–7

B. Love as the Fulfillment of the Law

Romans 13:8–10

C. Living in Light of Christ’s Return

Romans 13:11–14

Bottom Line 

Faith in Christ transforms how we love, serve, and engage with the world - not through external rule-keeping but through renewed minds, genuine community love, and faithful presence in society.‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ 

Spiritual Exercise: 

This practice directly connects to Romans 12:2, which emphasizes being "transformed by the renewing of your mind."  

Here's how you might implement it: 

1 Set aside 10-15 minutes each day this week

2 Choose a verse or short passage from Romans 12-13

3 Read it slowly multiple times

4 Ask yourself questions like:

• What does this reveal about God?

• How does this challenge my current thinking?

• What one aspect of my life might change if I believed this more deeply?

5 End with a brief prayer to embody this truth today