Romans 11:33 -12:2

Finding peace …in the battle

zone!

Valley Heights Community ChurchJuly 31, 2005

Outline

1. Real worship: Romans 12:1

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

3. Real problem: Ephesians 4:17-19 Romans 1:18-33

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

5. Real application: Stress!

1. Real worship: Romans 12:1

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.

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

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.

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

     2 And do not be conformed to this

world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to)

to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure

a renewal, renovation,complete change for the better

so that

you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and

perfect.

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

so that

you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and

perfect.

To test, to recognize as genuine after

examination, to approve, deem worthy

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

so that

you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and

perfect.

To test, to recognize as genuine after

examination, to approve, deem worthy

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

so that

you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and

perfect.

To test, to recognize as genuine after

examination, to approve, deem worthy

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

behaviorthinking

Right thinking…Transformed thinking

Worship…Living and holy sacrifice

Informed thinking

Knowing enough about GodTruth [the Word] informs our

worshipDoctrine informs our worship

3. Real problem

• Ephesians 4: 17-19

• Romans 1:18-32 

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

   33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

   34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

   35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

   36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

12:1 Therefore…

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

    33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

   34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

   35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

   36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

   33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

    34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

   35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

   36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

   33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

   34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

    35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

   36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

   33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

   34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

   35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

   36  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

   

   

   36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are

all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

John 1:1-3 (NIV)    1 In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was with God in the beginning.     3 Through Him all things were made;

without Him nothing was made that has been made.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

  

   

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Revelation 5:13 (NIV)    13 Then I heard every creature

in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

   "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb    be praise and honor and glory and power,

         for ever and ever!"

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

• Isaiah 40

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

5. Real application

Pressure

$ financial…DEBT

Too little work

Child with cancer

Spouse with cancer

Other health problems

Ailing parents

Friction in relationship

Material envy

Feelings of inadequacy

Natural disaster

Too much work

Lack of essentials

Consequences of sin

Pressure$ financial…

DEBT

Too little work

Child with cancer

Spouse with cancer

Other health problems

Ailing parents

Friction in relationship

Material envy

Feelings of inadequacy

Natural disaster

Too much work

Pressu

re

Pressure

Pressure

Pressure

Lack of essentials

Consequences of sin

Pressure

Stress

Stress

Poor sleep

Anxiousness

Depressed mood

Loss of weight

Loss of appetite

Eating too much

Eating wrong things… comfort eating

Guilty feelings

Decreased energy

Sleeping too much

Distractibility…At home but not there

Irritability

ImpatienceWeepiness

Decreased interest

Poor motivation

Bodily ailments…Ulcer, fatigue,body aches, headaches, chest pain

Decreased concentration

Memory poor

Psychomotor retardation

Suicidal thoughts…Or actions

StressPoor sleep

AnxiousnessDepressed mood

Loss of weight

Loss of appetite

Eating too much

Eating wrong things… comfort eating

Guilty feelings

Decreased energy

Sleeping too much

Distractibility…At home but not there

Irritability

ImpatienceWeepiness

Decreased interest

Poor motivation

Bodily ailments…Ulcer, fatigue,body aches, headaches, chest pain

Decreased concentration

Memory poorInadequate RAM!

Psychomotor retardation

Suicidal thoughts…Or actions

Stress

Stress

Stress

Stress

Pressure

Stress

Talking about itCounselingResolution of the problemSimple timeMedication

How come different people have different responses to the same pressure?

Pressure

Stress

May have NO control…

…We DO have control over how we respond

PerceptionPeacePanic

PressureWhat is the origin of these

pressures?

God claims responsibility

for them!

•Psalm 115:3

•Isaiah 46:9-11

•Lamentations 3:37-38

•Isaiah 45:5-7

Solution?

When experiencing trial/pressure…

Ask yourself the famous 4…

1. Could God have prevented this?

2. Did He choose to?

3. Then what’s the lesson I need to learn from this?

4. How do I glorify Him as I go through this trial?

Solution?• Give thanks in all circumstances

– 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18: – “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything

gave thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

• Remember the purpose of trials– James 1:2-4: – “Consider it pure joy, my brethren, when you

encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Perception...

Panic?The hot potato?Seeking only relief ?Giving God only one option in your prayer?

Perception...

Peace!1 Corinthians 2:16

Philippians 2:12-13Philippians 4:4-9