There are a lot of things in our world that transform.

An electrical transformer transforms electricity from one circuit to another.

A Convert-a-bench transforms from a bench into a table.

An Aquamobile transforms from a car into a boat.

Of course, the most famous thing that transforms is a Transformer, which is an alien/robot that transforms into a vehicle.

For something to transform means that it changes from one thing into a different thing.

Well, as we come back to the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul is calling us to be transformed.

Today’s sermon is entitled, “Transformed Living for Transformed People.”

Let’s go to the Lord in prayer and then let’s learn about transformation in the life of a follower of Jesus.

(prayer)

It’s important to realize as we study the book of Romans, that a shift takes place here in chapter 12. Romans 1-11 are primarily theological in nature. Paul wants us to understand who God is and what He has done in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Starting in Romans 12, Paul wants us to understand how we are to live as those who have been changed by Jesus.

In today’s passage, we’re going to learn at least four ways that we can be transformed.

Today, we’re going to do something a little different. We’re going to skip verses 3-8 and come back to those next time. They deal with a specific topic that I want to cover by itself.

So, today, we’ll focus on transformation as seen in Romans 12:1-2, and 9-21.

First, let us learn to . . .

I. Be transformed by being renewed.

Look at what Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Notice right away what Paul says in verse 1.

He says, “Therefore.” Of course, anytime there’s a therefore, we need to pay attention to what it’s there for.

This therefore is there to refer back to all that Paul has described in the first eleven chapters of the book of Romans.

Then, Paul says “ . . . in view of the mercies of God.”

What Paul has described in Romans 1-11 is the wonderful, deep, rich, and amazing mercies of God.

God is full of mercy and while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

So, since God is merciful and has shown His mercy to us, Paul urges us to do something. Paul says, “I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

Because Jesus sacrificed on our behalves, we can be rescued from sin, we can be made new, we are adopted as children of God, we have homes prepared for us in heaven, and we have eternal paradise that awaits us.

So, since God has shown us mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus we are to live as living sacrifices.

We are to live our lives in such a way that our lives are holy and pleasing to God.

By the way, Paul is going to go into some specifics of what a life that is holy and pleasing to God looks like in just a moment.

Notice that Paul concludes verse 1 by pointing out that this act of living as a sacrifice is not an act of obligation.

What is it? What does your Bible say?

“This is your true worship.” When we live as sacrifices, we are worshiping the Lord.

We should desire to glorify and worship God as we live our lives in sacrifice to God.

Next, Paul speaks of the transformation part. He says in verse 2, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed.”

We are not to be like everyone else in this world and in this age. We are instead to be like Jesus and to be all who God created and called us to be.

God has a purpose for our lives and, in Jesus, we can recover and pursue that purpose.

Sin marred us, sin changed us, and sin distorted God’s image in us. However, in Jesus we are healed, in Jesus we