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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: Last night we saw Michael Phelps win his 8th Gold Medal at the Olympics. To be that successful it takes discipline
and sacrifice.
The Christian life is a life of sacrifice also. We have a text before us today, a familiar text that speaks about the cost of
holiness - Romans 12:1-2. Holiness is not cheap. It is expensive. If we live this pattern of life, we will be dramatically
different from world and our lives will glorify God. But we have to pay a cost. But too often we don’t want to pay the cost
and we aren’t any different from the world.
ILLUS: Jesse James believed in the Bible, carried and read a NT. but still a robber and murderer. No cost! Mobster Mickey
Cohen back in the 1940’s invited Billy Graham to his home, spoke of having a Bible, giving to charity, but not
interested in holiness. No cost! Survey after survey shows that well over 80% of Americans believe they can arrive at
their own faith on their own terms without any demands on their behavior. No cost! Thus Gallup poll - “religion up,
morality down.”
Further, why isn’t revival taking place in the church? Why aren’t evangelicals turning the world upside down? Many
people want the best of both worlds - pleasures of the sin and holiness - we can’t have them they are incompatible as gas and
water. Which world do you live in? How seriously do we live Romans 12:1-2? Are you willing to pay the cost of holiness?
K.P. Yohannan, The Road to Reality, “Why is there so little power and holiness in our lives? The false religion of
popular Christianity does not ask us to internalize the passion and mind of Christ, surrender our egos, lay aside our
flesh, take up the cross and begin a life-style marked by submission to the will as God... We are seldom asked to
internalize the commands of Christ, to begin a life-style of sacrifice, service and suffering for the sake of our Lord...
All too often, it seems, we’re willing to be students of Christianity rather than disciples of Christ. The fact is
that most of us are substituting learning and information for practical obedience...” (26) Why problem? We are not
willing to pay cost of holiness.
1. Holiness will Cost you your Body v. 1
- Since God is merciful (chpts 1-11) - make a decisive decision to be dedicated to Him, to give our bodies to Christ in
spiritual service.
- Before being a Christian, our bodies for sinful pleasures/purposes, we are called here to use our bodies for godly
pleasures = worship
- Not a dead sacrifice, but living of our bodies.
ILLUS: OT - a killed animal laid out on altar, every animal killed once, sacrifice for sin. NT- Christ is the once
for all sacrifice for sin, we are give ourselves as a living sacrifice, for service.
- Our bodies: our living vigorous active powers, our talents, energies, routine, everyday life - place ourselves before
God as an offering - Isaiah “Here am I, send me.” Mary “Behold, the bondslave of the
Lord.” A decision of dedication, act of faithful loyalty with body.
- Why? 1. Remember God is merciful to us, 2. This is an act of worship everyday thereafter we worship God with our
bodies. I Cor. 6:20. Our body is temple, God lives in us.
- We are to use our bodies as instruments of righteousness, not of sin. Change in lifestyle, change in actions, change in
behavior. This dedication is a living and a holy act - God accepts this sacrifice, it pleases Him.
- You and I need to stand or bow before God and make a commitment of dedication. As a teenager, I went forward to
dedicate myself to full time service. How about you? Conscious acts of dedication, rededication?
2. Holiness will Cost You Your Mind v. 2a
- The world wants your mind. If you are not separated from the world’s systems, it will infiltrate your mind and
warp your thinking - you are conformed to the world.
- “do not be conformed” Greek word only other reference I Peter 1:14
- To be conformed means to live like the world - no different: Believe same things, do the same things, go to the same
places, follow the same trends all at any cost. We have no discernment. We follow the popular culture like a panting
dog.
ILLUS: In Minnesota we had a dog for a couple of months anmed Lacy. She was a retriever and one day was hit by a
car - her carefree character cost her her life.
- The world system is what ever feels good, only here and now, we evolved by chance, do what works, morality is up to
you. It’s FATAL.
- “but be transformed” = “metamorphosed” - changed from within - caterpillar to
butterfly. God can transform your mind, the gospel is life changing. 2 Cor. 3:18
QUOTE Wiersbe: “The world wants to change your mind, so it exerts pressure from without. But the Holy Spirit
changes your mind by releasing power from within.”
- How transformed: Phil 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus.” Last week:
Philippians 4:8 - Think like Christ, think Biblically. Get into the Word and prayer. Christian influences -
media, music, etc.
- Holiness will cost you your mind. Un-holiness will actually be more costly - FATAL. Eternity apart from God. But with
the cost of holiness look what you get in return - the mind of Christ!
QUOTE: Hymn #390 “May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in me from day to day. By His love and power
controlling all I do and say.”
3. Holiness will Cost you Your Will v.2b
- We give God our will - our freedom to make decisions, give up control of self. As Jesus prayed: “Not my will,
but Your will be done.”
QUOTE: Ryrie: “When we dedicate ourselves we are given the ability to discern God’s will.”
- To find the will of God takes disciplined prayer and study. It takes work, but His will shall leap off the pages
clearly. What the Bible says to do - do - or don’t do - that is God’s will.
ILLUS: Examples: I Thess 4:3; 5:18; I Peter 4:2
- God’s will is good (good for us), acceptable (pleases God), perfect (how much better can it be). God sees the big
picture, He has our best in mind.
- Holiness will cost you your will - but look what you get in return - the will of God!
- We have made tough decisions - but trusted the Will of God.
- Need more instruction on holiness? Read verses 3 to end of book.
- Romans is divided neatly into Sin, Salvation, Sanctification. The how’s of holiness are right before your eyes.
CONCLUSION
Are you willing to pay the cost of holiness?
Have you dedicated your body to worship and serve God?
Who controls your mind, your thinking - the world or the Word
Whose will are your following - yours or God’s?
Isaac Watts “Love so amazing, do divine, demands my heart, my life, my all.”
Ray Boltz: “I pledge allegiance to the Lamb, with all my strength, with all I am, I seek to honor His commands, I pledge
allegiance to the Lamb.”
Are you will to pay the cost of holiness?
First be saved. Accept God’s gift of salvation to you
Then set apart. Give yourself to God, seek to become like Christ.
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