Trey H. Little

Sermon Text: Romans 12: 1-8

July 3, 2011

Albany, Texas

“In Dependence”

Somebody once said: “Just about everybody will agree that our country is on the move, though there is plenty of argument about the direction.”

I wonder if the same can be said for the Church.

On this Independence Day weekend—I want us to consider how our being dependent on Christ will impact and direct our lives; the Church; and even the country.

Open your Bibles to Romans 12: 1-8—this morning I am going to read from The Message.

There is a story of a young man who believed that buying his first car would be the epitome of all his dreams. He worked hard and saved his money and finally the day arrived when he was able to purchase his “dream machine.” It was a van—beautiful, loaded, and luxurious—as good as they come. It was the result of perfect engineering and design. The young man had every right to expect a great deal from this mechanical marvel, and he drove it off the lot with pride and the aura of a man who knows that destiny and determination have conspired to bring about the perfect union.

The next day, however, the beautiful new van came back to the lot on a tow-truck. It was bent and battered, obviously undriveable. Shortly thereafter the livid owner stormed into the salesman’s office, demanding not only a complete refund, but also threatening to sue for medical damages.

Needless to say, the salesman was a bit startled and asked, “What happened?”

The young man—still fuming—said, “I bought your van and I drove it out to the interstate to give it a test run. I set the cruise control, went to the back to make a cup of coffee, and it ran off the road!” (From a sermon by King Duncan, Excellence in Living)

Could it be that too many of us Christians have put our lives on cruise control? Could it be that we all too often want to sit back, eat, drink, and be merry—enjoying the benefits of the “Good News” without paying too much for it? Could it be that we feel we are entitled; that we expect the church to do everything for us and our families? Could it be that this way of thinking will lead to a major wreck both in our personal Christian lives and in the corporate life of the church?

I think the answer to all of these questions is “Yes.” THEREFORE, this morning, I want to ask you to ponder your “In Dependence.”

Are you depending on God and can He depend on you?

In these first few verses of Romans 12, Paul is basically saying, “So here is what I want you to do—first and foremost, stay “In Dependence” on God.” Eugene Peterson said it like this: “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

I am convinced that one of the biggest tragedies in the Church is the “faithful” forgetting to be faithful. In other words, we Christians talk a big faith game on Sundays but we sit on the bench the rest of the week. But God desires for us to depend on Him and His good and perfect will for our lives—always. “Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” And Paul assures us that when we fix our attention on God rather than the world, God will change us from the inside out.

So here is a question: Do you want to be changed?

“Oh, wait a minute—that’s not a fair question preacher. I mean, that is like one of those trick questions. If I answer “Yes” then you will expect me to do something. But I say “No” then you will get the impression that I think I am perfect.”

So, here is the question: Do you want to be changed?

You see, it doesn’t really matter what I think—it matters what you think. It matters if you think you are nothing apart from God. It matters if you think you are weak and He is strong. It matters if you think He must increase and you must decrease. It matters if you think you want to place everything you have and are before God as an offering. It matters if you think God has done for you what you couldn’t do for yourself. It matters if you think His mercy for you in Jesus Christ is worth laying your life down for. It matters if you think the life and ministry and future of MMPC is dependent on one person or on entire body. It matters if you think you should live your life “independent” of God or “in dependence” on Him.

It matters because you are a part of the body of Christ. Each of us has a function as part of His body—His body of chosen believers. Paul’s words on this were translated by Peterson this way: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him us it in proportion to his faith. If is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Friends, there must be something distinctive about us as Christians. People should be able to see the difference God’s grace in Jesus Christ makes in our daily lives. The church is “who” not “what.” It is a “people” not a “place.” The church doesn’t have a mission the mission has a church. And Paul urges the church to determine if we will CONFORM or be TRANSFORMED.

You see, we are very good at CONFORMING and God is the best at TRANSFORMING. But here is the hard truth—transformation will not happen just by putting on different clothes, or singing certain hymns, or changing a Sunday school curriculum, or telling people we are members of a church. Transformation is an act of God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and by the ongoing work of His Holy Spirit. A transformed life is one in which Christ lives and rules and directs every aspect of one’s life. It is a life that is Christ-centered rather than self-centered.

So—where do you see God at work in your life—will you allow Him to transform your vision? What would you like to see God do in the next 6-12 months—will you allow Him to transform you to be the catalyst for it to happen? Where are you conforming to the ways of the world—will you allow Him to transform your heart and mind to His ways?

As I think about the future of MMPC I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy. I sincerely believe the future is very bright for this particular body of Christ. However, it is crucial that you remain “in dependence” on Him and that He can depend on you to be the people He has called and equipped you to be.

THEREFORE, I encourage you—in view of God’s mercy—to offer your bodies as living sacrifices. Take your faith off of cruise control and kick your sacrificial living and giving in gear. Allow God to take control of your life; allow Him to use you; allow Him to push you. Because here is the reality—the future of MMPC depends on it.

If you read the Albany News this week then you probably saw the big ad about fireworks. It was at least a quarter page ad that said, “Due to extreme dry conditions the sale and use of all fireworks in Shackelford County is strictly prohibited through the 4^th of July holiday, 2011. Violators will face fines up to $500.”

Great idea yet, when I saw that ad—a different thought came to my mind. The last place we need to ban fireworks is in the church. The conditions in the world around us are so spiritually dry and it is time for the church to get fired up for Jesus. It is time for us to stop banning passion and start living like we really believe in the Risen Lord. Jesus did not come to “prohibit” life but instead to “give it.” And I think you guys have just enough “firecracker” in you to really make a BANG for the Kingdom.

If you think about it—“In dependence” is a way of life. Over 2000 years ago, Jesus declared our Independence on the Cross.

Together, may we always celebrate and respond to our freedom!

AMEN.