Romans Chapter 12 verses 1 and 2: The Artistry of Life

Today we're looking at how God works like an artist in our lives, as described by the Apostle Paul in  Romans Chapter 12 verses 1 and 2.

Contact Pastor Smart from our Church website or send email.
hope4tampa.com/smartalk
smartalk@hope4tampa.com


Music: Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Transcript

Romans chapter 12 vs 1 to 2     The Artistry of Life  

Introduction: what forms us? Family DNA, nature/nurture, the land…Pasolini Quote. “I wanted a Christ whose face expressed the strength and decisiveness that we find in the faces of the medieval painters”. He wanted “a face that reflected the arid and stony places where he taught”. When you value something or someone you give them permission to add to who you are. We want to look at the greatest influence and the greatest end result in forming who we are. The two come together here in these words from Rm.12.1-2.  

1.     Our Lives on Canvas 

a.     The Canvas: Therefore - eleven chapters sweeping through human nature 1-3, God’s plan to save the world through sending his Son Jesus Christ, 4-7, life in the power of the Holy Spirit chapter 8 the place that Jewish people still have in that 9-11, ends here therefore.

-        It’s like chapter 12 onwards are a giant canvas – local Scottish artist Alan MacDonald Kiltarlity- and each of these themes are like a pot of paint splashed over the white canvas and then crafted into a huge portrait. 

-        Objective- for all the world to see- what the handiwork of Christ looks like when he works within people- individually- but including all the outward ripples of their relationships. 

b.    The Consequences: I urge you, - implore/exhort- gives us a sense of the force- the significance Paul sees to this moment- like a true fan with a surge of emotions doing everything in his power to persuade people to come along to a showing of his favourite artist. Think of the consequences if not- Christian portraits that look like they were painted by 5 years olds having a tantrum! What would that say about Jesus as an artist! For he paints in conjunction with us - he would guide our hands as we draw a pencil line, he would shows us how to sculpt clay and apply the right techniques. 

c.     The Corporate Picture: Think of this church as an art gallery- what kind of portraits are we painting? Think too in terms of a mosaic- corporately- what does it all look like together- brothers and sisters. No hint of the Jewish/Gentile divisions that existed in the church in Rome- addresses them all as one. it is that corporate aspect that will most clearly speaks well of what Christ has done.

-        When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world. C.S. Lewis

2.     The Artistry of God  

 a.     The Inspiration behind the painting - in view of God’s mercy(s), The view- motivational- what could be more motivating than what you see of God’s mercy to us- the life, the death, the resurrection of Christ done for YOU. So back to chapter 1-11- everything Jesus has done to save us from Hell and save us for Heaven and to make this world a better place because we have lived in it. Like two huge friezes- hell on one side Heaven on the other…and in the middle…

b.    The Completed Picture: to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, - Pauls’ readers knew all about alters and animal sacrifices- everywhere in that culture. 

-        Living—stresses- ongoing lived experience. But…“The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar.”

-        But if Christ gave up heaven and suffered Hell in order to purchase us and now like a huge lump of granite- chips away and creates something like Michelangelo’s David from the rock- what else can we offer? We contribute nothing to our salvation because we have no skin in the game to try and negotiate  a 60-40 -50/50% - not even 80/20%- 100% - no. If he asks for 100 %, he must get 100% because he gave a 100%! So that is like placing yourself on the alter- of service. Sometimes it has even meant literal sacrifice- Jim Eliot etc. But look at the friezes/ paintings- on with Side- Hell/Heaven. That’s what it means to be Holy- completely set apart- when all the paints are handed over to the artist then the greatest work of art can be done. If you withhold areas of your lives from his touch- then unholy- daker- unfinished parts in the picture.  

c.     The Pleasure of looking at the Painting: Pleasing- instead- all given- all the colours, all parts of the canvas available to the artist- then the final product brings pleasure to the owner of the art gallery- who turns out to be family! Owe him everything for putting on this show. He sent Christ- he endured the horror of watching all that happened to his Son. Therefore this is your true and proper worship. So why would you not want to bring pleasure to his heart when you owe him everything? Do that with anyone we love, but none loves more costly or deeply or permanently than God does. 

 3.     Working with the Artist

a.     Don’t Work against the Artist: So here is a warning- don’t work against the artist-2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world,- biggest influence can be that of others- like when you are young- want to blend in- wear clothes like the fashion of the day- hair cut or uncut as your friends. But if that guides your hand more than the artist- then when there is a disturbance- difference in direction- the lines will be wobbly- the colours will be smudged- your life will be compromised. We are not to be like a chameleon which takes its colour from its surroundings.’ And now Paul issues the same summons to the people of God not to be conformed to the prevailing culture, but rather to be transformed. Both verbs are present passive imperatives and denote the continuing attitudes which we are to retain[1]

b.    Work with the Artist: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – the picture can look different- the colours can be bright, the lines, clear and the whole canvas painted upon. How? When all the theological paint pots of the first 11 chapters are allowed to be used they change the way you think about life, God, yourself, and all your relationships.  

 c.     Final Picture: Outcome- Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Language of harmony in your PRIMARY relationship in life- vertical- God. Everything has built up to his moment- this is the central piece of artistry in the gallery. 

[1] John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 322–323.