Who Do You Say He Is? (Mark 12:35-37)

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Who Do You Say He Is?

The ultimate question about Christ,

from the gospel of Mark 12:35 to 37

 

Who do you say Jesus is? Ralph Waldo Emerson, not a believer said, “Jesus is the most perfect of all the men that have yet appeared on earth.” Napoleon called Jesus, “The emperor of love.” John Mill, a philosopher, said, “Jesus is the guide of humanity.” The scientist Lesche said, “Jesus is the highest pattern of virtue.”

Rennan, a French atheist, said, “Jesus is the greatest among the sons of men.” David Strauss, a hater of Christianity who denied all of its supernatural claims, said Jesus is, “The highest model of religion within the reach of human thought.”

Angelina Jolie said about God, “There doesn’t need to be a God for me. There’s something in people that’s spiritual, that’s godlike. I also don’t really know if it’s better to just not believe in anything, either.” Brad Pitt said of eternity, “I don’t think anyone really knows. You’ll either find out or not, when you get there, until then there’s no point thinking about it.” Emma Thompson said about faith, “I regard religion with fear and suspicion. I am offended by some of the things said in the Bible and the Quran, and I refute them.”

To take it a step further, Christian Science says Jesus is a man in tune with the Divine Consciousness, not the Christ. Islam says Jesus is a created being, a prophet, not God. Jehovah’s Witnesses say Jesus is a created being. Mormons say Jesus is a created being, the brother of the devil and of all people.

Jesus will ask you today, who do you say He is? Turn to Mark 12:35 to 37 as Jesus asks the religious leaders, and asks each one of you the ultimate question. It’s so important. This question is part of what determines your eternity. Get this question wrong, and you go to Hell. Get this question right, and you might end up going to Heaven.

As we continue in our verse by verse study of the gospel of Mark, you will find the spiritual leaders of Israel are exactly like the movie stars, musicians, politicians and leaders of our day. They don’t believe Jesus is God–they deny Christ’s deity. The Jews actually believed the Messiah was a man. They believed the Messiah would be an awesome human political leader. And today, Jesus is going to correct their errant thinking, and affirm to them and to you that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. He is the son of David and the son of God.

Stand and read from your outline Mark 12:35 to 37, and discover how Jesus turns the tables on the religious leaders. “And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, ‘How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.’” 37 David himself calls Him “Lord”; so in what sense is He his son?’ And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.”

Let’s pray. Our God, we desire to know You. As we gather today, we remember what You have done for us. We affirm again our sinfulness, our lostness, our hopelessness without You. We are so thankful for Your sacrifice on the cross for our sins. We marvel that as God You could satisfy the Father’s wrath against our sin, and as man You could be our substitute. We want to see You clearly, and embrace You not only as the Son of David, but also as the Son of God, God who became a man. Draw some to Yourself, and mold the rest of us to be like You.

So follow along with your outline, and see how Jesus immediately . . .

#1  Turns the Tables on the Religious Leaders  Verse 35a

“And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple.” It is Wednesday of the Passion Week, the last week of our Lord’s earthly ministry. In just two days Jesus will be crucified and die for the sins of His children. Monday Christ entered Jerusalem hailed as the Messiah. On Tuesday, Christ cleaned out the Temple. Now on Wednesday, Jesus is being barraged by questions.

The religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus into looking bad in front of the population, who are all enamored with Him. They are pulling out all their most difficult trick questions, hoping Jesus will stumble and get the people to reject Him so they can then arrange to have Him killed by the Romans.

First  The Sanhedrin failed with a historical question–11:27 to 33

Second  The Pharisees/Herodians fail with a political question–12:13 to 17

Third  The Sadducees failed with their theological question–12:18 to 27

Fourth  And a scribe failed with a practical question–12:28 to 34

All the religious leaders accomplish in their attacks is to make themselves look really foolish, and to exalt Christ as being extremely wise. Up until now, Jesus was asked the questions. Jesus turns the tables on them, goes on the offence, takes the initiative and now asks them. Still in the Temple area, Jesus transitions from answering their trick questions to asking them one key question, which ends up being the last word, the last thing Jesus has to say to these leaders.

After a day of questions comes the question of the day. And this final word is a question about His identity. And He asks the most important question of all—“Who am I?” He will ask, “What do the Scriptures teach about the Messiah?” This is not only the final word, and a question of identity, but this question is also an invitation. It is an invitation that was prompted by what just happened in verse 34.

Remember last week, as Jesus was describing the Great Commandment to a more open, little more humble, very rare scribe, who admitted that loving God in a relational commitment was more important than the entire sacrificial system? This scribe understood God’s Kingdom to be more about internals than externals–more about the heart than ceremonies.

Hearing these words, and knowing the heart of this extremely rare scribe, Jesus said in verse 34, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Jesus now tells this scribe, “The next step for you is to embrace Me for Who I really am.” To be saved, one must believe the truth concerning the person of Christ. You can’t be wrong about your Christology and receive the gift of salvation. So Jesus will now walk them through this ultimate eternal question.

#2  Asking the Question which Points to the Deity of Christ  Verse 35

“How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?” Look again at verse 34. It tells us the leaders were pulling back, in that they were not going to ask Jesus any more questions. They’ve had enough of being made to look weak and fallen, and allowing Christ to show just how truly awesome He really is.

So Jesus goes on the offensive and asks this key question. And do you see who Jesus directs His question to? The scribes–one (more open) scribe asked Jesus about the greatest commandment in verses 28 to 34, but all the scribes are there mixed in with the crowd. Scribes were the biblical scholars and Bible teachers of their day. They were easy to spot. They didn’t blend in–you could always recognize a scribe because they wore a long white linen robe, which reached to his feet and was hemmed by a long white fringe.

Their resplendent white attire made them stand out wherever they went, especially among the common people, who customarily wore bright colors. They were the first “power dressers”. They were the ecclesiastical swans, regally gliding amongst the common ducks of humanity. They held such esteem in the community that people would rise respectfully when a scribe passed by, and only a tradesman busy at his work was exempt.

They were greeted respectfully as “rabbi” (“my great one” or “Master” or “Father”). When the wealthy gave feasts, scribes were considered a necessary ornament to adorn the meal. They were always given a place of honor, reclining to the right or left of the host. In the synagogues, the scribes always sat in the best spot.

Jesus targeted these proud birds with His crucial question. It’s aimed at one scribe in particular, but all the scribes in general, since the scribes are the ones who interpret the Bible. They need to get the Scripture correct–but they got it wrong.

Verse 35, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?” Jesus is establishing what they’ve already been taught. “Christ” is the translation of the Hebrew word for “Messiah”, which means “Anointed One”. The King promised by God in the Old Testament is from the family line of David.

Now everyone listening believes Son of David is the correct answer, because it’s the answer the scribes always give. The Christ, the Messiah is the Son of David. The true Messiah has to be in the line of David. The Messiah has to be a relative of David. And this is partly correct–this is clearly taught in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 9, speaking of Messiah said, “He will reign on David’s throne.” Jeremiah 23 tells us David’s offspring will reign as King. It’s also in 2 Samuel, Psalm 89, Amos 9, Micah 5, Ezekiel 37 and more. Son of David is also affirmed in the New Testament, like Romans 1:3, “concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” And 2 Timothy 2:8, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel.”

And the parallel passage in Matthew makes this clear, in 22:42 “’What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The son of David.’” And the gospel of Mark chapters 8 and 10 have already affirmed Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah and that Jesus is the son of David. But verse 35 here in Mark is a loaded question, because what Jesus implies is this–how is it the scribes say the Christ is the son of David, and nothing more?

The problem with the scribes is they had an incomplete picture of the Messiah. They saw the promised Christ as only a man—yes, a gifted man, a great leader, a military genius, a man of influence with great power. He will be the offspring of David, but sadly that view falls far short. It’s only part of the picture. It is true, but not all the truth about the Messiah.

And Jesus was the Son of David–all throughout His ministry people knew Jesus was in the line of David. That fact was never debated. The religious leaders never went into the Temple records to try to disprove the lineage of Jesus as coming from David. The gospel of Matthew’s opening genealogy proves that Jesus was in the lineage of David through His stepfather Joseph. And the gospel of Luke’s early genealogy proves that Jesus was in the lineage of David through His mother Mary.

You know blind Bartimaeus–do you remember what he cried out? Mark 10:47, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus is legally the son of David, but this was not enough. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Jesus Christ is a great man–but He is far more than the offspring of the great King David.

Jesus Christ is far more than a great man. Jesus makes a statement that points to His deity, but now Jesus points to . . .

#3  The Crucial Truth that Proves the Deity of Christ  Verse 36

Jesus is definitely the Son of David, but how is He unique among all the many relatives of David? How is Jesus distinguished from the many who’ve come from the loins of David? Verse 36, “David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.”’”

Hold the phone–are you getting this? “The Lord said to my Lord.” Whoa–the Lord God said to the Son of David–who is David’s Lord? So the Messiah is David’s son, but David also calls Him Lord? In what sense is the offspring of David His Son and His Lord? Jesus is an expository preacher, and He is expositing Psalm 110:1, which says, “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’”

Jesus is making and proving His irrefutable point here. He’s telling this crowd of people sprinkled with scribes that it is not enough to say the Messiah is the Son of David. Why is that not enough? Because David refers to Him as Lord–if the Messiah is only a man, how can David call Him Lord? How can He be David’s son and at the same time David’s Lord?

Look at that statement, “The Lord said to My Lord.” The Father is speaking to the Son, who is David’s Lord. God is speaking to the Messiah, who David calls his Lord. And it is this Lord who’ll be exalted to reign at God’s right hand, and under whose feet all enemies will be placed. David himself calls Him Lord.

The Greek word for Lord is kurios, and the Hebrew equivalent is Adonai. It’s a title for God used throughout the Old Testament. David calls Him, “My Lord.” You say, “Well, David was just mistaken.” No, look back at verse 36–David himself said, what’s the next phrase?–“in the Holy Spirit.” Even the parallel account in Matthew 22:43 says, “In the Spirit, in the Holy Spirit.”

The idea is, when David called the Messiah, “Lord,” he was speaking by inspiration from the Holy Spirit. This is divine revelation! So David, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, calls the Messiah the coming Christ–his descendant, his son to come, Lord. That’s Psalm 110:1, “The Lord said to my Lord.” Yahweh speaks, God the Father speaks to the one who is my Lord, the one who will be set on the throne where all God’s enemies will be placed beneath His feet. That’s a messianic description.

In fact the scribes of Jesus’ day, the Jewish people, and the New Testament Church all affirm Psalm 110 as a Messianic Psalm. It’s describing the Messiah, and God says to David’s Lord, who is also David’s offspring, David’s son, to “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.” The one true God has designated a position for Messiah—listen, at His own right hand. “Sit at My right hand.” God identifies the Messiah as Lord, and then assigns Him the place at the right hand of God, making Him co-equal in rank and co-equal in authority, virtually declaring His deity.

And did you catch the only command in these verses? Sit–a present imperative, “Take Your permanent seat.” Yahweh’s right hand is His power. There’s not actually a chair there-it’s a way of saying He is in the place of divine power. Many Old Testament passages assign the power of God to the right hand of God. So to be permanently placed at the right hand of God is to be placed in the position of ultimate power and absolute authority. That is why Philippians 2 says Christ is exalted and given a name above every name, and that name is Lord.

So here is a picture of the One who’ll take the throne beside God, and in that rule will crush God’s enemies—“until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.” He is a Son of David by Old Testament testimony, but He is also the Lord of David. This is the God/man, the incomprehensible mystery of Jesus Christ, David’s son and David’s Lord, born a man in the line of David. And yet Jesus is also the Lord of David—God. Through the incarnation, God was born a man in the line of David.

And you already know no Middle Eastern father would ever call a son his Lord. This is completely and utterly unique. He is David’s son and He is David’s Lord. Jesus is proving to the listening crowd, even to the hateful scribes, and possibly one scribe who is a little more open, that He is God incarnate–that He is Lord. Jesus is not only Son of David–man, but Jesus is also Lord of David–meaning God.

Make no mistake, my family–the New Testament clearly, pointedly, and dogmatically declares that Jesus Christ is God, as well as man. You should know this–for yourself, for your witnessing, for your children, for your worship, for your joy. Christ is God. How do we know? Get these down. This is sound doctrine.

WANT AC?=Works, Attributes, Names, Titles, Accepted Worship, Claims . . . Listen carefully.

First  The NAMES of God alone were used of Christ

John 1:1 says, “The Word [Jesus, of verse 14] was God.” Greek grammar and the context rule out the translation “the Word was a god.”

Thomas, in John 20:2, addressed the risen Christ as “my Lord and my God.” Jesus did not correct him, but acknowledged his faith.

Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1 refer to Jesus as “our God and Savior,” and the rules of Greek grammar indicate that both titles describe Jesus.

First John 5:20 refers to Jesus as “the true God and eternal life.”

Second  Christ Himself made CLAIMS of being God

In John 10:30, He makes the startling statement, “I and the Father are one.” The Greek word translated “one” is in the neuter gender, indicating Jesus is one in essence with the Father, not merely one in purpose.

John 8:58 records an even more astonishing claim–Jesus applied to Himself the sacred name of God from Exodus 3:14, “I AM” (Hebrew YHWH, “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”). If Jesus were merely claiming to be a pre-existent being, He would have said, “Before Abraham was born, I was,” instead of “I AM.” Unlike many today, Jesus’ opponents understood perfectly what He was claiming–that’s why they attempted to immediately stone Him for blasphemy.

Third  The TITLES belonging only to God were used of Christ

Many terms used in the Old Testament to refer to God are used in the New Testament to refer to Jesus. In Isaiah 6:5 the prophet says, “My eyes have seen the King, the Lord [YHWH] of hosts.” Yet the apostle John, referring to Isaiah’s vision, says in John 12:41, “These things Isaiah said, because he saw His [Christ’s] glory, and he spoke of Him.”

Other titles used of God in the Old Testament, and of Jesus in the New include Holy One (Isaiah 10:20 and Acts 3:14), First and Last (Isaiah 44:6 and Revelation 22:13), Savior (Isaiah 43:11 and Titus 2:13), Pierced One (Zechariah 12:10 and John 19:37), and Lord of lords (Deuteronomy 10:17 and Revelation 17:14).

Fourth  The ATTRIBUTES of God were demonstrated by Christ

Jesus possesses attributes unique to God–eternality (Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1 to 6), omnipresence (Matthew 18:20), omniscience (John 16:30), omnipotence (Hebrews 1:3), and immutability (Hebrews 13:8).

Fifth  The WORKS of God were performed by Christ

Jesus did things only God could do. The first sentence of the Bible tells us God created the universe, but John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16 speak of Jesus as the One who brought all things into being. He also sustains all things (Colossians 1:17). Jesus, like the Father, has the authority to resurrect and judge men (John 5:21 to 29). He also has the authority to forgive sins–a right that, as His opponents pointed out, belongs to God alone (Mark 2:5 to 10).

Sixth  Christ accepted WORSHIP as God

Jesus affirmed the Old Testament truth that only God is to be worshiped (Matthew 4:10). Yet on several occasions He accepted others’ worship of Him, obviously considering it appropriate (Matthew 14:33, 28:9 and 17; John 9:38, 29:28 to 29). Unlike Peter (Acts 10:25 to 26), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:11 to 18), or angels (Revelation 19:10; 22:8 to 9), Jesus never refused the worship offered Him. That means the greatest, most moral man who ever lived was either a liar, a lunatic, or He is actually the Lord God.

Think about it–if God became a man, we would expect His human life to be sinless and perfectly righteous, and Jesus was and is. If God became a man, we would expect His words to be the greatest words ever spoken, and that is Christ. If God became a man, we’d expect Him to be able to do any supernatural act–and it was Christ who controlled nature, healed any and all disease, walked on water, ended funerals and lit up brighter than the sun in glorious transfiguration.

Jesus Christ is God and man–He is God who was born a man. The one interested scribe, who is close to entering the Kingdom must take the next step. He must embrace Christ as the only way to enter God’s Kingdom, the only way to be forgiven of sins, the only way to be God’s friend now and enter God’s Heaven later.

God became a man so He could take the punishment every man and woman deserve for our sins. And the Lord of David, our God had to do it, because no one could satisfy God’s justice and anger over sin except God Himself. You and I needed for the Son of David to be the Son of God, otherwise you and I could never be saved. And our Lord wants this scribe and you here today to understand you must surrender your life and give it to Christ, and embrace Christ’s life as your Savior and your Lord. And Jesus is so zealous about this, He asks one more time . . .

#4  The Pointed Question that PRESUMES the Deity of Christ

Jesus closes his argument in verse 37, “David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” How can the Messiah at the same time be David’s son and David’s Lord? In Biblical times, a son was to be obedient to his father, and considered his father superior. David would not have called one of his descendants “Lord”. The point is this–since David called Messiah “my Lord”, the Messiah must be greater than David. And my family, there is no one who is greater than Jesus Christ–no one.

Jesus Christ is the son of David, but the Lord of David. Jesus Christ is a man, the offspring of David—and Jesus Christ is Lord, the God of David. How should you respond to what Jesus just taught? Do not respond like the listening crowd did–please don’t, please.

The Conclusion  The WEAK Response of the Listening Crowd

Look at the end of verse 37, “And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.” They loved it–they were literally pleased by what Jesus taught. Maybe it was because Jesus made the proud scribes look bad. Maybe it was because the crowd loved good Bible teaching. This teaching is so good, it is the best there ever has been. It is perfect Bible teaching—perfect . . . better than Mueller, better than MacArthur, even better than your RMG leader!

Maybe it was because it finally made sense, or instead of quoting another rabbi Jesus actually taught the Bible. Maybe it was because they loved the sound of His perfect voice. Sadly, it was not because they were submitting to Christ as the Son of David and Lord of David–as the God/man, their Messiah. In only 48 hours, they will shout to have Christ crucified. In just two days, they will condemn their promised Messiah. God in a body, the God man, they will all send Him to the cross.

They may have enjoyed listening to Him. Enjoyed means they were delighting as they listened to His teaching. I am sure they appreciated the intelligence and power of His answers, and the freshness of His method in dealing with these trick questions and difficult issues. And they smiled with pleasure to see their pompous scribes squirm with discomfort. But they missed the point.

And this is not merely like missing a point off an important test. It is not a bonus missed at work. This is not a point on your lawn you missed mowing. This is missing life now and forever. This is missing eternal Heaven and gaining Hell instead. This is eternal life passing you by, and eternal torture gained.

Now when you read verse 37, “and they enjoyed listening to Him.” You see just how pathetic that really is, don’t you? Don’t you wish it had said, “The large crowd fell on their faces in the presence of the incarnate God”? The leaders were done. Matthew tells us in 22:46, “No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.”  That clammed the leaders up—“shut my trap. I’m not asking another question.”

Mark simply says, “The crowds enjoyed listening to Him.” Either way, they and those like them are going to end up in Hell. You might be entertained by Jesus, but that’s just as deadly and damning as hating Him. Here is a masterful exposition of Psalm 110, but where’s the repentance? And where’s the faith? And where’s the affirmation of who He is? Not one bows before Christ as God?

A  Will you EMBRACE Jesus Christ as your God?

Mark 1:1, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Mark 1:11, “and a voice came out of the heavens: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’” Jesus boldly affirmed in Mark 14:61 and 62, “The high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’ 62 And Jesus said, ‘I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

Make no mistake, my friends, Jesus Christ is God–the only God, the one true God. Mohammed is not God, nor Mary, not Buddha, only Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

You must be saved by the one true God–why? Because you are in trouble with Jesus Christ–you are in trouble with God. He is perfect, holy, righteous, without sin and you are not. You have not merely sinned, you are sick with sin, corrupted, through and through. But to be right with Jesus Christ now, and to live with Him for all eternity, you have to be perfect.

You are not and I am not. So you have to cry out to Jesus Christ to show you mercy and grace. He needs to take your sin upon Himself and give you His perfect righteousness so you can know God now and enter Heaven later. Out of incomprehensible love for you, Jesus Christ became a man so He could take your place and suffer the punishment for our sins upon Himself. And Jesus Christ is God so He could satisfy God’s justice. And only God could be perfect enough to satisfy God.

Will you embrace Jesus Christ as your God today? Turn from your sin, turn from your life, depend on His life and His work on the cross for you from now on? Ask Him to awaken you and give you the faith you need to depend on Christ alone as your Savior and as your God.

B  Are you FOLLOWING Jesus Christ as your God?

Friends, you can’t regularly have sex with your boyfriend, you can’t cheat on exams, cheat on taxes, steal from work. You can’t constantly get drunk, remain addicted to drugs or pills, yell at your kids, scream at your spouse, hate your boss, watch porn, remain unforgiving, constantly fear the future, lust after another, live for money, live for pleasure, and call yourself a Christian.

And equally friends, you can’t ignore the commands of the New Testament to serve faithfully, give sacrificially, attend regularly, enjoy fellowship with other Christians deeply, and call yourself a believer. It doesn’t matter if you prayed a prayer, were on-fire once, made a decision at camp, been to church, talk a good Jesus, like good Bible teaching, or have been baptized.

Genuine Christians follow Christ. They do what the Bible says, and obey God’s commands. Read these verses with me. John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Don’t toy with your eternity. Don’t deceive yourself. Authentic believers follow Jesus Christ–are you?

C  Are you LOVING Jesus Christ with your entire life?

First John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.” And when you do love Him, the danger is that you will do as Revelation 2:4 says, “You have left your first love.” Have you left your first love? Is there anything else, anyone else, who has more of your heart and your affections or your delight than Jesus Christ? Family, children, work, hobby, sport, entertainment, a person? A ministry, an event, your house, your leisure–anything? If so, then repent, and return this week to loving Christ first with your entire life.

D  Are you WORSHIPING Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Savior?

Not only did Jesus Christ leave the glories of Heaven, but like putting a blanket on a fire, He veiled His glory and was born as a baby, lived as a child, and grew to manhood on this fallen planet. Then He served you by being your substitute, taking your place, bearing your sin, taking your punishment, bearing God’s wrath against your sin upon Himself.

He died in your place on the horrors of a cross. And He did it for those He chose before the world was. And in time, He called you to Himself, gave you abundant life now and eternal life forever. He gave you Himself, and gave you all the glories of Heaven. He gave you gifts to serve, and a mission to fulfill. He gave you a family to share this with, and more. What should your response be? Paul tells us it is worship—offering yourself a living sacrifice.

Read aloud with me Romans 12:1 and 2, “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 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.”

Look at it again—“by the mercies of God.” On the basis of all that God did for you, “to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice . . . acceptable to God.” Your entire life, your body, alive, right now, made holy and living holy is your spiritual service of worship–that’s worship. Right now, not with words, but with your life, let’s worship the Lord Jesus Christ for what He has done for you. Let’s pray.