"Jesus doesnât want your things. He wants you." â Derek Thomas
In this message from theologian and pastor Derek Thomas from the 2025 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, we are invited into the deep Gospel logic of Romans 12:1â2. With characteristic warmth and theological depth, Derek traces the shape of the Christian life as a living sacrifice, flowing directly from the mercies of God revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Topics:
âď¸ What is the grammar of the Gospel?
Why does Paul wait until chapter 12 to say, âI appeal to you therefore, brothersâŚâ? After 11 chapters of Gospel indicatives, the imperatives followânot as cause, but consequence.
đ What is the Christianâs reasonable response?
Derek explains why Paulâs âthereforeâ in Romans 12 marks a turning pointânot to earn Godâs favor, but to live in joyful response to it. The Christian life is not about âmaking sacrificesââit is about being one.
đ Rooted in Reformation convictions:
Drawing from Luther, Calvin, and Owen, Derek Thomas reminds us that Romans was central to the Reformation because it is central to the Gospel. Justification by faith alone is, as Calvin said, âthe hinge on which the door of the Gospel swings.â
đĽ What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?
Paul isnât asking for religious duties or a list of sacrifices. Heâs calling for youâyour whole self, body and soulâto be consecrated to Christ in light of Godâs mercies.
đ A challenge to the mind and heart:
With concern for the church today, Derek calls believers to renew their mindsâto be discerning, thoughtful, transformed by truth in an age of confusion. âYour mind matters,â he says, warning against a mystical, disembodied view of faith. Christianity is not mindless or merely emotionalâit is whole-life worship.
Whether you are new to Romans or have studied it for decades, this message offers a deeply pastoral and theologically invigorating call to be what you are in Christ.
đ For more teaching like this, visit:
https://reformedresources.org â Trusted Reformed books, sermons, and video resources from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.
Derek Thomas Books â 25% off retail(discount appears in cart): https://reformedresources.org/authors/derek-thomas/
đ https://alliancenet.org
đ Subscribe to our channel for more conference messages and biblical teaching from trusted voices in Reformed theology.
#DerekThomas #Romans12 #LivingSacrifice #PCRT #ReformedTheology #JustificationByFaith #AllianceOfConfessingEvangelicals #Gospel-ShapedLife
In this message from theologian and pastor Derek Thomas from the 2025 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, we are invited into the deep Gospel logic of Romans 12:1â2. With characteristic warmth and theological depth, Derek traces the shape of the Christian life as a living sacrifice, flowing directly from the mercies of God revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Topics:
âď¸ What is the grammar of the Gospel?
Why does Paul wait until chapter 12 to say, âI appeal to you therefore, brothersâŚâ? After 11 chapters of Gospel indicatives, the imperatives followânot as cause, but consequence.
đ What is the Christianâs reasonable response?
Derek explains why Paulâs âthereforeâ in Romans 12 marks a turning pointânot to earn Godâs favor, but to live in joyful response to it. The Christian life is not about âmaking sacrificesââit is about being one.
đ Rooted in Reformation convictions:
Drawing from Luther, Calvin, and Owen, Derek Thomas reminds us that Romans was central to the Reformation because it is central to the Gospel. Justification by faith alone is, as Calvin said, âthe hinge on which the door of the Gospel swings.â
đĽ What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?
Paul isnât asking for religious duties or a list of sacrifices. Heâs calling for youâyour whole self, body and soulâto be consecrated to Christ in light of Godâs mercies.
đ A challenge to the mind and heart:
With concern for the church today, Derek calls believers to renew their mindsâto be discerning, thoughtful, transformed by truth in an age of confusion. âYour mind matters,â he says, warning against a mystical, disembodied view of faith. Christianity is not mindless or merely emotionalâit is whole-life worship.
Whether you are new to Romans or have studied it for decades, this message offers a deeply pastoral and theologically invigorating call to be what you are in Christ.
đ For more teaching like this, visit:
https://reformedresources.org â Trusted Reformed books, sermons, and video resources from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.
Derek Thomas Books â 25% off retail(discount appears in cart): https://reformedresources.org/authors/derek-thomas/
đ https://alliancenet.org
đ Subscribe to our channel for more conference messages and biblical teaching from trusted voices in Reformed theology.
#DerekThomas #Romans12 #LivingSacrifice #PCRT #ReformedTheology #JustificationByFaith #AllianceOfConfessingEvangelicals #Gospel-ShapedLife