I have always been intrigued by the clever title of a wonderful book on preaching by Dr. Robert Smith Jr., professor of preaching at Beeson Divinity School (in Birmingham, AL). He calls it, Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life.

The main point that Dr. Smith so brilliantly makes is that the great doctrines of the Christin faith must be proclaimed, believed, and put into practice. As he says it, the Christian faith must not only be about believing in “ the streets of gold in heaven” (doctrine), but must have something vital to do with “ the pavement” upon which we now walk (practice). The New Jerusalem above must be united with Hampton Cove and Huntsville here below!

Well, this is what we are trying to do with our series of messages from Romans 12. We are seeking to better understand that critical and essential link between heaven and earth. To use Dr. Smith’s language, our doctrine must dance!

This Sunday and the next two (July 4 and 11), we are going to be ‘slow dancing’ though Romans 12:1-2. It would be difficult to name another two-verse section of the New Testament more densely packed with truth than this passage! So we’re going to take our sweet time as we examine every word.

Our focus this Sunday will be upon our “ bodies” (v. 1). We will discover the critical importance of our physical flesh and blood for our daily Christian walk (or our ‘dance’!).