Message: Believers who haven't practiced Christianity have perpetuated evil, being Christian in name only. In reality, we are to share love, because God first loved us. What is the life of a Christian? Someone who trusts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In the bible, Christian is referred to three times as someone who was behaving like Jesus and following Him. In the passage below, Paul is describing the presentation of Christians for our eyes and ears to understand.
The sermon describes three ways to live the Christian life: I) Be living sacrifices to God!, II) Serve God with your Spiritual gifts! and III) Behave like a Christian.! God. God calls us to make a choice how to live for Him in soul and spirit. This gives us the the ability to take up Christ's life daily. On the altar as a living sacrifice, means it's an ongoing offering of thanksgiving, a pleasing aroma. It means a life set apart for God, a holy and acceptable sacrifice outside of the world's way. It is to be in right-standing with God and His righteousness. In Greek it is Logikos, to live according to the Word of God, which is a transformation process of supernatural means. [ A personal testimony of transformation is given here] As we spend time in God's presence and glory, there is a metamorphosis where the old is washed away and the new closes in. In the new, the Word of God asks us to use the spiritual gifts given to us, because the body of Christ needs your member, which is valuable to the body and the world. It's value is to let everyone see Christ and grow in their relationship with Him, serving Him also. An unsettled life is a call to do what we've been created, formed and transformed to do. It is our responsibility, but God lets us, allows us, to live it. It is a giving of ourselves to God without restraint to use us. There is a final challenge to act according to the plans and purposes God has for you. A follower of Christ is to have love as the primary characteristic. What we bind to, cleave to, comes out of us, so cling to what is good, love. Kindness shows affection and honor in the care of others, expecting nothing in return. We owe to one another mutual submission, bearing burdens, showing grace and mercy, surrendering ourselves in the understanding of what God has for us. The life as a Christian isn't to be hard or overwhelming, God intended it to be good and glorious while living in His joy and peace as a sacrifice to His plan. May it be proven in your life.
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
