This week is about a "Lifestyle of Sacrifice" The actual text for the lesson is from Luke 9:23-24, 57-62 & Romans 12:1-2. I suggest you look at more than those verses though. Read the entire chapter of each.
Our first Scripture passage from Luke 9 reminds us that Christianity is an all-or-nothing arrangement. We can't "try Jesus" the way we might try a lifestyle, a workout regimen, or a brand of breakfast cereal. In the first century, proclaiming that Jesus is Lord could easily get you killed.
At the end of Romans 11 Paul explained to his readers that they, Gentile Christians, benefited spiritually from the hard hearts and disobedience of the Jews. In their disobedience, he wrote, the Gentiles had been opened up to God's mercy, and were grafted in to the vine of Israel. It's in light of those mercies that Paul exhorted the church in Rome to offer their bodies - all of them - as a single, living sacrifice to God.
At the end of Romans 11 Paul explained to his readers that they, Gentile Christians, benefited spiritually from the hard hearts and disobedience of the Jews. In their disobedience, he wrote, the Gentiles had been opened up to God's mercy, and were grafted in to the vine of Israel. It's in light of those mercies that Paul exhorted the church in Rome to offer their bodies - all of them - as a single, living sacrifice to God.
As we examine both of these passages, look deep into the text and ask yourself, what does this mean to you? What is God asking us to understand? How does this apply to Christian Sacrifice? What type of sacrifice or sacrifices are being asked of you by God? If there is currently no sacrifice.... what does that mean?
Tommy will bring the lesson Sunday. Please be in much prayer for all the needs in our church and class. There are many. Also, I will share some information Sunday regarding the "Pastor Search" procedures that you can expect in the coming days. Please pray for the transition of our church. God is at work !!!
Lee
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