2014.11.23 礼拝

2014.11.23 礼拝

164th Life Church Service

Message – Romans 12:1-2 “A Living Sacrifice”
Mark’s last message “Prayer Walking”, mentioned peer pressure where people act as others to be on the safe side whether it’s good or bad. This is “like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world. If we do, we may be led astray.

Mark was brought in the countryside of Alabama in an environment where children were expected to help the family after finishing middle school. At nine, he first want to church and learned to pray offering himself as “a living sacrifice” without really understanding the meaning. But he kept praying repeatedly. At seventeen when he was depressed, he prayed that he could a living sacrifice while worrying that he may not be an acceptable sacrifice. However, with God’s mercy, it is such a blessing that he can work in the urban city like Tokyo.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, bothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What we offer to God must be holy and pleasing to God. But no one is holy.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
To be holy and be acceptable to God, we must repent all our sins. The Lord can purify us if we believe..

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Many people believe something, but it is important who we believe in.

John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
To be holy and acceptable to God – repent your sins – believe in Jesus = Christians

Paul is addressing his fellows Christians – brothers.
1. Offer yourself as living sacrifice – to work for God.
2. Do not conform to the standards of this world.
3. Be able to understand the will of God; what is good and perfect and acceptable to God. What is the will of God? What is good? How can be accepted? What is perfect?
How can we find out? From the Bible. At church where we hear the message and have fellowship and help each other..
4. Be transformed by renewing your mind – change through spiritual worship.