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Thesis: Everyone has a place and everyone has an evolving purpose in the Church.
*This is determined by the revealed will of God first.
*Second, it’s determined by our desires.
*Third, it’s determined by what we are good at.
*Fourth, it should be confirmed by people in authority.
The Revealed will of God
Romans 12:1,2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1. View God’s mercy
2. Offer your body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God
3. This is true and proper worship
4. Don’t be conformed to the pattern of this world
5. Be transformed by mind renewal
6. Then the good and pleasing will of God will be recognized.
1. In View of God’s Mercy
The great price God paid for us in Christ’s death on the cross.
Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
True value is not determined by appraisers but by what someone will literally pay.
2. Offer Your Body
We need to offer our Body as a living sacrifice, following the example Christ has given us.
The most popular saying of Jesus Christ judged by the number of times it appears in scripture is “If anyone would come after me he must deny himself take up his cross and follow me.”
Obviously the number of times this is recorded puts a priority to the concept.
3. True and Proper Worship
The Bible calls the viewing of God’s mercy and the subsequent response of the believer to also sacrificially lay their life down as true and proper worship.
John 4:23,24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
4. Don’t be Conformed to the Pattern of this World
We are called to break the mold the world is trying to put us in.
The Century of the Self, a 4 part documentary released by the BBC is an amazingly eye opening display on how we are manipulated by various forms of media. This manipulation is usually financially driven.
There is a battle for control of your mind. Many forces want to influence your thinking but as Christians God should be the one we’re listening to.
We are instructed to allow God to put us into His mold. This way we are transformed into God’s image, getting our minds renewed.
5. Be Transformed by Mind Renewal
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
A great way to understand mind renewal is to understand the expression, “garbage in; garbage out.”
6. The Good and Pleasing Will of God
Then we will KNOW the will of God. We can know it but unfortunately many in the Body of Christ are perplexed about the will of God. Perhaps they haven’t followed the pattern in Romans 12:1,2? I believe if anyone will do this the specific will of God will be opened to that person.
Our desires become God’s desires when we follow the process in Romans 12:1,2
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Doing what we're good at.
Doing what we’re good at just makes sense. If we’re very grouchy and can’t seem to change, we wouldn’t make the best door greeter.
Confirmed by Authority
Hebrews 13:17
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
1 Peter 5:2-4
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
A culture of service and humility from everyone in the Church.
Matthew 23:11,12
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
One of the responsibilities of those in spiritual authority is to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph 4:12)
There is a direct relationship between authority and responsibility. Those that have the responsibility also have the authority. Some who have no responsibility feel like they should have authority but this just isn’t fair or realistic.
The Church has people who are responsible and they should also be the most humble. This helps establish the right culture of love, and service for the entire body.
Sometimes there are people in the congregation who are very gifted but don’t want to take much responsibility. This will weaken their authority.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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