Introduction

Welcome, Church. We are so glad you have chosen to worship with us today. We believe God has you here for a reason, and we pray that you experience him in a fresh and new way today. We are in the middle of a sermon series called “Love Reigns”. We began on Easter, when we discovered that though Jesus was mocked by being called King of the Jews, the clearest proof of his authority was not in avoiding the cross, but in defeating the cross and resurrecting from the dead. Last week we were encouraged to know that when we are united with Christ through faith in Him, we become a new creation. Our past no longer defines us. It is the love of God that caused Jesus to endure the cross, and it is the love of God that forgives us our past. Love reigns in our lives. Today we continue this series by taking a look at how love reigns over our present. Because of God’s great mercy, we can live lives that honor Him.

When we were kids, we all used to play the game Simon Says. If you do not remember, let me quickly refresh your memory. When I say “Simon Says”, you respond by doing that thing. If I give you an instruction without saying Simon Says, then you should not do it. Let’s give it a try. Simon Says – clap your hands. Simon says – stop. Simon Says – blink your eyes. Simon says – stop. Simon Says – stomp your feet. Simon says – stop. Simon Says – look up and down. Stop. Oh no. Some of you stopped, and I did not say Simon Says. But you remember the game, right? Simon Says was a test of your willingness to listen to instruction or to decide to ignore it all together. It is a test, because we all have been given a will of our own. This will consists of our own desires and convictions.

The decisions I make today determine who I will be tomorrow.

Main Teaching

As we live day to day, we make thousands of decisions. We are constantly having to weigh out options and choose what we think is best. Sometimes our decisions are influenced by things that we are told to do. We find ourselves being obedient to voices around us that do not have our best interests in mind. However, God’s love for us gives us another option. That is to listen for his voice in order to make the best decision possible right now, today.

The things we choose to do or not do, show who we are listening to. Our lives are largely made up of the decisions we make, and that can be a painful litmus test to whom or what has our allegiance. Our past is a collection of wise or unwise choices that we made along the way. If we look back on those past decisions, who would we conclude was in charge? How many of those past decisions were a result of an obedience to God? How many of those choices were a result of obedience to our sinful desires or the voice of the world?

The Apostle Paul has a lot to say about living lives under the influence of God rather than the influence of the world ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium