Love Reigns Over Our Present. Week 3.

The true sacrifice of a follower of Jesus is a contrite heart and an obedient spirit.

Paul calls us to be living sacrifices. That is actually more difficult than a dead one. A dead sacrifice does not have a choice in the matter. It has to stay on the altar. But a living sacrifice can crawl back off whenever it wants to.

Paul states in Romans 12:1 In view of God’s mercies, be a living sacrifice. Live a life, right now in the present, under the rule and reign of love and be repentant and obedient to God.

Paul goes on in the passage from Romans to give us the ultimate outcome of living the sacrificial life:

 Romans 12:2TPT Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes.

The world around us has patterns that lead to a broken life. The world is marked by patterns of greed, selfishness, pride, envy, and gossip.

These patterns are easy to fall into and can be difficult to transform.

They are called patterns because they are routine and often done mindlessly, but also because these patterns can be identified and changed.

POINT #2 – Changing Your Patterns Will Change Your Life.

With a little attention, patterns can be easily identified. It is a skill that we have been learning from childhood.

Illustration: (On screen show a pattern of shapes, colors, images, etc. for the audience to see.) -On the screen you will notice a series of patterns.

At the end of the pattern can you tell what should be the next shape, color, image etc.

Once you know the pattern what happens next should become obvious to us.

The same can be true in our lives as well. If we pay attention to our patterns, we can begin to anticipate or understand what comes next. Then, we can change them.

To identify patterns, sometimes we have to change our perspective.

Paul tells us, “to see life in view of God’s mercy“.

When we understand God’s love and mercy for us, we find the reason to transform our lives and renew our minds.

* Maybe you have developed a pattern of talking down to yourself whenever you make a mistake. It always leads to feeling depressed and anxious. Break the pattern. Do not conform to it any longer.

Maybe you notice the pattern of telling lies to people around you. It always leads to more lies and a deceptive lifestyle. Do not conform to it any longer.

Maybe you have seen a pattern of laziness in your life. It has produced a spirit of apathy toward your work, family, and dreams. In view of God’s mercy, do not continue that pattern. Break it and experience a new life.

POINT # 3 – Trade Your Will For God’s Will.

 The ultimate outcome of a sacrificial life and a renewed mind is the ability to distinguish the will of God for your present life.

Paul states that the best way to the will of God is by trading our own will in, and creating better patterns for our lives. -Romans 12:1-2.