A Personal Relationship With God.
How Do I Do It?
Last week I showed you from God’s Word that He has something for each one of us to do. This week I will show you God’s plan for you to follow so that you can do everything He wants you to do.
Rom. 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
What does it mean by sacrifice?
1. You have to make a DECISION.
It’s a commitment that takes time.
It has to be planned.
Sacrifices in the Old Testament were raised from babies.
2. Something has to DIE.
Sacrifice: A giving up of something of value for the sake of something else.
3. You will have to DEDICATE yourself to do it. It’s going to be a long haul. Dedication is the only way to keep you from jumping off the altar.
Illustrate raising cattle for food as a child.
Now that we know what God means by sacrifice, now let’s look at what God has to say about the sacrifice.
1. God’s SYMPOTHY for us.
V.1b …….by the mercies of God,……..
God knows how hard it is for us to give ourselves to Him. After all, He’s asking for a “Living Sacrifice”.
That’s why He is going to help you.
When you make the decision to let God use you He will give you the grace, strength and courage to do anything He asks you to do.
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2 Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Why does He have sympathy for us?
2. Because the sacrifice must be Genuinely SUTIBLE.
V. 1d , …..holy, acceptable unto God, …….
God has something very specific in mind for you to sacrifice to Him.
Nothing else will do.
Gen. 4:3-5 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.
3. What God is asking you to do makes Good SENSE.
V. 1e ……. which is your reasonable service.
So what is it that God wants you to sacrifice to Him?
V. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
YOUR WILL!!!!
I know what you’re thinking. If I give my will completely to God He will send me to Africa or Alaska or be a monk in a monastery.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
God has given you a desire to serve Him. He has also allowed you’re life to follow a path where along the way you have picked up training, knowledge and experience. God has also given you talents and/or gifts. Mix the two together and you will find the direction God wants you to follow.
God never gave anyone a task to do that He did not train them to do it.
Illustrate little boy in offering plate.
