Living Sacrifice: Loving, Working, Rejoicing, and Hospitality

Today, we gathered to center our hearts and minds on Jesus, surrendering our fears, anxieties, and distractions to Him. We remembered that our story is not one of striving or earning, but of grace and mercy—Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for every one of us to participate in God’s great love story. As we took communion, we were reminded that Christ’s body was broken and His blood poured out for all, establishing a new covenant that cannot be broken. This is not a story for a select few, but an invitation for everyone to step into the center of God’s will, to receive His love, and to break agreement with any lie that says we are disqualified or on the outside.

We reflected on the importance of spiritual growth—not in comparison to others, but as a personal journey of becoming who God designed us to be. Growth happens in proximity, in community, and through serving one another. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation; we need the body, the local church, and the relationships that challenge and encourage us.

Drawing from Romans 12:9-13, we explored the practical outworking of being a “living sacrifice.” Our method, our modus operandi, is fourfold: loving genuinely, working hard, rejoicing in hope and hardship, and practicing radical hospitality. Real love is not just sentiment or agreement with everything, but a Christ-like love that hates what is evil—starting with the evil in our own hearts—and holds tightly to what is good. We are called to honor one another, to show genuine affection, and to prefer others above ourselves.

Working hard in the context of the church is not a hobby or a chore, but a Spirit-empowered calling. We are to discover our unique gifts and give ourselves wholeheartedly to serving the body of Christ, fueled by the Holy Spirit’s zeal. Rejoicing is not reserved for easy times; it is a discipline we practice especially in hardship, trusting that God is in control even when life squeezes us. And finally, hospitality is not optional—it is the outward expression of our faith, welcoming strangers and meeting needs with generosity and kindness.

Each of these practices costs us something. To be a living sacrifice means to daily crawl back onto the altar, surrendering our comfort, preferences, and pride. In doing so, we participate fully in God’s love story, using our gifts to build up the church and to reflect Christ to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Real love hates evil, starts within Genuine, Christ-like love is not passive agreement with all things, but a courageous stand against what is wrong—beginning with our own hearts. We are called to examine ourselves, to lay down pride, gossip, and sin, and to hold tightly to what is good. Only then can we love others authentically, honoring them with affection and humility. [58:26]
• 2. Hard work is Spirit-empowered service Serving in the body of Christ is not a hobby or a burden, but a divine calling fueled by the Holy Spirit. We are to discover our unique gifts and give ourselves wholeheartedly, even when it’s inconvenient or tiring. True Christian service is marked by enthusiasm, diligence, and a willingness to keep going when others might quit. [69:56]
• 3. Rejoicing and endurance in hardship Our hope is anchored in God’s control, not in our circumstances. When life applies pressure, what comes out reveals our character. We are called to rejoice, to endure, and to keep praying—especially when things are hard. This posture of faith transforms suffering into spiritual growth and deepens our trust in God’s faithfulness. [73:44]
• 4. Radical hospitality as a lifestyle Hospitality is not just for extroverts or those with extra resources; it is the calling of every believer. Welcoming strangers, meeting needs, and practicing generosity are tangible expressions of God’s love. When we open our lives and homes, we reflect the heart of Christ and create space for others to encounter His grace. [79:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [20:53] - Centering Our Hearts on Jesus
• [21:19] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [23:44] - Invitation to the Table
• [32:50] - Surrender and the Holy Spirit’s Presence
• [33:37] - Breaking Lies and Receiving Peace
• [39:58] - The Call to Grow in Community
• [41:21] - The Importance of Serving and Belonging
• [44:56] - Vision Update and Global Impact
• [52:01] - Living Sacrifice Series Recap
• [55:47] - Romans 12: Our Method of Love
• [57:34] - Real Love: Hating Evil, Holding Good
• [66:26] - Working Hard with Spiritual Gifts
• [72:59] - Rejoicing and Enduring in Hardship
• [78:22] - Radical Hospitality and Generosity
• [82:02] - Responding as Living Sacrifices
• [89:14] - Prayer of Surrender and Salvation

Bible Reading

Romans 12:9-13 (NLT) — Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:9-13, what are the four main ways Paul says we should live out our faith together?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between “pretending to love” and “really loving” others? [[57:34]]
3. What does the passage say about how we should respond when God’s people are in need?
4. How does the sermon describe the connection between prayer and hospitality? [[01:19:09]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that “real love hates evil, starts within.” Why do you think it’s important to start by examining our own hearts before looking at others? [[58:26]]
2. The pastor talks about working hard in the church as a “Spirit-empowered calling” and not just a hobby or chore. What does it look like for someone to serve with “Spirit-led zeal” instead of just out of duty? [[01:09:56]]
3. Why do you think Paul links rejoicing, patience in trouble, and prayer together in verse 12? How might these practices help us endure hardship? [[01:13:44]]
4. The sermon says hospitality is “not optional” for Christians. Why do you think welcoming strangers and practicing generosity is so central to following Jesus? [[01:19:09]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor challenged us to “break agreement with any lie that says we are disqualified or on the outside.” Are there any lies you’ve believed about your place in God’s family or your ability to serve? What would it look like to step into the center of God’s will this week? [[33:37]]
2. When you think about “hating what is evil,” is there something in your own heart or life that you need to lay down or surrender to Jesus? How can you take a practical step toward that this week? [[58:26]]
3. Serving in the church can sometimes feel inconvenient or tiring. What is one area where you could use your gifts to serve others, even if it costs you something? What’s holding you back? [[01:09:56]]
4. The sermon says rejoicing is a discipline, especially in hardship. Can you share a time when you chose to rejoice or keep praying even when life was hard? How did that affect your faith? [[01:13:44]]
5. Radical hospitality means welcoming people we don’t know, not just our friends. Is there someone you could invite into your home, out for coffee, or include in your life this month? What’s one step you can take to practice hospitality? [[01:19:09]]
6. The idea of being a “living sacrifice” means daily surrendering our comfort, preferences, and pride. What is one area of comfort or preference you sense God asking you to lay down for the sake of others? [[01:23:06]]
7. Growth happens in community, not isolation. Are you connected to a small group or serving team? If not, what’s one thing you could do this week to move toward deeper community? [[41:21]]