Living Sacrifices: Embracing Our Call to Discipleship
Summary
In today's message, I focused on the profound call to Christian living as outlined in Romans 12:1, which urges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, as our spiritual worship. This call is not merely a suggestion but a directive for a life wholly dedicated to God, reflecting the sacrifices of the Old Testament, where offerings were made without blemish, signifying total surrender to God's will.
I shared my personal struggle with this passage, emphasizing that being a Christian is serious business, and it's about to get even more challenging. We are not part of a social club; we are a team with a singular vision and mission. Every member of the body of Christ has a role to play, and there is no retirement from this calling. It's a personal, in-your-face challenge that Jesus himself laid out for us.
I recounted the stories of great faith heroes like Smith Wigglesworth, Marie Woodworth-Etter, and Richard Wurmbrand, who exemplified a deep personal relationship with Jesus, a daily infilling of the Holy Spirit, and a practical life of faith. These individuals did not have privileged backgrounds or formal theological training, yet they accomplished extraordinary things for God's kingdom because of their unwavering faith and obedience.
I also touched on the importance of not seeing the cross as the final destination but as the gateway into a relationship with God. It's about moving beyond the initial decision to follow Christ and into a lifestyle of discipleship, where we actively participate in God's work and grow in our relationship with Him.
Furthermore, I warned against the twin spirits of deception and seduction that seek to draw us away from God, especially in these last days. We are in a spiritual battle, and as Christians, we must be vigilant and prepared for the work that lies ahead.
Lastly, I shared a prophecy by Smith Wigglesworth about a great revival that will come when the word and the Spirit come together, leading to the greatest move of the Holy Spirit the world has ever seen. This revival will not only impact the United Kingdom but will spread across Europe and to the ends of the earth.
Key Takeaways:
- Presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice is not a one-time act but a continuous, daily surrender to God's will. It requires a willingness to be consumed by God's purposes, much like the burnt offerings of old, which were completely given over to God. This level of commitment is the essence of true spiritual worship. [05:30]
- The Christian life is not a passive journey but an active engagement in God's mission. We are called to be on a battleship, not a cruise liner, ready to face the spiritual battles that come with renouncing Satan and his ways. Our lives should make demons tremble, as we carry the glory of God with us wherever we go. [32:24]
- The importance of a deep, personal relationship with Jesus cannot be overstated. It is the foundation upon which a life of faith is built. Without this relationship, our spiritual lives are hollow, regardless of our religious activities or heritage. [23:53]
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily necessity. We must continually seek the Holy Spirit's presence and power in our lives to live out our faith effectively and to be witnesses to the world around us. [24:34]
- The prophecy of a coming revival serves as a reminder that God is not done with His church. We must prepare ourselves for a mighty move of God that will not only transform individual lives but also have a global impact. This revival will be marked by a unity of the word and the Spirit, leading to unprecedented missionary outreach. [35:19]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
- John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
- 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV): "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:1 mean when it talks about presenting our bodies as a "living sacrifice"? How does this compare to the Old Testament sacrifices? [04:43]
2. According to John 10:27-28, what are the characteristics of Jesus' sheep, and what promise does He give them?
3. What warning does 1 Timothy 4:1 give about the latter times, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about spiritual vigilance? [28:55]
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of individuals who lived out their faith in extraordinary ways? [19:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a "living sacrifice" challenge our daily lives and decisions? What does it mean to be "holy and acceptable to God"? [04:43]
2. What does it mean to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, and why is this emphasized as crucial in the sermon? [23:53]
3. How can Christians prepare themselves for the spiritual battles mentioned in the sermon, especially in light of the warning in 1 Timothy 4:1? [28:55]
4. The sermon mentioned a prophecy about a great revival. How should this prophecy influence our current approach to faith and ministry? [35:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways are you presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to God? Are there areas where you struggle with this concept? [04:43]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure this relationship remains strong? [23:53]
3. The sermon warns about the spirits of deception and seduction. What practical steps can you take to guard against these influences in your life? [28:55]
4. Think about the heroes of faith mentioned in the sermon. How can their examples inspire you to live out your faith more boldly and obediently? [19:36]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit daily. How can you make seeking the Holy Spirit's presence a regular part of your life? [24:34]
6. The prophecy of a coming revival calls for preparation. What can you do individually and as a small group to prepare for and participate in this anticipated move of God? [35:19]
7. The sermon mentioned that the Christian life is not a passive journey but an active engagement in God's mission. How can you actively engage in God's mission in your community this week? [32:24]
This guide aims to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon’s message and apply its teachings to their lives. Encourage open and honest discussion, and be prepared to share your own experiences and insights as well.
Devotional
Day 1: Surrender as Continuous Worship
Living a life of faith is not about a single moment of commitment but a perpetual state of surrender to God's will. This surrender is akin to the Old Testament sacrifices, which were offered without blemish, symbolizing complete devotion and acceptance to God. As believers, the call to present our bodies as living sacrifices means that every action, thought, and intention should be an act of worship, holy and pleasing to the Lord. This is not a passive act but an active, daily decision to let God's purposes consume and guide us. It is in this full surrender that we find the essence of spiritual worship, where our lives become a testament to God's transformative power and love. [05:30]
"But present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." - Romans 12:1 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Engaged in God's Mission
The Christian journey is an active engagement in the mission of God, not a leisurely ride. We are called to be warriors on a battleship, prepared to face the spiritual warfare that comes with renouncing evil and living for Christ. This means that our lives should be a source of discomfort for the forces of darkness, as we carry the glory of God with us. It is a serious commitment that requires us to be vigilant, courageous, and ready to play our part in God's plan, understanding that there is no retirement from this divine calling. [32:24]
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh." - 2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively engage in God's mission today? Identify one practical step you can take to be a warrior for Christ in your daily life.
Day 3: Foundation of Personal Relationship
A deep, personal relationship with Jesus is the cornerstone of a life of faith. Without this intimate connection, religious activities and heritage are empty. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, meditation on God's Word, and obedience to His commands. It is in the quiet moments of heartfelt communion with Jesus that faith is strengthened and the believer's journey becomes a vibrant and authentic reflection of God's love. [23:53]
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:6 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on the quality of your personal relationship with Jesus. What is one step you can take today to deepen this relationship?
Day 4: Necessity of the Holy Spirit
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily necessity for living out our faith. The Holy Spirit empowers, guides, and transforms us, enabling us to be effective witnesses to the world. Continually seeking the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is crucial for spiritual growth and for the courage to share the gospel. It is through the Spirit that we can live out the love, joy, peace, and other fruits that mark us as followers of Christ. [24:34]
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5:18 ESV
Reflection: What does being filled with the Holy Spirit look like in your daily life? How can you seek more of the Spirit's presence and power today?
Day 5: Anticipating the Great Revival
The prophecy of a coming revival is a stirring reminder that God has grand plans for His church. This revival, characterized by a harmonious blend of the Word and the Spirit, will lead to a global transformation and a powerful missionary movement. Believers are called to prepare their hearts and minds for this mighty move of God, which promises to bring about the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit the world has ever witnessed. [35:19]
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." - Joel 2:28 ESV
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart for the coming revival? What can you do to foster a greater unity between the Word and the Spirit in your own life?
Quotes
1) "One of my convictions is that being a Christian is serious stuff and that's going to get even harder as time goes on. It's not a club that we join to have a good time. It's where we become a team of people with one vision and one mission. It's a body where each and every part has a role to play, so there is no retirement from this calling." [07:04 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
2) "Each one had a deep personal relationship with Jesus. It wasn't because their father or mother were Christians, or because they went to church. They had a deep personal relationship with Jesus. They were baptized in the Holy Spirit and believed a daily infilling of the Holy Spirit was essential." [24:34 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
3) "The Lord wants us to actually be like this, to live like this, not just for our good but there's a world out there that needs Him. There's a world out there that is desperate to know about Jesus. The enemy used to tell me they don't want to know. It's the truth." [26:02 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
4) "Wigglesworth gave out a prophecy in 1947... When the word and the Spirit come together, there will be the biggest move of the Holy Spirit that nations, and indeed the world, has ever seen. It will mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has been witnessed within these shores." [35:19 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
5) "The truth is we can live without God in our daily lives and call ourselves a Christian, but that doesn't make us one. Matthew 7:21-23 says not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." [13:15 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
6) "If you're not going forward with God, then you'll be going backwards without Him. If you're really a Christian, you need to be going forwards with Him. Mark 16:20... says, 'And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them.' Can you imagine it? Jesus wants to work with us." [15:26 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
7) "Burnt offerings literally mean to ascend or to go up in smoke... The animal's blood was sprinkled around the altar... and that's what they burned slowly over the altar for the whole night. Anyone fancy being a living sacrifice? This is about you and me; it's personal, it's in your face." [05:30 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
8) "Jesus wants to work with us, church. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, and to get involved, not because of any rules or regulations... but because of how Jesus was and what He's done for us. It's about how Jesus will love us as He has in the past, today, and also into the future." [16:55 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
9) "I find so many of us who live as though coming to the Cross is the final destination. But getting to the Cross is not your final destination; it's like the gateway into a relationship with God. Our destination is a personal, deep, loving relationship with God." [09:11 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
10) "We need to be ready for what's about to happen. That's why I wanted to share this word with you this morning because I believe this is the heart of God that is crying out to every Christian in the land: 'Come to me, come to me as you are.'" [37:21 <-s8aJ_kmIOk>]
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