Thriving Spiritually: Our Bodies as Living Sacrifices

Devotional

Day 1: Thriving in All Aspects of Life

Thriving means to grow vigorously and flourish despite circumstances. This year, our church aims to thrive spiritually, numerically, financially, missionally, and in ministry. Spiritual growth requires prayer, fasting, and engaging deeply with the Word of God. Thriving is not just about surviving but flourishing in every aspect of life, even when faced with challenges. It involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines that nurture our relationship with God and enable us to grow in faith and service.

[02:25]

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your prayer life and engage more with the Word of God?

Day 2: Our Bodies as Temples

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; we were bought with a price. Therefore, we must glorify God in our bodies and spirits, recognizing the sacredness of our physical form. This understanding calls us to honor God with our bodies, treating them with respect and care as vessels of His Spirit. It also reminds us of the profound value God places on us, having redeemed us at a great cost.

[07:23]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV)

Reflection: How can you better honor God with your body this week, considering it as a temple of the Holy Spirit?

Day 3: From Flesh to Spirit

In the Old Testament, the focus was on physical blessings and the needs of the flesh. However, the New Testament calls us to walk after the Spirit. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. This shift from flesh to spirit involves a daily commitment to live according to God's will, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and decisions.

[19:09]

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:16-17 ESV)

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you need to shift your focus from fleshly desires to spiritual growth?

Day 4: God's Provision

Just as God provided a ram in the thicket for Abraham, He has already provided for us. Our role is to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, trusting that God will take care of our needs. This act of surrender is crucial for experiencing God's provision and miracles. Trusting in God's provision means believing that He knows our needs and will provide in His perfect timing and way.

[23:38]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:19-20 ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's provision? How can you demonstrate that trust this week?

Day 5: Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-2 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This is our reasonable service. We must allow the Spirit of God to rule our lives, resisting the natural inclination to be soul-controlled. This surrender is essential for thriving spiritually. Living as a sacrifice means daily choosing to follow God's will over our own desires, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.

[34:04]

"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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 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?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into the concept of thriving in our spiritual lives, focusing on the importance of our physical bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. We began by revisiting the meaning of "Thrive," which is to grow vigorously and flourish despite circumstances. This year, our church aims to thrive in various aspects: spiritually, numerically, financially, missionally, and in ministry. We emphasized that thriving spiritually requires prayer, fasting, and digging into the Word of God.

We explored 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we are not our own, for we were bought with a price. This led us to discuss the importance of glorifying God in our bodies and spirits. We reflected on the creation of Adam and Eve, noting that while they were made from the dust of the earth, God breathed life into them, making them living souls. This divine breath sets humanity apart from animals and underscores the sacredness of our bodies.

We also discussed the Old Testament focus on physical blessings and how everything was about the flesh. However, in the New Testament, the emphasis shifts to the spiritual. We are called to walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. This transformation requires us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, as stated in Romans 12:1-2. We must allow the Spirit of God to rule our lives, resisting the natural inclination to be soul-controlled.

The sermon concluded with a powerful call to action: to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. This act of surrender is essential for experiencing God's provision and miracles in our lives. We were reminded that God has already provided for us, just as He provided a ram in the thicket for Abraham. Our role is to give ourselves wholly to God, trusting that He will take care of the rest.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 20 teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; we were bought with a price. Therefore, we must glorify God in our bodies and spirits, recognizing the sacredness of our physical form. [07:23]
3. From Flesh to Spirit: In the Old Testament, the focus was on physical blessings and the needs of the flesh. However, the New Testament calls us to walk after the Spirit. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, is essential for spiritual growth and transformation.

4. God's Provision: Just as God provided a ram in the thicket for Abraham, He has already provided for us. Our role is to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, trusting that God will take care of our needs. This act of surrender is crucial for experiencing God's provision and miracles.

5. Living Sacrifices: Romans 12:1-2 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This is our reasonable service. We must allow the Spirit of God to rule our lives, resisting the natural inclination to be soul-controlled. This surrender is essential for thriving spiritually.

### [07:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Introduction to Thrive
[02:25] - Meaning of Thrive
[03:26] - Goals for Thriving
[04:42] - Flourishing in Ministry
[05:15] - Flourishing for All Ages
[06:14] - Overcoming Hindrances
[06:49] - Previous Sermons on Thrive
[07:23] - Importance of Our Bodies
[08:16] - God's Perspective on Us
[09:30] - Revival in Summertime
[10:00] - The Miracle of Life
[10:52] - Creation of Adam and Eve
[12:12] - Humanity's Unique Creation
[12:45] - God's Breath in Us
[13:18] - Born in Sin
[13:54] - The Hyphen of Life
[14:23] - Old Testament Focus on Flesh
[15:41] - Physical Blessings in the Old Testament
[17:31] - Solomon's Pursuit of Fleshly Desires
[18:21] - Transition from Flesh to Spirit
[19:09] - Purpose of the Body
[20:15] - Living Soul and Quickening Spirit
[21:26] - Need for Instruction
[22:43] - Supernatural Element in Life
[23:38] - God's Provision for Abraham
[24:50] - Humanity's Brokenness
[25:47] - Difference Between Facts and Truth
[26:38] - God's Truth vs. Satan's Facts
[27:13] - Need for Redemption
[28:09] - Purpose of the Body
[28:51] - Created to Worship
[29:49] - Spirit-Controlled Life
[30:35] - Struggle Between Spirit and Soul
[31:35] - Natural Man vs. Spiritual Man
[32:25] - Understanding Scripture
[33:02] - Daily Cross-Bearing
[33:34] - Presenting Our Bodies as Living Sacrifices
[34:04] - Transformation Through Renewal
[34:33] - Spirit-Controlled Life
[35:17] - Our Bodies as God's Temple
[35:58] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[36:32] - Meaning of "I AM"
[37:03] - Attributes of God
[37:41] - God's Inexhaustible Resources
[38:16] - Immeasurable God
[38:46] - Measuring God
[39:16] - Revelation to Moses
[39:47] - God's Supremacy
[40:18] - God's Magnitude
[40:48] - God's Sovereignty
[41:39] - God's Eternal Nature
[42:10] - God's Ownership
[42:53] - God's Rule and Reign
[44:03] - Living Sacrifices
[44:45] - Holiness and Acceptability
[45:32] - Misconceptions About Accepting God
[46:13] - Bought with a Price
[47:01] - Three Thoughts in the Bible
[48:00] - Purpose of Worship
[48:31] - Defiling the Temple
[49:19] - Surrendering Ourselves
[49:53] - Admitting Our Stuckness
[50:33] - Allowing Mud in Our Lives
[51:04] - Living Sacrifices and Provision
[52:02] - God's Miraculous Provision
[52:54] - Looking Behind for Provision
[53:44] - Giving Ourselves to God
[54:21] - Waiting for Provision
[55:11] - Personal Call to Action
[55:48] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what is the significance of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit? [07:23]
How does Romans 12:1-2 describe the way we should present our bodies to God? [34:04]
What does Genesis 2:7 reveal about the creation of humanity and the breath of life? [11:44]
In the sermon, what are the different aspects in which our church aims to thrive this year? [02:25]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to recognize that our bodies are not our own but were bought with a price, as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20? [07:23]
How does the concept of presenting our bodies as living sacrifices in Romans 12:1-2 relate to thriving spiritually? [34:04]
What does the sermon suggest about the shift from focusing on physical blessings in the Old Testament to spiritual growth in the New Testament? [19:09]
How does the story of Abraham and the ram in the thicket illustrate God's provision and our need to trust Him? [23:38]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How can you incorporate more prayer, fasting, and Bible study to thrive spiritually this year? [02:25]
In what ways can you honor God with your body, recognizing it as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Are there specific habits or behaviors you need to change? [07:23]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender more fully to God? [34:04]
Think about a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him more in your current circumstances? [23:38]
The sermon calls us to resist being soul-controlled and allow the Spirit of God to rule our lives. What are some specific ways you can cultivate a Spirit-controlled life? [30:35]
How can you support the church's mission to thrive numerically, financially, and missionally? Are there specific actions you can take to contribute to these goals? [02:52]
Identify one area in your life where you feel "stuck." What steps can you take to surrender this area to God and seek His guidance and provision? [49:53]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The word Thrive means this. It means to grow vigorously. That's what the word Thrive means. It means to flourish. Look at your neighbor and say you need to flourish. Amen. It means to progress forward or... Or realize a goal despite or because of circumstance. That's what Thrive means." [02:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I believe that God desires this. Whatever your goal may be at the moment, it may seem very minute to somebody, but it may be very big to you. Amen. And get after that goal until you reach your goal. Amen." [06:14] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you breathe your first breath, amen, when you were born, it was God breathing into you the breath of life. He made you a living soul." [12:45] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are humanity that God made and God breathed into. He did not do that for a dog. And He did not do that for a dolphin. He didn't breathe into them the breath of life. He just told them, be, and there they were. And they were breathing and doing all those things. But God's own breath came into us." [12:12] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I came to tell somebody, in your flesh, amen. Sometimes you've got to look behind you because God's got a blessing there and a provision there to get you where you need to go, amen." [23:38] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "I want everybody to flourish. Not just the ministry team. Not just the people that put their faces up here for you... and dress up and look nice for the cameras. No, no, no, no, no. That's not what this is about. Amen. Amen. But I want... I want everybody to flourish. From the youngest, which now is Amaris, right? He's our youngest. I want... Is that right? I want the youngest to the oldest, which is I don't know who and I'm not going to say. And it ain't me. It ain't me. Hallelujah. Amen. Maybe it's Brother Hal. I don't know. Amen. But it's one of those things that I want everybody to flourish. I want every child. I want every youth. I want every young married couple. I want every middle-aged person. Every elder in this church. I want everybody flourishing. Amen. For the kingdom of God." [05:15] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we're born again, there should be something that happens in us. It goes from flesh to spirit. And I'll get to that too. It puts away the selfishness. Amen. And we begin to turn into what God wants us to do. I came to tell you that the body was made to relate to the natural world around us. That's what the body was made for, to relate. I wish everybody would hear this and get this in your spirit. The body was made to relate to the natural world around us. It is the house, amen, in which our spirit, not talking about God's spirit yet, but this body is the house that my spirit resides in and my soul resides in. It's what this body is here for. My spirit. And my soul resides in this body. This body has its own appetites, but watch this. It will basically obey the soul's commands. Your body will do what your mind tells it to do." [19:09] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are the temple of God. Amen. I was reading the other day and I was reading, it was in the book of Exodus, I was looking for something else, and I saw this. So, Moses is at the burning bush, right? He's at the burning bush, and God had told him, said, I want you to go, and I want you to set my people free. Well, who am I to tell them that sent me? And what God said in Exodus chapter 2, He said, tell them the I AM that I AM has sent you. Amen. I looked up that I AM that I AM, I thought, there's got to be some, and I love it anyway, and I've done this before, but I wanted to get it so I could put it down on paper. And I found it, and so, this is, this is the total, there's a bunch of this, okay, so you got, you're going to have to hang on. Y'all ready? Everybody buckle your seatbelt, stay put, don't run off on me. Don't let your mind wander. Get your mind in here. Amen. Get it off your checkbook, get it off your texting, get it off your girlfriend, your boyfriend, husband, your wife, your kids, and put it on the I AM." [35:17] (89 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I came to tell you. I feel the Holy Ghost so strongly. He didn't create you to sit there and do nothing. He created you to love Him and to worship Him. Amen. We got to be born again. Adam existed. I want you to pay attention to this. I stole this from brother Bernard. He said Adam existed as a spirit controlled man. He didn't have the Holy Ghost. Y'all listening? Adam existed as a spirit controlled man. That's what happens to us when we're born again. We are spirit controlled. We get the Holy Ghost. You know the first thing you're going to do? When you get the Holy Ghost, you're going to go hug somebody." [28:51] (79 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I came to tell you, I've been bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 3.16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Watch this. Watch this. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God. Him shall God. Him shall God. Him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. If I defile it, if I put sin in this body, if I cause this body to do something it's not supposed to do, I better be careful of that, because God's going to destroy you. I'm quoting Scripture. We've got to be careful of what we allow these bodies to do." [48:31] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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