Question of the Day: What gets you in the Christmas spirit?
This week we are going to finish last weeks lesson. For those just joining us online, I'm sorry. We just didn't get through it all last week.
A quick review, last week we talked about being part of the body of Christ. How if our hand is cut off and separate from our body it isn't worth much. It needs to be connected to be amazing. Otherwise it is just a pile of flesh...
We also talked about the beauty in knowing who we are because of who He is and who he created us to be. Once again I am blown away by how Pastor Ryan's email to us all tonight was so fitting. If you haven't read it I encourage you to! It is terrific!
Is there anything else we talked about last week that you want to share?
So let's continue on....
Romans 12: 7-8
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
What are you called to do?
Do you remember back in the first chapter, we talked about Paul's declaration of who he is?
We must know who we are!
We must know who we are because of what Christ has done!
We must know what he has called us to do!
We must know what he has gifted us with.
If you can't answer those questions, then how do we find the answers?
1. Surrender yourself to God. Be a living sacrifice. That is a daily prayer. A practiced state of mind. It is remembering where he has brought you.
2. Time in His word. Time developing the epignosis relationship with Jesus. To know Him will be the best way to know you!
3. Step out in faith and try some things. If you believe you are meant to do something that you aren't currently doing, then.... step out and in faith and start doing. You may learn that you were hearing wrong, or you may have your calling affirmed.
4. Talk with your pastor, talk with a trusted friend. Sometimes others see in us our gifts and talents better than we do. But don't get caught up in what others think to the point that you forget about the opinion of Jesus. Talking and getting Godly counsel can help, but it is only one tool that God can use.
Why must we know these things?
I love the song, Live Like your Loved. The words express, what I believe this chapter is saying. To live like you are loved, to live knowing what Jesus has done for you, and what he has called you to is to live free. Free of fear, free of hesitancy. Free to radically live for him. It may be quiet or loud, teaching or supporting but you will be free to live.
Can you imagine what a church would look like if everyone in it knew who they were and were doing what they were called to do with joy?
To live like your loved is to live like this....
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
In the message it reads...
9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Living like you are loved is to live free from guilt and shame, to love others. Guilt and shame handicaps us. It keeps our focus on our sinfulness instead of on the grace and mercy that we are covered with. It keeps our focus away from God and the mission He has put before us. It keeps us from focusing on others and loving those around us the way we should. This whole last section is rich with how we love those around us! How we serve them, and show them the love of Jesus!
Sometimes there is stuff, ick, yuck, that stands in our way. Today, put it down. Give it to Jesus. Let his mercy, his grace free you to live loved, live free. That freedom and that love will, WILL propel you to serve those around you!
LIVE LOVED!!!
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