Becoming A Living Sacrifice,

BECOMING A LIVING SACRIFICE

(Keeper Of The Vision)

Romans 12:1-4

 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.

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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

A PRESENTATION TO GOD

The word beseech in verse 1 is the Greek word "parakeleo" which means a call to

come near or to invite. It is not a command but a call to come close to God.

God placed us in the body of Christ, but we have to make a decision to come

close to Him. We have to break away from the world to get close to God.

John 15:4-5

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

The only way you and I can get close to God is through the mercy He presented us with

through the death of His son on the cross. His mercy covered our sins so we are made

acceptable to Him. Without God's mercy we are doomed to the eternal hell.

Romans 9:15-16

For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

The body that was birthed in the world was created new in Jesus Christ.

We have been set aside for God's own use.

Our bodies are the vessels God uses to perform His will on earth.

The good work God has begun in us can only be completed with the presentation

of ourselves wholly to God.

THE SACRIFICE

The first sacrifice that God made was in the Garden of Eden with the killing of

an animal to make a covering for the sin of Adam and Eve. This was symbolic of

sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross.

Sacrifice became a command of God to man. Let me suggest that the

sacrifice offered to God was designed to keep man focused on God.

We need to keep in mind that God is the authority over our lives.

Abel's sacrifice was acceptable to God, but Cain's was not. Abel brought

the very best to God.

Genesis 4:3-5

3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.

4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.

God does not tell us in Genesis why Cain's offering was not acceptable to Him.

Abel's offering required the killing of an animal, a blood sacrifice.

Cain's offering required no effort, just the picking of fruit from a tree.

It is not until we get to the New Testament that God explains His dissatisfaction.

Hebrews 11:4

 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Cain brought an offering, but not by faith in God.

It is by faith that we accept Christ as our personal Savior. It is by faith in the Word

of God that we are to offer ourselves to God.

It is by faith in the Word that we recognize that we are sinful creatures in need of a

Savior.

The animal offered was dead, but God wants a living sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:3-4

But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,

4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

THE PARDONING OF GOD

The pardoning of sin is by God Himself.

Salvation is by the Grace and mercy of God.

It by God's grace that we were chosen before the foundation of the world.

Grace is God's divine influence upon our heart and it reflection in our lives.

Mercy is God extending His help for the consequences of our sins. God

forgives the guilty.

It is grace that protects us and mercy that frees us.

To receive the pardoning God requires a confession of our sins.

It is God's love for us that opens the door for confession.

THE NEED FOR CONSECRATION

"We must be holy and acceptable".

The word holy is the Greek word "hagos", which means morally  blameless.

We attain this attribute not on our own, but by being set apart by Holy Spirit

which purifies and sanctifies us.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit that make us acceptable to God.

The work on our part starts with a decision to please God.

Hebrews 11:6

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

To each is given a measure of faith that we must use to please God.

Romans 8:13

 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

NIV

Colossians 3:5-6

 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

NEED FOR COMMITMENT

"To present ourselves" means to make a commitment.

The commitment we make to God sets us up for additional blessing

1 Peter 4:19

 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Acts 20:32

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

To make a commitment we have to put our minds and bodies under control

Acts 20:32

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

We must remember the moment we commit ourselves to God, Satan get busy

 to undermine our efforts.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4

 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

REASONABLE SERVICE

God did not call us out of the world to be inactive in the body of Christ.

We were called to glorify God with our service.

Romans 15:5-6

 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:16

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

To serve God requires a lifestyle change.

We cannot serve the world and God. We have to make a choice.

Romans 12:2

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ephesians 6:7-8

 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

THE SACRIFICE YOU MAKE FOR OTHERS WILL BE RETURNED

What we do for others will bring joy and peace to your lives.

2 Corinthians 9:10-12

 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Let me suggest that if we could get away from being selfish, we would

expand and broaden outlives.

We are all part of  one BODY, the body of Jesus Christ. All of us are

building blocks in the Church of Jesus Christ. What we do for others

is returned and multiplied in many ways.

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Keys To Christian Living" Romans 12, 8/19/2018

KEYS TO CHRISTIAN LIVING

Romans 12:9-21

SINCERE LOVE

V:9. " Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. "

A. The word love here is agape which is God's willful direction toward man.

     1. God does what is best for us.

     2. We should be imitators of God's love to others.

     3. If imitators, we should be sincere.

     4. We can be fakes before man, but never before God.

B. Since we are imitators of God's love, we should seek the

    good for another person.

   1. Not only that we should the example of what is good.

   2. The world knows evil because it is all around us.

   3. The only way the world will know the difference between good and

       evil. is the good they see in us.

HONOR OTHERS IN CHRIST

V:10. " Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.'

A. The word love here is Greek word "philadelphia" which is a fraternal affection'

    1. It is our love toward a brother or sister.

    2. Philadelphia is just our kind affection toward another, and may not have

        anything to with what is best for the person.

    3. Agape is always what is best for the other person according to God's will.

B. Since we are to be imitators of God's love, we should put needs of other s

    above our own.

    1. God loves the humble and hates the proud.

    2. Since we are imitates of Jesus, we cannot put ourselves above others.

    3. The moment we ourselves above others we step into the proud zone.

    4. I am not knocking self esteem, bur our self esteem should  not be to the

        degrading of another person.

DON'T NEGLECT SERVING GOD

V:11. " Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

A. The business of the Lord should take priority in our lives.

     1. We should be careful not to lose our excitement regarding doing

         the Lord's work.

     2. It certainly easy to get into a routine of working and paying bills,

         and fail to spent time studying the Word of God.

     3. It is the Word that brings the conviction and promotes the excitement

         in serving the Lord.

B. The indwelling spirit in the believers, communicates with the Spirit

     of God during our study and meditation on God's Word.

    1. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to teach us the true meaning of the

        Word of God.

    2. If you want a close relationship with Jesus, you must study

        His Word.

    2. Jesus will abide in you as you abide in His Word.

    3. The Word is Jesus.

ATTITUDE OF ENDURANCE   

V:12. " Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. "

A. The original Greek reading of this verse, put the noun before the

     adjective.

     1. In Hope, be joyful.

       a. Our hope is based on the promises of God.

       b. Since God  keep His promises, we should be joyful.

B. In Affliction be patient.

    1. One of the qualities of Christian service is waiting on the

        Lord.

    2, God works things out in His own time.

    3. He makes our affliction work to our good.

    4. Our faith in the power of the Lord is built as we wait on Him.

C. In prayer be faithful.

    1. We are pray without ceasing.

    2. We ought to pray expecting our needs be meet.

    3. We out pray with thanksgiving.

PRACTICE BEING GENEROUS

V:13. "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

A. God has been generous to us, therefore we are expected to be

     generous to others in need.

    1. Acts 20:35

       "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the  

       weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give   

       than to receive."

   2. You kind and generous giving to others, prepares the way for you good

       quality of life.

B. The fact that you have the resources and the energy to give is a blessing

       from God.

    1. In our giving. the Lord sets us up to do more giving.

PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES

V:14. " Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

 A. This command goes against our flesh.

    1. We have been taught to defend ourselves.

    2. We don't want to seem weak when someone is troubling us.

 B. One thing I have learned is hurting people do hurting things.

    1. Sometimes a kindness from you will cause them to rethink

        there words and actions.

    2. When we curse someone, we are trying to invoke God to

        be intolerant with them and do harm.

    3. We have to remember that God is constantly tolerant with us.

    4. Our command is to bless with kind words and actions.

       5. Someone with an evil heart, may not have had the benefit of a loving

           and kind family.

        6. Since the prayers of the righteous gets the attention of God, we have the

            to effect change in the lives of evil doers. 

BE WHATEVER YOUR BROTHER NEEDS

V:15. " Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

A. We should happy when others are happy.

     In so doing we share their joy and spread it throughout our circle.

   1. There are no promises in this life. We have to enjoy every moment,

   2. The joy we share is the joy we carry with us.

B. There is a time for everything.

   1. Sorrow can come to us in many ways.

   2. When others are hurting we should show our sympathy by sharing in their

        sorrow.

   3. We should be the shoulder that people can expect an encouraging word.

   4. Sometimes people just need a listen ear, and the assurance that everything is

       going to be ok.

   5. Praying with someone in times of sorrow is powerfully enough to lift the

       spirit of the person who is morning. 

PEACE BEGINS WITH YOU

V:16. " Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. "

A. Peace always begins with you.

    1. The most difficult situation can be handled peacefully.

    2. You don't have to agree with someone to be in harmony with them.

    3. You can always agree to disagree.

B. One way to be peaceful with another person is to see the situation from

    their point of view.

   1. Your view is never the only right view.

   2. When you are proud of your opinion, you eliminate the possibility of

       a better way.

   3. In God's eyes we are all equal. There are no big "I" and little "You"

ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING

V:17. " Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."

A. You can always be the bigger man or the bigger woman.

    1. Tit for tat puts you on the same level.

    2. The best thing you can do for someone who is intent on doing you wrong

        is to do them good.

    3. You don't want to be characterized as a trouble maker, but a problem

         solver.

B. When you so what is right regardless of the wrong done to you

     you set the standard for others to follow.

LEAVE THE REVENGE TO GOD   

V:18-19. : If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. "

A. No one knows the situation between you and another person as well as God.

    1. You may be arguing about something that neither one of you fully understand.

    2. If someone has wronged you, God knew it before you became aware of it.

B. Something God's allows for you to learn to put your full trust in Him.

    1. Your failure to seek revenge is not a weakness, but the strength you place

        in the Lord.

    2. God knows how to handle your situation so it works best for you and

        worst for the evil doer.

    3. When you are peaceful, the evil doer may wonder what power you hold

        over them.

    4. You can say I love you to your enemy while God handles the satiation.

BE KIND TO YOU ENEMIES

V: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."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. "

A. We must first know the Word of God, believe the Word before you can

     put it into practice in your life.

   1. Isaiah 54:17

       "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that

       accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their

       vindication from me,"  declares the Lord. "

  2. Problems in your life are God's opportunity to be glorified.

  3. It is as easy  to be kind as it is to seek revenge.

  4. The war between the spirit and the flesh can only be won if you turn

       your problems over to God.

B. Trusting God requires you to be kind and generous to your enemy while

     He handles  the problem.

   1. A person who is evil to you is shocked when you are kind to them.

   2. When you forgive, the burden of asking for forgiveness is on the

       other person. Isaiah 54:17

 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,"  declares the Lord.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and visit my blogs

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

Brotherhood Lesson, "Being Led By The Spirit"

BEING LED BY THE LORD

Matthew 2:1-12

 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:11-12

GOD USES YOUR PASSION TO DRAW YOU TO HIM

V.1-2. " After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

A. Some times God speaks to you through your passion.

    1. The Magi may have been Astrologers, religious men and magicians.

    2. Whatever they were,  their focus was vertical, toward the sky.

    3. Let me suggest that they were more religious than the Jewish leaders.

    4. The Jewish religious leaders were focused horizontal.

        a. They were concerned about how other people saw them.

        b. Their focus was on power, authority and riches.

B. The Star was seen in both the east and Israel.

    1. The shepherd saw the light the night of Jesus birth and broadcasted it

         throughout Bethlehem without making an impact .

    2. Israel had their long awaited Messiah in front of them and didn't recognize

        Him. They were blinded by their passion of status and control.

        Daniel 9:25

        Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to

        restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and

        threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in

        troublous times.

       The Old Testament recorded the time, the place and the method of Jesus birth.

       The Jewish leader had this information but refused to live by it.

LET THE WORD CONVICT YOUR HEART

    3. The Magi were impacted and convinced by what they saw was the birth

        of a King.

C. Being convinced, of what they saw, they made a commitment to seek out the

     King.

   1. The Magi recognized the Star as something special

   2. It may be possible that they had a copy of the Old Testament.

        Numbers 24:17

        "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a    

         scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all   

         the sons of Sheth. "

Micah 5:2

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

   3. Not only were they Astrologers, but also mathematicians. They were able to    

       triangulate  the position of the Star as pointing to Bethlehem. 

YOU CAN LEARN FORM PEOPLE OF OTHER CULTURES     

D. Let me make some suggestions about  the Magi

     1.They studied the Word.

     2. They were convicted by the Word.

     3. They were committed to worship the King.

     4. They acted on their belief

     5. Isaiah 7:14

        a. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and    

            will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

        b. The name Immanuel means "God with us" which is symbolic  for Messiah.

 E. I believe the Magi were wise not only because of their education

      but because they came looking for the king.

PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH MAY BELIEVE THE CONTENT OF THE WORD

V:3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

  A. When the Herod was  disturbed all Israel had reason to be disturbed.

       1. To protect his position he killed his previous wife, brother in law

           and sons.

       2.  He had a reputation for being cruel.

 B. Anyone that threaten Herod position would be eliminated

THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW GOD KNOW BELIEVERS (YOU)

V:4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he

   asked them where the Christ was to be born.

5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

A. Like the Magi, Herod the king trusted the accuracy of the Word.

     The Jewish leaders, who were keepers of the Word, knew the scripture concerning the

     coming of the Messiah, but were not phased by the news of His birth.

   1. One of the jobs of a believer  is to search the scriptures to discover its truth.

   2. The ruling Jews neglected their duty.

   3. We fail not only our selves but our families when we fail to study the scripture.

B. The ruling Jews had the information about the birth of Jesus 1 to 2 years earlier

    1. See verse 16

GOD MAY USE THE ENEMY TO GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS

V:7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

A. God does not give you all information concerning your research at one time.

    1. He leads you in a direction to get what you need at the time of your need.

    2. God sometimes uses different sources to give you the information you seek.

        a. He used the Herod the King

        b. He used the Jewish leader call by Herod.

B. God does not always tell you what danger you are in.

    1. God protects you in dangerous situation on way to serve Him.

    2. Herod had the resources to kill the Magi at any time.

C. In our research, every discovery confirms our conviction of the truth.

    1. Their research of the stars reveal a special star, A unique star which

        confirm Numbers 24:17

    2. They recorded the exact time of the appetence of the star.

    3. The appearance of the star confirm Daniel 9:25

    4. Their questioning of Herod and the Jewish leaders reveal the birth place

        to be Bethlehem which confirm Micah 5:2

WE MUST ACT ON THE INSITE GOD GIVES

V:9-10. " After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

A. God leads those who seek Him to Himself

    1. When you serve the Lord, He continues to confirm

         His directions to you.

    2. The wise men had not seen the star since Jesus birth.

    3. After visiting Herod, God place the star before them to

        guide them to Jesus.

  B. Jeremiah 29:13

      You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

    Matthew 6:33

    But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to     

    you as well.

QUESTIONS FOR GOD

C. Why did the Lord wait until after the Magi visited Herod to place

      the guiding star back in the sky?

    1. To force the Jewish leaders to search the scriptures concerning Jesus

    1. To remind the Israelites that their Messiah was alive and well.

    2.  To stir up their religious zeal.

    3. To show that we don't have to have all the answers for the work

        God has for us.

4. Why did Joseph wait 2 years before leaving Bethlehem?

    a. His purpose for going to Bethlehem was to get registered.

    b. That being accomplish, why didn't he return to his home in

         Galilee?

5. The answer may be to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies

    Psalms 80:8-9

    You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

    You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.

Hosea 11:1

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

To fulfill this prophecy, Joseph had to take Jesus into Egypt.

Matthew 2:13

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

THE WAY TO WORSHIP THE LORD

V:11 "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. "

A. The text gives us four reasons why the Magi did not see Jesus in the manger

     1. This verse says that they saw Jesus in a house

     2. In this verse "child" is the Greek word paidion which is little child.

     3. In Luke 2:12 the word used for Jesus at his birth is brephos which means

         infant.

     4. In verse 2:16, Herod kill all male children from 2 years and younger

         a. The Greek word for children is pais which mean boy, child , young man

B. Those who seek the Lord will find Him.

     1.  Jeremiah 29:13

      You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

     2. There is a proper way to worship the Lord.

         a. The Magi, humble themselves before the Lord by bowing down.

         b. They worshipped the Lord. reverence or adore  by prostrating themselves

         c. The brought sacrifices to honor Him.

         d. The gold represented His kingship

         e. The Incense represented His deity.

         f. The myrrh represent His  humanity, death, His mission on earth

   

GOD PROTECTS THOSE THAT WORSHIP HIM

V:12. " And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. "

A. Psalms 37:23

    The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

    1. God knows the evil plans of your enemies.

    2. God directs us away from trouble.

  

MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO FOLLOW GOD'S DIRECTION

Rev. M. Mitchell

God's Vision Keeper Are Helpers Lesson 3

VISION KEEPERS ARE HELPERS

(Book by Kendrix Gardner)  Lesson 3

THE GIFTS OF HELPS

1 Corinthians 12:28-30

28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

The gift of helps can apply to anyone. It is not likely to have a title in the church. Helps

is a ministry that requires you to serve others in need. The one who has the gifts of helps

can serve in every area of ministry.

The gift of helps was first recognized in the early Church with the formation of the

Deacons. In the early Church their was a problem with serving of the Grecian women.

Every member of the Church had put all their resources in to one pool. The Deacons

job was to ensure proper distribution to meet everyone's needs.

Those who serve as helpers have an unselfish spirit. Those  who have the gift of helps

are guided by the Holy Spirit. They have a compassion to serve where ever they

are needed in any capacity.

The greatest servant in the Bible is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the

role model. He said: Mark 10:45-46

 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

We were called out of the world to be God's servants.

1 Peter 4:10

 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Those who serve derive their strength from Christ,

2 Corinthians 13:4

4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.

HELPERS HAVE A HUMBLE HEART

A servant takes the lowest position. Mary Madeline served Jesus faithfully after

her conversion. She showed her love and compassion for Jesus in the way she

served

Luke 7:44

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

John 12:3-4

 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary came to Jesus to serve with the resources she was blessed with. What God gave

her, she gave back in service. We should spare no expense to serve God. What

Mary poured on the Lord's feet was a years salary.

Jesus gave us the picture of a servant at the last supper with His disciples.

John 13:4-5

 So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

GREATNESS IS FOUND IN SERVING

Matthew 23:11

The greatest among you will be your servant.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

We have it switch around. We think we are being exalted when we step out in

front of everyone.

HELPERS ARE THE SOLUTION

In the church there will always be problem.

Matthew 26:11

The poor you will always have with you

Helpers see a problem and take on the responsibility to solve it.

Helpers don't run to the Pastor with the problem. Helper run to the

Pastor and offer themselves as the solution.

Since God's house is your house, you shouldn't be told do what you know

need to be done. For example. if you see a piece of paper on the floor or

in the parking lot, pick it up.

Men and boys are bad about not flushing the toilet after urinating

in the Church.

If you are in the Church and a toilet is not flushed, flush it.

Just because you have not been assigned to a particular task,

does not mean you can't get involved.

If you know something is not being done in the Church that need to be done,

maybe that is the ministry you can start.

Romans 12:4-6

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

1 Corinthians 12:18

 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

We are all here to serve each other.  Where would we be without the farmer? Where

would the farmer be without us?

Ephesians 2:22

 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit

Ephesians 4:16-17

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

All of us has work to do in the body of Christ. None of us should covet  another

persons gift.  we should focus on what we can do with the gifts God has given us.

VISION KEEPERS ARE LIVING SACRIFICES

Romans 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.

In order to serve, you have to see yourself as a sacrifice worth having.

There is always someone who can benefit from your service.

There is always someone who is in need of what you have to offer.

I cannot sing and I am off key when I dance. But on first and third Sundays,

I be in youth church making a fool out of myself trying to encourage

the youth to praise God.

Christ gave His life for me. It not to much for me to be foolish in my

heart felt worship with the youth.

Hebrews 13:15

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name.

If I am going to be foolish, why not be a fool for Jesus.

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

You can make a sacrifice with out mercy. But you can't show mercy without a

sacrifice.

The very first sacrifice made in the Bible was in the Garden of Eden, when God

killed an animal to make a covering for Adam and Eve after they sinned.

Do you realized that when Satan the Arch Angel sinned, God did not make an

offering for his sin. Let me suggest that the reason is that Satan's sin was

of the spirit, but Adam's sin was of the flesh.

It takes a blood sacrifice to cover our sins. Jesus shed His blood on the cross

for you and me.

It should be nothing for us to sacrifice time and money to serve others.

GOD SACRIFICES HIS GRACE AND MERCY FOR US.

Grace is God's favor toward us. Mercy is God's forgiveness of our sins.

Romans 3:22-23

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Each day God makes a sacrifice for us through the blood of His Son.

Romans 3:25-26

 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Everyday we have to make a choice to sacrifice ourselves to God.

It is either, the world or God.

John 15:19

 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

WE ARE WINNERS WITH THE ARMOR OF GOD

The flesh in us want to chose the world. The Spirit in us which is of Jesus

chooses Him

Romans 7:23-25

 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is normal to be pulled away from serving God. That is the weakness in us which

is of the flesh. It takes the strength of Jesus to resist the flesh to serve God.

To serve God is a constant battle against the flesh. Satan don't take no

days off. Satan constantly reminds you that it don't take serving to get

into heaven.

Ephesians 6:11-12

 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

REV. M, MITCHELL

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Grace Of Giving", 8/12/2018

THE GRACE OF GIVING

2 Corinthians 8:7-15

Chapter 8 starts off with a progress  report of the giving in a special offering

by the Macedonian Churches. The Churches in Jerusalem was in dire need and

the churches in Macedonia rose to the occasion. They themselves were in poverty, but

gave generously above their means by the grace of God.

In fact the Macedonia Churches, not considering their own needs, begged to give in the

special offering to the Jerusalem churches. They sacrificed themselves for the better

good of others.

EXCEL IN THE GRACE OF GIVING

V:7-8 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

A. I think that it is good encouragement to hear about the generosity of others to

     those in need.

    1. The Macedonia Churches didn't have it to give, but their desire to give

        cause the grace of God to fall fresh on them so they were able to give

        well above their means.

    2. God  can make away out of no way.

    3. With a desire to give, God can take the little you have and multiply it

        to take care of your needs and the needs of the receiver of your desires.

B. We can do all things through faith in our God who strengthens us.

   1. No matter how bad you situation is, there is someone who in worst

       shape than you.

   2. There are some areas where it is easy for us to excel in because of

       grace God has given us.

   3. The Churches at Corinth believed in God, proclaim the Gospel, studied the

       Word and had a genuine love for one another.

   4. Paul gave the a good old pat on the back for excellent in these areas.

C. Paul encouraged the Corinthian Churches to give the same energy and zeal to

     the "grace of giving".

    1. Grace is God's favor towards us.

    2. Every day we awake we are showered with God's grace.

    3. Since God has shown us favor in areas of our lives, we ought

        favor others with generosity in our giving to their needs.

   4. The needs of others is a window of opportunity for us to

       express our love in a tangible way to them.

D. In this case, the Apostle Paul was not commanding the churches to give,

     but urging them to give as a show of the sincerity of their love

     to brothers and sisters in need.  

JESUS ,THE EXAMPLE OF GIVING

V:9. " For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. "

A. The greatest example of love is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

    1. In heaven, Jesus was second in the Holy Trinity, and rich beyond any

       measure we can conceive of.  

    2. For the joy of our eternal life, Jesus stepped down out of heaven and

        was born into a poor family to die on the cross for our sins.

    3. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice, himself, to atone for our sin

B. 1 Peter 3:18

      For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to     

      God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

    1. Being in Christ Jesus, we have access to all abundance which is Christ.

    2. What ever we sow in the name of Jesus will be multiplied in all

         abundance.

    3. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

        Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and   

        increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

       11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every

        occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

MAKE A VOW TO GIVE AND KEEP IT

V:10-11. " And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you   

 were  the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.

 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your

 completion of it, according to your means. "

A. Whatever we start for Christ, we should complete.

    1. When we make a vow, we should be careful to fulfill it, because others

        rely on our trust worthiness.

    2. Others may find encouragement to give because of our generosity.

    3. Maybe the Churches in Macedonia were encouraged to give because of

        what they heard the Corinthian  Churches were doing.

B. God blesses the start of good works to their completion.

    1. We should never loose heart in doing good.

    2. It is the Spirit of God that drives us to start and it should be the spirit of

        God that strengthen us to complete a good work.

    3. Galatians 6:9-10

        Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

       if we do not give up.   Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,

       especially to those   who belong to the family of believers.

     4. We must never forget that whatever we sacrifice for others in the name

          of Jesus stores up treasures in Heaven for us.

        Luke 6:38

        Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together  

        and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will   

        be measured to you."

GOD PROVIDES FOR OUR GIVING

V:12. " For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. "

A. God will never ask us to give what He has not already blessed us with.

    1. Malachi 3:10

       Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test 

       me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates

       of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

    2. The tithe is 10 percent of a blessing that God has already given to us.

        1. To give we must arrange our priorities so God is first in our activities.

        2. Before we pay any bills, we are commanded to pay God first.

 B. Giving is a command with a promise of more giving from God.

     1. we may never be able to see how we can live off of ninety percent of our

         income.

     2. There in lies the problem our desire to see before we give.

     3. The just live by faith and not by sight.

SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE

V:13-14. " Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,"

A. What goes around comes around is an tried and tested saying that is based on the

      Word of God.

     1. 2 Corinthians 9:6

        Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows

        generously will also reap generously.

    2. God gives to us so that we can give to others so that His will shall be done.

    3. We are not an island to ourselves.

    4. We all need each other,

B. God never told us that serving Him would be easy.

    1. He did tell us that we would face trials and tribulations because of

        our love for Him.

        Luke 23:31

        For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

        John 15:20

        Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If   

        they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying,

        they will keep yours also.

    2. Jesus also promised that He would never leave us or forsake us.

    3. The Churches in Jerusalem were facing persecution because of

         teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

      a. Their need arrived from their love for Christ.

      b. God used the generosity of the Churches in other cities to provide for

          needs.

 EQUALITY AMONG BELIEVERS      

15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

A. If the world was equal, there would be no rich or poor people.

     1. Unfortunately we live in a world where the rich get richer and the

         poor get poorer.

     2. In the Church  it is not so. We are all equal under the Lord.

         1 Corinthians 12:25-26

          so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal   

         concern for each other.

         26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part

         rejoices with it.

B. In order to be in a mode of sharing you have to have a unselfish attitude.

    1. To go along with the unselfishness is total dependence on God.

    2. To give up the excess of life is to live each day with the assurance that

         God will take care of tomorrow.

    3.Giving takes on a whole new priority when you put God at center of your

     existence.

    4. The reason of our existence is God's continuous giving to every area of our

          lives.

POINT TO REMEMBER ABOUT GIVING

   Here are four things I have learned about giving.

     1. We should give joyfully

          2 Corinthians 9:7

          Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or  

          under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

      2. We should give Sacrificially.

           We don't test our faith unless we push our giving to the limit.

           We there no way to know how much you can give unless you

           trust God with your finances.

           Hebrews 11:4

           By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was

          commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by

          faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

      3. We should give Expectantly.

           Luke 6:38

           Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together

          and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it

          will be measured to you."

         There is no way to get the running over blessing unless you give trusting

          that God will fulfill His promise.

      4. We should give Completely.

           To give completely you have step out on faith and let God support you.

            Matthew 14:28-29

           "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

            "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and  

             came toward Jesus. "

 

           Since God said it, you have to believe it and act upon it.

   

           I heard a preacher say that giving completely means:

           "NO RESERVES, NO RETREATS, AND NO REGRETS.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston Texas, 77041

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