Learning how to offer our bodies as living sacrifices in our Lord’s kingdom

The social-gospel concept - What does this church owe me? –Our Lord does not owe us. – “ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' “ {Luke 17:10 } Realizing Our Debt

The social-gospel concept - What does this church owe me? –What can I provide? “ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.“ {Hebrews 10:24,25}

Realizing Our Debt –We owe Him a lifelong debt. –We owe Him our lives “ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. “ {2 Corinthians 5:14,15}

Realizing Our Debt Each of us owes Him a lifelong debt. –Each person owes Him his body as a living sacrifice. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.“ {Romans 12:1}

Offering Our Lives In the local church (1 Peter 2:5) –The church is clearly described as the realm wherein we glorify God. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” {Ephesians 3:20,21}

Therefore, we ought to seek local church membership. –Working together collectively. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.“ {Acts 2:42-44} Offering Our Lives

Therefore, we ought to seek local-church membership. –Paul tried to join the disciples. “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.“ {Acts 9:26,27} Offering Our Lives

Therefore, we ought to seek local-church membership. –Paul and Barnabas in Antioch. “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.“ {Acts 11:25,26} Offering Our Lives

Our Time The present time—TODAY –We don’t know about tomorrow, and yesterday is gone. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;’ whereas, you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.“ {James 4:13,14}

To assemble with the saints –Looking out for one another “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.“ {Hebrews 3:13} Our Time

To study God’s word –To contribute to the teaching “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.“ {Hebrews 5:12} Our Time

To study God’s word –To grow spiritually “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.“ {2 Peter 3:18} Our Time

To study God’s word –To rightly divide the word “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“ {2 Timothy 2:15} Our Time

To encourage, edify, and restore brethren –Help bear one another’s burdens. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“ {Galatians 6:1,2} Our Time

My Cooperation Striving together –Seeking unity “ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. “ {1 Corinthians 1:10}

Striving together –Sacrificing my preferences “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.“ {Romans 14:19} My Cooperation

Striving together –Controlling my tongue “ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. “ {Ephesians 4:29} My Cooperation

“ But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. “ {2 Thessalonians 3:6} My Cooperation Striving together –Discipline

My Money As a faithful steward –All things belong to God. –I use what He has provided to honor and glorify Him. “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it.“ {Deuteronomy 10:14}

As God has prospered me –My giving should be reflective of my income or prosperity. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must also do. On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.“ {1 Corinthians 16:1,2} My Money

As God has prospered me –According to what I have, not what I don’t have. “ For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. “ {2 Corinthians 8:12} My Money

“… No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. “ {2 Samuel 24:24} My Money As God has prospered me –Giving should cost me something.

According to my love for God –Personal choice. “ I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. “ {2 Corinthians 8:8} My Money

Concluding Thoughts Are you paying your personal debts to this local church? What will you do if you fall behind in your payments? “ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ” {1 Corinthians 12:26,27}