God’s great mercy became a transforming reality through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This mercy is a result of God’s love for us, and this love invites us to live differently in the present. We are to be living sacrifices that no longer conform to the patterns of the world. The world around us is deceptive, selfish, angry, and foolish. These cannot be the patterns we live by today. Rather, we must renew the way we think, and in doing so, we will discover God’s will for us in the present. This is not easy however. A living sacrifice is always tempted to crawl back off the altar.
POINT #1: MY CHOICES REVEAL WHO REIGNS IN MY LIFE
Romans 12:21 (ESV)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalm 51:16–17 (ESV)
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
2 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.
POINT #2: CHANGING YOUR PATTERNS WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Can you identify the patterns that need to change?
POINT #3 – TRADE YOUR WILL FOR GOD'S WILL
Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
