Compelled to Sacrifice

1.  Compelled to Sacrifice a.  Sacrifice: “anything consecrated and offered fully to God.” i.  typically associated with death b.  Sacrifice is painful c.  Sacrifice is difficult d.  Sacrifice can feel unrewarding e.  Sacrifice draws us closer to Christ Romans 15:1-6 2.  “have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak” vs 1 a.  “Obligation” or “ought to” i.  a moral obligation or debt to help those who are weaker b.  Sacrifice requires death to self i.  Submit our life to Him (“living sacrifice”) ii.  In Christ through faith, we give our life fully to Him. 1.  “Deny himself” Mark 8:34 2.  “and take up his cross and follow” Mark 8:34 c.  Dead to self means alive in Christ i.  Romans 6:6-7, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” ii.  Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” iii.  2 Timothy 2:11, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him.” d.  Alive in Christ means our heart is for others 3.  “bear with the failings of the weak” 4.  Christ did it first (“for Christ” vs 3) a.  “the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Vs 3 5.  God is our source a.  “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you” vs 5 6.  Harmony is our Individual Goal a.  “you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” vs 5 7.  His Glory is our Collective Purpose a.  “together with one voice glorify…for the glory of God.” vs 7 Romans 12:1-2 8.  We die to self and live for Him. a.  But how? Romans 12 continues and tells us. A “living sacrifice” 9.  Submit our passions to Him (“do not be conformed”) a.  1 John 2:15-16, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” 10.  Submit our mind to Him (“transformed by the renewal of your mind”) a.  God’s Word i.  Hear, read, study, memorize ii.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 iii.  “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 b.  Holy Spirit i.  “Be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18