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Gospel centred sermons, based on the lectionary often in advance.

Aug 18, 2011

Focus reading: Romans 12:1-8 

The central message of this reading is that we should give our love and service, live our Christian lives as a free gift, a gift that is free from the priorities of this world, that as Christians we are not to be squeezed into the world's mould. To live the Christian life, to live for Jesus, means accepting God's love as a free gift and giving our love and service as a free gift in return. We should love God not so God will then love us, we should love God because God already does love us. Think of someone who does not need to work for a living because they are already wealthy, but yet they work hard because they love their work or because they love other people and want to help them. As Christians we have all the love and riches we will ever need from God. We are called to love and serve God and our neighbour not to get stuff or popularity or even God's approval, but because God loves us already, and give us more than enough to share with others.

Questions for thought or discussion.

If we love God and help others to get God's approval who are we really serving? What things have you done for people just to say thank you? Would you still do that stuff even if nothing was expected from the people you are helping? (Why?/Why not?) Given what God has done for us what should we do for God?