Please find below Adam's notes from the Mid-service comments this past Sunday. Think through these comments and read the scriptures we have been drawn to. Meditate on Romans, specifically Romans 12 to see how we are to daily live in love, giving Glory to God. 

We’ve been characterizing the gospel in our Equipping Class recently - identifying a God-centered gospel versus a man-centered gospel. Some components of that gospel: first and foremost, God is holy and is unyieldingly intolerant of sin; man is desperately and utterly sinful; Christ is Savior and Lord; and repentance and belief are necessary for salvation.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is outlined in this very way: there is a Holy God offended by unrighteousness (Romans 1,2); man is the criminal offender (Romans 3); we are set free in Christ (Romans 8:2); the sinner - both Jew and non-Jew - must repent, submit to God's righteousness, and believe in Christ as Savior, for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:3-4).

Therefore, Romans 12:1 says, therefore present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Which is your reasoned, mindful, logical ministry of service in worship to the only worthy God. God is merciful, therefore offer yourself as a sacrifice, a living victim of His mercy and grace…

But manifested how? How do we live as sacrifices?
Love. The answer is love!
Love for a Holy God results in active love for each other, and obedience to Him.

The remaining verses in Romans 12 and the chapters following spell it out in great detail: lovingly and patiently serve one another with the gifts He has given you; love one another with brotherly affection, outdoing one another in showing honor; honor and respect authority; love your neighbor as yourself; walk in love toward one another; pursue peace with one another and build each other up...

And why? Why do we love? Why do we serve one another? Why do we live as sacrifices in worship to God?

Romans 15:6,7 - “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God!”

Why are you here? Why do you sing this morning? Why do we fellowship? Why do we give? Why do we hear preaching? Why do we live? Why are you saved?

It is for God’s glory! God’s glory is our prime objective! Our primary motive.
We are saved for His glory alone (Romans 15:9ff). We are sacrifices for His glory. And we serve each other for His glory alone!

The gospel? It impacts the believer daily. Who do you love? Have you submitted to the Holy God? Then sacrificially love His body - the church. Love one another, for in so doing we glorify the only one deserving of glory: our King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.