This morning I used Your Personal Invitation (shown here) as part of my message at the Communion service at our church. Note: Please click on the graphic and you'll get a larger, more readable shot.
I've also included the main text of my message here:
Exactly two years ago today I was in London, England, standing in front of Buckingham Palace, watching The Changing of the Guard. What a regal ceremony! Of course I wondered if the Queen was inside and speculated what it would be like if she appeared outside...even for a moment.
What a stir that would cause! What emotion would that stir within the gathered throng? But she didn’t make an appearance!
I’ve never been in the presence of royalty although I’ve rubbed shoulders with some very famous people and, no, I was not at the Senators’ game last night.
Earlier this week I was speaking from Romans 12:1 & 2. Here the apostle Paul challenges the Roman Christians to respond to the many mercies that have been richly bestowed by a loving God.
He writes, “Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” vs. 1 In other words, the apostle is saying, “because of all that God, in Christ Jesus, has done for you…here’s the response that should follow:…”
Earlier in this epistle Paul has written concerning all that God has done. He has provided:
Righteousness through faith in Christ – chap. 3, verse 22
Justification through faith – chap. 5 verse 1
Access by faith into His grace – chap. 5 verse 2
The hope of the glory of God – chap. 5 verse 2
Salvation from God’s wrath through Christ – chap. 5, verse 9
Eternal life, the gift of God, through Jesus Christ – chap. 6, verse 23
No condemnation for those in Christ – chap. 8, verse 1
The Spirit of Sonship making us heirs with God and joint heirs with Christ – chap. 8, verses 15,17
Victory through Christ. We are more than conquerors though Him – chap. 8, verse 37
Security in Christ. As believers, nothing can separate us from Him – chap. 8, verses 38,39
And the list isn’t complete. We’re just scratching the surface of all God has done for us in and through His Son Jesus Christ.
What is your response to Him this morning in view of His mercies? He is here with us today. We are in the presence of the King!
Just wanted you to know I am gaining a daily devotion with your posts of Gods Word for Today. Also, I want you to know and to tell Mike when you see him that the article on his daily faith touched my heart. My family is Methodist and we have always attended services weekly as our boys 17, 14, and daughter 11 have grown. This past year, for whatever reason, we attended a only a few holidays. I read Mikes thoughts on keeping Christ the center of your life and having that daily connection and it truly moved me. I gathered up my family this morning and the five of us were welcomed at church with such warmth and excitement which I call Christian love. The message delivered none other than Keeping Christ the Center of your daily life. We will be back the next Sunday and the next. Mike is such a wonderful role model for my boys and I am so happy we found him through our love for a beautiful Christian lady named Carrie. Carrie is my daughters role model. As a parent, I could not have found two better persons to show my children how you follow Gods word to conduct yourself in life. Mikes saying that it was his parents that kept their family close knit and worshiping made me see that is exactly what I need to be doing as a parent. If my boys grow to be the type of man Mike is, I will be very proud. I'm sure you are very proud of him.
ReplyDeleteHey David..
ReplyDeleteLove this post...
I actually just started reading the book of Romans again last night...only into the first chapter and already God has given me a ton to absorb. Romans has always been one of my favorite books...what I love is that no matter how many times you read a section of scripture there's always something new that God opens your eyes to. Thanks for sharing from your message...looks like it would have been a good one to hear in person.
I didn't get to see the queen when I was at Buckingham palace either...although the first time I was there she was having a tea party in her garden...I saw a bunch of her guests but not her :)
Have a great week David....