This Life I Live - August 2019

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“Who are you going to live for today?” I like to ask my son this question at the start of a day. While I have to confess some skepticism at how much a 3-year old can process something so deep, at the same time, this practical commitment can be somewhat simple. We’ve gone over the many possible answers that really boil down into these three: yourself, others, or Christ. What I find interesting is that in this order, it’s really hard to get past number one. Let me just say, I am really good at serving myself. My natural inclination is to be first in line for ice cream… So is Nathan’s, for the record. But not only does such a selfish lifestyle never deliver on bringing real satisfaction, God’s Word has a lot to say about it (Ps 119:36; Phil 2:3; 1 Cor 10:24; Jam 3:16).

So what about “others”? Surely the second greatest commandment (Mark 12:31) to love our neighbors as ourselves is a great posture to live by. Should we love other people? Yes. Should we live by the opinions of others and idolize making them happy? No. Paul says if we live by the approval of others, we are not servants of Christ (Gal 1:10), ouch! God put loving others second for a reason, after loving God first. We love others out of our love for Christ. And we can only love anyone because God first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).

The heart of this question I ask my son is not to minimize love for others and love of self (which viewed rightly are both Biblical), but instead to maximize love for Christ, which is ultimate! And love for Christ necessarily leads to love of others and a godly love of self. We live for Christ. Why? Because we belong to Him. He has purchased our very lives with His blood. This is why the Bible calls Him our Redeemer. He has bought us out of slavery to sin and graciously calls us to follow Him. We live for Him as a response to what He has done for us. Will we do this perfectly? Of course not, but His power is made perfect in our weakness and His grace is sufficient for our deficiencies. And by His Spirit, He enables us to walk in a way that honors Him.

Still, this daily response that needs daily reminder. Who will you live for today? Modern hymn “This Life I Live” helps to set our minds and hearts on the proper response to God’s love for us in Christ.

- Jonathan

This Life I Live

Written by Michael Morrow

Lyrics:

This life I live is not my own (1 Cor 6:19)
For my Redeemer paid the price (1 Cor 6:20)
He took it to be his alone (John 10:28)
To be his treasure and his prize (1 Pet 2:9)
The things of earth I leave behind (Phil 3:7-8)
To live in worship of my King (Rom 12:1-2)
His is the right to rule my life (Eph 1:15-21; Tit 2:11-14)
Mine is the joy to live for him (Ps 16:11; Rom 5:1-5; Phil 4:4)

I died to sin upon the cross (Rom 6:11)
I’m bound to Jesus in his death (Gal 2:20)
The old is gone and now I must (2 Cor 5:17)
Rely on him for every breath (Pr 3:5-6; Jn 15:4-5; Phil 4:13,19)
With every footstep that I tread (Ps 119:105)
What mysteries he has in store (1 Cor 2:9)
I cannot know what lies ahead (2 Cor 5:7)
But know that he has gone before (Heb 4:14-16)

There is a voice that pierced the grave (John 11:43)
A power that rolled the stone away (Rom 8:11, 10:9)
A sound of life, I know I’m saved (John 5:24; Eph 1:13-14)
The voice of God has called my name (John 10:27)
So I will rise, and in the air (John 5:25-29, 6:40; 1 Thess 4:16-17)
Behold the glory of the King (Mt 5:8; 1 Cor 13:12; 2 Cor 3:18; Rev 5:13)
I will not fear to meet him there (Job 19:26-27; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Jn 3:1-2)
I know my life is hid with him (Col 3:3-4)

© 2009 Michael Morrow / CCLI #193208

Aug 4, 2019 - Set List

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Teaching Passage: Romans 4:19-21

Strengthening Our Faith

OUTLINE:

  1. Problems must be addressed

  2. Promises must be addressed

  3. Praise of God must be routine

    Action Steps

    1. Faith maturity depends upon comprehending divine character.

    2. Salvation is the same for all: being born anew from death.

    3. Salvation is not secure unless entirely by divine grace.

    4. Saving faith endures strong regardless of obstacles.

    5. Unbelief is the most serious sin.

    6. The gospel is the same for all ages and nations.

Set List:

Glory to God Forever
God is For Us
It Is Well With My Soul
All Glory Be To Christ
The Doxology
Grace Alone