1. Introduction

2. Consideration

• Therefore... (v.1)
• I urge you brothers...
• in view of God's mercies...

• To offer your bodies
• As living sacrifices
• holy
• pleasing (acceptable)
• This is your spiritual act of worship

• Do not conform
• any longer
• to the pattern
• of this world
• But be transformed
• by the renewing
• of your mind

• Then you will be able...
• To test
• To approve what God's will is:
• Good
• acceptable
• perfect

We need to look at God and what He has done

The more we look at God, the more we look like God

The more we look at God, the more we look like how God wants us to look

The more we look at God, the more we see what He wants us to be

The more we see like God, the more we will be what He wants us to be

Who?

    We …

a. Distinct from the Gnostics
b. Partnered with the lead Colossians
c. United with the entire church

    Proclaim Him …

a.  Admonishing
    1.  Winning the heart
    2.  Warming the head
b.  Teaching
    1. by what you say
    2. by what you do
c.  In all wisdom
    1. Sophia
        Human wisdom
    2. Hochma
        Godly wisdom
        The fear of the Lord
        The skill of living life...the way God would have it be lived

a. Everyone
b. Everyone
c. Everyone

a.  To present
b.  Perfect in Christ
c.  To this end

I

a. Labor
b. Struggling

a.  With all His energy
b.  That so powerfully works in me

Introduction

- Everyone will and does serve  something or someone.

- Everyone will serve only one something or someone.  MATTHEW 6: 24

- Often what we appear to be serving is only a smoke screen for what we really are serving.  (self).

- Service without J O Y is futile, frustrating and fleshly (carnal).

- Scripture:    ROMANS 7:6

                   GALATIANS 5:13

I. Jesus FIRST.

II. Others SECOND.

III. Yourself LAST.

I. JESUS WANTS THE USE OF WHATEVER YOU HAVE!

    A. He wanted the use of their boat. v2-3

    B. He has a right to it because it is truly His!

        1. Everything we have is His and provided by Him. Psa 24:1; Deut 8:18

        2. We are stewards of all our possessions; will give an account to Him.

        3. We should view our possessions as provided by God for our needs and for His work. 2Cor 9:8

    C. He wants it for use in His work.

    ...His work: catching people and teaching God's Word.

II. JESUS WANTS THE USE OF YOUR LIFE. v3

    A. He calls His people to partnership in His activity.

    B. Christian work is a part of Christian living.

    C. He wants us to be always available to Him.

III. JESUS PROMISES TO SUPPLY YOUR NEEDS.

    A. This truth is clearly taught in scripture. Mt 6:25-33; Ph 4:19; Ps 23:1

    B. This truth is demonstrated in this event. v4-9

CONCLUSION: Let's make a very literal application of this truth.