In summing up Paul’s letters to the churches, Pastor Troy Murphy examined Romans 12: 1-5. This passage paints a picture of crawling on an altar and giving yourself up to God on a daily basis. 

We are to think of our bodies as not our own but God’s, and we are to give ourselves up for him. We are also instructed not to conform to the pattern of this world.

Here are some takeaways from Troy’s message on Sunday, July 24:

What we think and how we live reflects who we really are

Paul was concerned with how Christians physically live out their lives. How you think about God and live for him tells the story of who you really are. It’s going to tell you who is living on the throne of your life.

Our spiritual life is bound to others who are in the family of God

It isn’t biblical to separate yourself from the body of Christ. We enter into family, and family is messy and you might not like everybody in your family. Paul is urging the churches in these letters to consider that you are not your own and are part of something bigger than yourself. You are bound to others.

We are to hold on to what we know is truth from God within us

Paul says to hold on to the hope God has given us (Colossians 1: 21-23). In an uncertain world, hold on to the hope of truth of who God is and what he did for you.

What is your hope?

Paul’s letters to the churches urge communities to hold on to the hope God offers. Don’t get distracted by how you think or live, or by the pattern of the world or by false teachers. Be reminded that we gather because of the hope of Jesus, a hope that isn’t offered by the world.