Lenny poses a reflective question about the distinguishing characteristics that separate believers from the world. Citing a poem by Amy Carmichael, he emphasizes the importance of scars and wounds in the Christian journey, paralleling them with the life of Jesus, who was a living sacrifice. Lenny focuses on Romans 12:1, urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, motivated by God's mercies. He highlights the necessity of holiness and the willingness to separate oneself for God’s purpose. Len shares personal anecdotes, illustrating the cost of discipleship through biblical examples, such as Matthew and Peter, who left everything to follow Christ. He stresses that true discipleship requires a willingness to forsake worldly attachments and embrace a deeper relationship with Jesus. Lenny concludes by encouraging believers to examine their lives, count the cost of following Christ, and fully commit to Him, assuring them of God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment found in serving Him.
Introduction and prayer of thanksgiving
Reflection on distinguishing characteristics of believers
Importance of scars and wounds in the Christian journey
Focus on Romans 12:1 and the call to be living sacrifices
Examples of biblical figures (Matthew and Peter) who forsook all for Christ
Cost of discipleship and the need for commitment
Encouragement to examine personal lives and follow Christ fully
Assurance of God's faithfulness in the journey of discipleship
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.