Living For Jesus

Introduction: Scripture Reading- Colossians 1:10-14

The Call to Live for Christ: Romans 12:1 “...present your bodies a living sacrifice...”

Zao= quick, living, alive
2 Timothy 4:1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

🔹 Living for Jesus isn’t passive—it’s total surrender. 🔹 A “living sacrifice” means daily obedience, not a one-time event. 🔹Just like many things in our lives, it's something we have to grow into or mature into. We’re not just going to automatically know how to be a living sacrifice, because we are naturally selfish.

I. Motivation for Living for Jesus

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Romans 6:3-11

🔹 Jesus gave Himself for us—our response is [or should be] to live for Him. 🔹 True life is found when self dies and Christ reigns.

II. The Joyful Devotion of Service

Psalms 100:2 “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
Psalms 40:16 “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.”
Isaiah 25:1-9

🔹 Service is not drudgery, it’s a delight. 🔹 Our faith comes alive when it’s expressed in joyful service.

III. Christ’s Example of Obedience

Philippians 2:5-8 (5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Luke 9:22-26
Rev. 2:8-11

🔹 Jesus lived for the Father’s will—we live for Christ’s glory. 🔹 Obedience isn't optional for the believer; it's our identity.

Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

IV. Living for Jesus in Everyday Life

Colossians 3:16-17 (16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

🔹 Whether at work, with family, or alone—live for Jesus. 🔹 Worship is daily and practical.

Phil. 2:8-18

Conclusion: Invitation- A Life Worth Living

Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Obedience to the point of death. A true devotion and willingness to follow Christ, even to death.
Matthew 20:23 “And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”

🔹 Living for Jesus means dying to self. 🔹 The cross is heavy, but the joy is eternal.

This evening, we have reflected on a truth contained in the hymn Living for Jesus and aligns with gospel that was taught in the first century. Its message calls us to full surrender—a life not partially offered, but wholly given.

The Apostle Paul urges us in Romans 12:1 to present our bodies a living sacrifice. This is our spiritual worship. Christ lived and died for us—and now, He lives within us (Galatians 2:20). So what does that mean for us?

First, it means we serve with joy, not duty (Psalm 100:2). It means we humbly obey just as Christ did (Philippians 2:8). It means every part of our lives—from our conversations to our choices—is aligned with His will (Colossians 3:17).

Living for Jesus doesn’t happen just on Sunday. It happens in traffic, in homes, in pain, and in triumph. And if you’ve never chosen to truly live for Him, the invitation stands: Take up your cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

Let our lives be more than mere existence—let them reflect the Savior who gave everything for us. To live for Jesus is not just noble—it’s necessary if we desire to make it to heaven, and it’s filled with the deepest joy imaginable (it is a life worth living).”