Stop Serving God Leftovers

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This week we continue our sermon series, “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. This series invites us to a deep self-examination of who we are and whose we are. May we give God all the glory and be fully surrendered to God as we receive His Crazy Love and give Him our Crazy Love in return.

1. Francis Chan asked these questions: Are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made? How you answer these questions will determine the authenticity of your relationship with God. Do you have certain areas to work on? Areas to pray about?

2. In his study guide, Chan invites us to read Luke 8: 4-15. After reading this passage, what type of soil are you? Have you been different types of soil at different times in your life? What do you need to do to make sure you are (and stay) good soil?

3. Read Malachi 1: 6-14. In this passage we get insight on how the priests were offering their leftovers to God through the sacrifice of blemished and scarred animals. This did not make God happy. In what ways are you honoring God with your “sacrifices” of Time, Talent and Treasure? In what areas are you only giving God your leftovers? How can you better honor God going forward?

4. John Wesley defined Christian perfection not in terms of lack of sin, but rather in terms of Love. He described Christian perfection as “a heart habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor” and as “having the mind of Christ and walking as He walked.” What do you think of this? How are you doing at this? Is your life honoring God?

5. Read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13. Substitute your name for the word “love” throughout this passage. How do you feel by personalizing this passage to reflect who you are as a Christian? What does this reveal to you regarding your own journey toward Christian perfection? What areas do you still need to work on, with the Holy Spirit’s help?

Prayer for the Week:
Merciful and loving God, I come before you this day with a humble heart, recognizing my desire and need for you in all areas of my life. Lord, help me to be fully surrendered to you; loving you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength, and help me to love those around me as well. Forgive me when my lukewarm tendencies slip in and I offer you only my leftovers. Create in me a pure heart, Lord; a heart habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor. And give me the mind of Christ and help me to walk as He walked, so that I give you all honor and glory. I pray all of this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.