Romans chapter 12, the verses we're gonna look at today is verses 14 through 18. I'm gonna read verses six through, actually the verses 14 through 16, I'm gonna read through six through 16. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith, or ministry, let us wait on our ministering, or he that teacheth on teaching, or he that exhorteth on exhortation, he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity, he that ruleth with diligence, he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate, be affectioned one to another with brotherly love and honor, preferring one another, not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, distributing to the necessity of saints given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you. Bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice. and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind, one toward another, mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceit. You may be seated. Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, as I hold forth the truth of your inspired word, help us to hide behind the cross that those who may see you today Lord, your word tells us to humble ourselves. May we humble ourselves in the sight of your majesty. We give you glory and praise. Amen and amen. The title of today's sermon today is One Truth, One Body. The importance of doctrinal unity. As we continue to go through Romans chapter 12, we are reminded that the Christian life is one of transformation and renewal. In verses six through 13, which we looked last week, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to live out our faith in practical ways, using the gifts God has given us to serve others, because God has, in the prior chapters, if you remember, has been teaching us doctrinal things, things for us to know. Now he leads us to Romans chapter 12, things, because you know these things, because God's mercy in all these things, because God is in control of all these things, now God is calling you to live. out your life sacrificially on the altar of God's will, are you? Are you a living sacrifice to God today on the altar of His will? Are you fully committed to God and His will, or are you still committed to your own will and Jesus Christ's cherry on top of your self-righteousness? The Apostle Paul exhorts us, to live at our faith, using the gifts God has given us to serve one another. We are to use our spiritual gifts, and each and every one of you has a spiritual gift, and you are to use that spiritual gift to serve one another, to benefit from each other, to edify one another, so that we all can be of the same mind, believing on the same truths, believing on the same judgment, and to be truly in one accord. In verse six, Paul writes, having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith. Here, he's emphasizing that our gifts are not something we possess inherently, but rather they are a result of God's gracious work in our lives. This understanding should humble us and motivate us to use our gifts for the benefit of others. This is why church is valuable. You're not a spiritual gift if you are not going to church. You're entirely, you can't even read the New Testament correctly if you think church isn't valuable to you. If you're not passionate for church and you're creating other avenues, you're missing out on the blessings of God and his will. In fact, you have a bad vision of his word for your life. How important is church for us today? How do you value church? This is something I've been passionate about for many years, something I've learned a long time ago. The purpose of the church. is that we all grow to know the word and to come in unity, to serve one another in spiritual gifts, how important it is to use, and each and every one of you has a spiritual gift, to serve one another. If you don't know your spiritual gift, I encourage you to know it, to seek it out, to ask the Lord to show you that you may know your spiritual gift and use it to perfect one another. You are a blessing to me, And as I have a spiritual gift, I try to be a blessing to you in the purpose of perfecting one another. That's what love looks like. We are a personal church. That's what God wants, and clearly I'm gonna show that today. Paul clearly is teaching for the church to be a personal church, to be relational with each other, to love one another, to correct one another, to rebuke one another, to encourage one another, to provoke one another. That's what love looks like. May we love one another with grace in our hearts, with genuine care for one another. May we use each and every spiritual gift within the body of Christ for each other. If you're going to church just to sit down and nothing else, then you're missing the point of what actually church is. You're part of the American Religious Institution church. That's not church. That's institutionalized church. But that's not church by biblical definition. May we work together, not one man lording over the flock of God where he's not overseeing any ministry, where it's more like the church is overseeing his ministry. Oh, may the Lord's word affect us in a way that we value church this morning and each other. May we love one another. Paul lists various gifts. such as prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, showing mercy. And he's not creating an exhaustive list here, but rather illustrating the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ. He's emphasizing that each of us have unique roles to play in the church and that we're all necessary for the proper functioning of the body. But Paul's not just concerned with our gifts. He's also concerned with our attitude and motivation. And in verse nine he writes, let love be without dissimulation, without hypocrisy. Abhor which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Here he's emphasizing that our service to others must be motivated by a genuine love for them. A genuine love for them. We must love one another, generally from the heart. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to have that attitude. This is how the world will know that you are of their own, of Christ, that you have love towards one another. This love is not a natural inclination. It is not a natural institution that is within us. It has to come because how can we love those who are hard to love? It is by the Spirit of God. That's how you know you're committed. God wants committed believers to one another, to love one another, and it takes spiritual love for that. It looks to not, the Bible says there's, love keeps no record of wrong. You look to love one another. Let me continue. Paul's emphasizing that our service of others must be built on a genuine, authentic love for the body of Christ, rather than self-interest. I don't go to church because someone hurt me. How many times have we heard that? I don't become a Christian because there's so many hypocrites in the church. I have family members who have said that. I don't go to church anymore because all the hypocrites and they are judgmental. I'm thinking, Where's your faith in God? Are you reading the word? Do you value the imperfect church that wants to, are you being part of the body to perfect one another? May we not be so critical of the church. Please understand, there are imperfect people there. May we love one another in such a way that we are dedicated, that we love, that comes not from a natural inclination, because the flesh says, you've done me wrong, I'm gonna leave the church, I'm done with the church. That's the attitude of the flesh. But in the spirit, you'll say, I'm committed to the body of Christ. I will still love you. I will still try to seek out reconciliation. That's the ministry we're about. We are ministers of reconciliation. May we love our brothers and sisters in Christ and not abhor them. So may our love be genuine rather than self-interest or desire for recognition. As we seek to live out our faith in practical ways, let's remember that our ultimate goal is not to earn God's favor or to achieve some sort of spiritual status. Rather, our goal is to glorify God and to enjoy his presence and all that he has bestowed upon his people forever. May we be a people of passionate about serving one another. Give us a zeal for each other. Motivated by a genuine, authentic love that God has given us for each other, rather than appealing to our flesh. May us be driven by a desire to honor God by keeping his word. If you love God, then you'll love your neighbor. So this is clear. We are called to go to church and value church in each other. Those who neglect gathering with the body of Christ and instead build their lives around their own desires are constructing their lives according to their own blueprint, not their own, not God's. While they may attempt to fill the void with online Bible studies, phone apps, and other spiritual substitutes, these efforts are no replacement for the tangible, communable experience of corporate worship and fellowship. True discipleship requires more than digital devotionals. It demands a commitment to the gathering with the people of God in obedience to his word. People don't even know what church is. They think they can have church online. You are not having church by definition. Read your Bible. We're called to correct that type of thinking. Let us not be deceived by superficial attractions. Let us not be swayed by flashy programs, trendy music, or even impressive outreach efforts. For there is something far more precious, far more valuable than we must prioritize above all else, so sound doctrine. So when you're seeking out a church, find a church that is closest to the Bible, not that has the greatest outreach, but has sound doctrine. What is the foundation upon which the church stands? It is not the unshakable rock of God's Word. Is it not the timeless truths of Scripture that guide us, that direct us, and that define us? And yet, dear church, there are countless churches today that have compromised on this very issue. They have sacrificed sound doctrine on the altar of pragmatism, of popularity, or perceived relevance to the world. But I say to you, dear church, that is a false reality they are living. Sound doctrine is not opposed to outreach. Rather, it is the very foundation upon which genuine outreach is built. What we share with others, what we believe and teach matters eternity. For it is only through the proclamation of sound doctrine that we can truly unite in our faith. How can you come to unity if you're believing in separate positions? How can you go to an Armenian church and be reformed? There's no unity there. And God has something for us to know this morning. Let me continue. So I ask you, dear seeker of a church, anyone in the world, if you're looking for a Bible-believing church, what is your non-negotiables? Is it a church with a trendy vibe or a church that stands unwavering on the truth of God's word? And to those of you who claim to hold to the sovereignty of God, yet attend a church that undermines the very doctrine I ask, how can this be? Are you not inconsistent in your affiliation? Let us be uncompromising in our pursuit of sound doctrine. Let us be bold in our declaration of the truth, for it is only through the faithful proclamation of God's word that we can truly honor Him and truly edify one another. Let's now go to verse 14. Bless them that persecute you. Bless and curse not. Oh dear saints, what a radical, counterintuitive, and profoundly Christian command we find here in a world where revenge is sweet and retaliation is normal. The Apostle Paul thunders forth a decree that shakes the very foundation of the fallen humanity. Bless them which persecute you. Can you fathom it, dear believers? Are we to bless those who seek to harm us? Are we to bestow kindness upon those who curse us? Are we to pray for the well-being of those who wish us ill? Yes. A thousand times yes. For this is the very essence of the Christian faith. This is the hallmark of the followers of Jesus Christ. These are the true marks of a Christian. I will confess you before men. I will unapologetically be a Christian. I will stand on the word of God and I will proclaim it. I will be a confessing believer of the Lord Jesus Christ to everyone. unapologetic, uncompromisingly. I will not adulterate it. I will not sugarcoat it. I will not be quiet. I'll be like a light on a hill. May we shine bright for the glory of God. May we be on fire for God this morning. May we encourage one another. Oh, do we need it. I need it, you need it, we all need it. We need to provoke one another in the spirit of Christ, to love one another, to challenge one another, to grow, to know each other, to be very personal with each other. God is not looking for you to become a member of a church, but still not be relational with the members. You gotta be. Why would you not want to be? You want to know the family who is your brothers and sisters in Christ, far greater than your earthly family, who is unsaved. May we love one another. We are to bestow kindness. We are to pray for those who harm us. We are not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, which demands an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that our minds not to think like this world. That we're able to prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God, and that will is to bless those who persecute us. This is the depth of divine wisdom in this command. This is the height of Christian maturity to which it calls us to bless those who persecute us. It should demonstrate the very character of God himself. It is to show forth the mercy, the compassion, the grace that flows from the throne of God. So let us not be overcome with evil, dear saints. Let us not be driven by the desire for revenge or retaliation, nor let us be overcome evil with good. Let us bless those who persecute us, that we may be sons and daughters of the Father, who which is in heaven. For this is the Christian way. For this is the Jesus way. There is blessings in persecution. What a powerful command we find her. In a world where persecution is rampant, where believers are mocked, ridiculed, even martyred for their faith, we are called to respond in a way that's utterly foreign to our natural instincts. We're called to bless those who persecute us. This isn't natural. This isn't a natural response for us. When someone hurts us, our natural instinct is to hurt them back. When someone curses us, our natural instinct is to curse them back. But as believers, we are called to something higher. We're called to a supernatural response that can only come from God. It's a spiritual institution. It is something that is morally in us. It's a spiritual institution. It's a command that requires the power of the Holy Spirit to obey when we bless those who persecute us. We're not just doing something nice, we are doing something that requires the supernatural power of God. We're not left without example. There are so many great examples, but the greatest example is our Lord Jesus Christ. The very Son of God was persecuted in ways we can hardly imagine. He was mocked, scorned, and crucified by those who hated him. And yet, what did he do? He blessed them. Luke 23, 34, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. He was still merciful on that cross. Can you fathom it, dear saints? Jesus hanging on the cross, surrounded by his enemies, and yet he's praying for their forgiveness. He's blessing those who are persecuting him. That's the power of blessing. When we choose to bless those who persecute us, we're not only obeying God's command, we're also unleashing a powerful force that can transform lives and circumstances. We're demonstrating the very character of God who maketh his son to rise on the evil and the good and sending rain on the just and the unjust. So may we choose to bless. those who persecute us, and let us follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed those who crucified him, and let us demonstrate the power of blessing in a world that is desperately needing it. There's a cost that many people don't count. They don't really want to serve the Lord. They say, well, the way you serve the Lord, I can't. They want to serve the Lord in convenient Christianity, something that doesn't make them uncomfortable. Our type of Christianity, it would be pressure on them or a sense of burden on them to really surrender their life to Christ. Oh, the weight of their own sin is on them. Their complacency, their laziness. 2 Timothy 3, 12, yea, that all that live godly in Christ, and it says some or a few, it said all that live godly in Christ, Jesus, shall suffer Persecution, dear saints, let us not be deceived. Living for Christ, following him with all your heart, and proclaiming his gospel to a lost world will not earn us the applause of men. It will bring us persecution and rejection. The world hates Christ and it will hate us. And if we are truly following him, the world is at enmity with God and it will be at enmity with us if we dare to stand for the truth. John 15, 18, if the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. Throughout history, the saints of God have suffered persecution. They have been mocked, ridiculed, beaten, imprisoned, and even killed for their faith. And yet they remained faithful, even to the point of death, Acts 5.41. And they departed from the presence of his counsel, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And if we are to truly live for Christ, we will be rejected by the world. We'll be seen as foolish. as ignorant, as bigoted, but we must not be swayed by the opinions of men. If you are swayed to the opinions of men, if you are a people pleaser, the Bible says, according to Galatians 1.10, that you are not a servant of Christ. I am not here to please you. I'm here to serve you with the truth. May we serve one another with the truth. Don't tickle us. People have itching ears to hear what they want to hear. What does that mean? The truth can be hard to hear. So the natural fleshly instinct is to run away from the truth, is to fight off the truth with their flesh. You can tell it's the flesh when it's their attitude, but everything else, the devil wants you away from sound doctrine. The devil wants to keep you away where you must be. All the devil's working hard. All the demonic is working hard. Don't be swayed. We must stand on the solid rock of Christ, even if it means we stand alone. Let me continue. Matthew 5.11 says, blessed are ye when men shall revile you, persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. For my sake. What happens when the man of God is holding forth the truth of God's word? You're gonna get a group of people, the world, to then revile you, mock you, and say all kinds of manner of evil against you. Expect it. Don't be shocked when it happens. It's coming. The more you serve the Lord, the more you live a godly life, the more that you uphold to spiritual convictions of sound doctrine, and you're unwavering in it, you will be reviled by all sides of the world, including false believers. There is a reward for being persecuted for the sake of Christ. There is a crown of righteousness waiting for us. It's a race, and it isn't an easy race. It's hard, it's difficult, but the way is narrow, and only a few be there that find it. It's a crown that will be given to us when we stand before the throne of God. Matthew 5, 10, blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. So dear friends, let us not be surprised when the world rejects us. Let us not be dismayed when we suffer persecution, for in these moments that we are most like Christ. And it is in these moments that we will receive the greatest reward. Romans 12, 15 now. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. See, this is a personal church. This is a church that is connected to one another. Do you understand? They care very emotionally for each other's wellbeing. I'm there for you. You are my family. When you weep, I weep. When you're in pain, I'm in pain. You care for one another deeply. May the Lord work in all of our hearts. to love this way, to be spiritually sensitive to this way. But what a powerful command we see here. Unique words. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. In a world where we've often attempted to isolate ourselves from others, to focus solely on our own lives and problem, God calls us to something greater. He calls us to enter into the lives of those around us, to share in their joys and sorrow. When you join a church, join a personal church, a caring church, a loving church that embraces you and wants a personal relationship with you. This verse reminds us that our presence in the lives of others is a powerful ministry. When we take the time to rejoice with those rejoicing, we're showing them that we care. Not hypocritically, not with like dissimulation type of care, but genuinely and authentic care. We are invested in their lives. And when we weep with those who are weeping, we're demonstrating that we're willing to enter into their pain, to share their burden, to carry their load. Empathy is a powerful tool, dear friends. When we empathize with others, we're able to connect with them on a deeper level, to understand their struggles and their triumphs. And when we rejoice and weep with others, we're showing them that we're willing to walk alongside them, to share in their experiences. This verse is also a call to community. Dear saints, it's a reminder that we're not alone in this life, that we're part of a larger body of believers, and when we rejoice and weep with others, we're building relationships, we're strengthening bonds, we're demonstrating the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs it. That's why the church is needed. That's why the church must be personal, invested towards each other. Verse 16. Be of the same mind, one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of lowish. They be not wise in your own eyes. So far, we understand this verse to mean there's a unity of the what? The mind of the New Testament church. God wants unity of the mind. Go to a church where this attitude, where this truth is being told. Don't go to a church where you know there's no unity of the mind and it's impossible to get there. Or they're trying to create unity with diversity of mind, of doctrines. That's a train wreck. That's like a first Corinthian church. Be of the same mind, one towards another. This is a call to unity, but not just any unity, a unity of the mind, a unity that is rooted in the truth of God's word. We live in a day where unity is touted as the highest virtue. Can't we all just get along? But dear friends, unity at the expense of truth is a false unity. It's a unity that is built on shifting sand rather than the solid rock of God's word. There's a real danger of false unity. We see it all around us, even the world wants it. We have the churches implementing it, conforming with the world. They want unity but against the truth. How many times do you see Christians defending sound doctrine and then you get others saying, don't talk about that, it's divisive. How weird are these people? Of course it's divisive. It's needed because I want to divide from those who are speaking lies. Let's just be about the gospel type of crowd. How ignorant are their understanding of God's word? How fleshly is their response? Churches and denominations compromising on the essentials of faith in order to achieve a superficial unity with those who do not share their convictions. But dear saints, this is a false unity. It's a unity that ignores the clear teachings of scripture and instead to seek to find common ground with those who are opposed to God's truths. But God calls us to unity of the mind. See it? That's what he wants. But dear friends, the Bible calls us to have a different kind of unity than this world. a unity of a mind, a unity that is rooted in the truth of God's word. We are to be of the same mind toward one another. We are to think the same thoughts, to believe the same truths, and to live according to the same principles. This is not a call to uniformity, but to unity. We can have different personalities, different gifts, and different callings, but we must be united in our commitment to the truth of God's Word. Doctrine of Unity is not an option, dear friends. It's essential. We must be united in our understanding of the Gospel, of the nature of God, and of the teachings of the Scripture. We must be united in our commitment to the authority of God's Word and to the importance of living according to its teaching. 1 Corinthians 1.10, Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak on the same things. Apostle Paul wanted the Corinthian church, because they were disorderly, not speaking on the same things, to speak on the same things, to believe on the same truths, to have one mind. Let me continue. By the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you speak on the same thing and that there be no division among you, but that you'd be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Do you not see the importance of finding a church that has this type of same mind, same judgment, sound doctrine? This needs to be esteemed. Above all else, Philippians 2.2, fulfill ye my joy that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being in one accord of one mind. Romans 15.6, that ye may be with one mind and one mouth, glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We see the one accord in Acts 2.46, and they continually daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Acts 4.24, and when they heard this, and they lifted up their voice with one accord and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them is. We see the same mind and judgment in 1 Corinthians 1.10. We see the same mind and judgment in Philippians 3.16. Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us mind the same things. You see, God wants no division of mind, of judgment within the church. 1 Corinthians 12, 25, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another. John 17, 21, that they all may be one as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee. They also may be one in us, and the world may believe that thou hast sent me. This is why the world needs to see a unified body of Christ. Believing on the same truths, believing in the same doctrines, believing on the sovereignty of God, The golden chain of salvation, original sin, the character of God, the nature of man, all these things the church needs to come and unify. And if the church is okay with, oh, we all have you believe your things and you believe that, but we all love one another, we believe in the essential that Jesus Christ died and we're good to go with that, that's not unity. Your church is greatly divided. Don't seek out that type of church. You will never grow there. You'll never be used there. You'll just sit there and done your religious deed, no different than a false religion Catholic, sitting there and listening to a sermon or whatever you want to call that. May we not compromise on the essentials of our faith. We must be united in the truth. The Bible is clear. We must speak on the same things, have the same mind, and walk by the same rule. There's no room for division, no room for schisms. We must be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment. May we stand uncompromisingly on the truth of God's word. The world is watching, dear friends. They're watching to see if we're truly united, if we're truly one in Christ, and if we're not, we are divided and fragmented. then we're failing to demonstrate the power of the gospel. But if we're united, we are speaking the same things, having the same mind, and walking by the same rule, then we'll be a powerful witness to the world. We'll be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. So may we strive for sameness and this true unity. Let's strive to be one accord, to have the same mind and judgment. Let's stand firm on the truth. of God's word to demonstrate to a world that is watching of our true unity in Christ. When we compromise on the essentials of our faith in order to achieve a superficial unity with those who do not share our doctrinal convictions, we risk everything. We risk losing the true gospel and its influence. We risk losing a passion for sound doctrine. Some so have apostatized, which I do believe it is the beginning of apostasy. God tells us to stand firm. The clarion call clearly to stand firm. Let us stand firm on the truth of God's word, let us stand firm on the essentials of our faith, and let us stand firm even if it means standing alone. It is better to stand alone with God than to stand with a crowd against him. It is better to be united with God in our commitment to the truth than to be united with those who oppose him. So let us be of the same mind, one toward another. Let us be committed and united to the truth of God's word, and let us stand firm even in the face of opposition and persecution. For dear saints, this is the unity that God desires, and this is the unity that will bring him glory. And in Romans 12, 16. The Apostle Paul issues a clarion call to humility, a virtue that is foundational to the Christian life. Having expounded the glorious doctrines of salvation in the preceding chapters, Paul now turns to the practical implication of those doctrines for the life of the Church, and as believers we are called to walk in humility, recognizing that our salvation is a gift of God's sovereign grace, and not as a result of our own merit or efforts. We are to condescend to those who are considered lowly. Not because we are superior to them, because we recognize that we were once all sinners, saved by the same sovereign grace of God. And dear saints, let us not be wise in our own conceit. Let us not think more highly than ourselves than we ought. But it is in the humility that we find true greatness. Not in our own strength, or accomplishments, but in the willingness to serve others to glorify God. As the great reformer John Calvin once said, humility is the beginning of true wisdom. Pride, what pride does, it produces a ignorance of self. Pride ignores your true identity. Pride ignores sound doctrine. Pride ignores so many things. Pride gives you a false identity of self. Humility gives you a right standing of self. So we lower ourselves with all those who are lowly because we are right there as well. We are not greater than anybody. And it's only because of God's sovereign grace we come together and we serve the Lord. and we love one another, and we come together to want to exalt sound doctrine and its inspired truths. Let us therefore strive to cultivate a humility in our own lives, that we may be vessels fit for the master's use, and that we may bring glory to his great name, and may God grant us the grace to walk in humility. that we may be a people who are characterized by love, compassion, and service to others. For in humility, we find true greatness. And in serving others, we find true joy. In closing, dear saints, as we conclude the message of Romans 12, verses 14 through 16, let the fire of God's word burn within us. Let us be a people who are consumed by the passion of Christ, who are driven by the love of God, and who are united in our commitment to the truth. And may we be bold in our witness, compassionate in our love towards believers, and humble in our service. May we be a people who bless those who persecute us, who rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. And let us rise up, dear church. And let us be a church that God has called us to be. Let us be a people of passion, of purpose, and purity. Let us be a people who bring glory to God in all that we do. May God ignite a fire within us that cannot be contained. And may we be a people who are ablaze with the love of God. And may we shine brightly for His glory. To God be the glory. Great things He has done. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Set our hearts ablaze for your will, O Father. Thank you, O God, for sending your begotten Son into the world, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was nailed on the cross for our sins, that we have eternal life. That we are now walking in newness of life, and I want to magnify your name, Lord. Your name is above every other name in this world. And you share your glory with no other. Lord, thank you so much. Lord, break our pride. Let the word of God convict us so sharply that it will drive us to our knees to transform our minds to be dedicated to your perfect will. Help us to be selfless, not selfish. Help us to give our entire life to your will. May we count the cost daily to offer ourselves to your will. May we die as the Apostle Paul died daily for your glory. In the name of Jesus, we all pray, amen and amen.