Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “To Be Christ-like” – Sunday, 15 June 2014 - Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “To Be Christ-like” – Sunday, 15 June 2014 - Scripture: Luke 6:27 “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
36 “Therefore be merciful,
    even as your Father is also merciful.
“To Be Christ-Like” by Bill Manning
Jesus calls His followers to a life that is governed and expressed in love. It is the life that was lived and exemplified by Christ himself. The key to this radical way of living is given in the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
We say we believe the gospel message as Christ taught it. But this is the gospel truth:

• Those who live according to Christ’s example and do what is right find that it is costly business.
• Those who pray “Your Kingdom come” find themselves at odds with the world.
• Those who commit to do God’s will always find themselves kneeling next to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, “‘Not my will, but yours be done’” (Luke 22:42).
• Those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus find that they still lead to a cross.

We say we believe the good news that Jesus taught. We can preach it from the housetops. We can publish it around the world. But we will never be satisfied until we practice what we preach.

Hymn for Today:

“I Want To Be Like Jesus” by Thomas O. Chisholm
1. I have one deep, supreme desire -
That I may be like Jesus.
To this I fervently aspire -
That I may be like Jesus.
I want my heart His throne to be,
So that a watching world may see
His likeness shining forth in me.
I want to be like Jesus.
2. He spent His life in doing good;
I want to be like Jesus.
In lowly paths of service trod;
I want to be like Jesus.
He sympathized with hearts distressed,
He spoke the words that cheered and blessed,
He welcomed sinners to His breast,
I want to be like Jesus.
3. A holy, harmless life He led;
I want to be like Jesus.
The Father’s will - His drink and bread;
I want to be like Jesus.
And when at last He comes to die,
“Forgive them, Father,” hear Him cry
For those who taunt and crucify.
I want to be like Jesus.
4. Oh, perfect life of Christ, my Lord!
I want to be like Jesus.
My recompense and my reward -
That I may be like Jesus.
His Spirit fill my hung’ring soul,
His power all my life control.
My deepest prayer, my highest goal -
That I may be like Jesus.
Thought for Today:
“Blessed are the merciful,
    for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo!
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Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
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