In this final sermon of the "Therefore" series, Karl Ihfe ties together the themes explored in previous weeks. He reminds the congregation of Jesus' teaching on priorities in Matthew 6, Paul's message of freedom through the Holy Spirit in Romans, and the call to stand firm in faith due to Christ's resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. The sermon then focuses on Ephesians 5, where Paul urges believers to "follow God's example" and "walk in the way of love" (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Ihfe emphasizes that our identity as God's dearly loved children should motivate us to imitate Christ's sacrificial love. He explains Paul's practical advice for living as "children of light," avoiding sexual immorality, impurity, and foolish talk. The pastor stresses that this way of living isn't about earning salvation but about aligning our lives with God's design. He concludes by challenging the congregation to apply these principles in their relationships, speech, and daily interactions, encouraging them to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.

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Karl Ihfe begins by sharing about his upcoming eight-week sabbatical, explaining its purpose for rest, renewal, and spiritual growth. He then transitions to the main message, focusing on 1 Corinthians 15. Ihfe explores Paul's argument for the reality of Christ's resurrection, emphasizing its crucial role in the Christian faith. He quotes extensively from The Message translation to illustrate Paul's passionate defense of the resurrection.

Ihfe highlights Paul's "therefore" statement in 1 Corinthians 15:58, which urges believers to stand firm and fully commit to God's work because of the resurrection's truth. He explains that if Christ is truly risen, it changes everything about how we view life, death, and our purpose. Ihfe encourages the congregation to persist in doing good, even when they can't see the immediate impact, because God is weaving their efforts into His greater plan.

Recorded Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into Romans 12, contextualizing it within Paul's discussion of God's mercy in previous chapters. He emphasizes Paul's appeal to believers to offer themselves as "living sacrifices" in view of God's mercy (Romans 12:1-2). Ihfe explains that this concept, though seemingly contradictory, involves dying to our selfish desires so Christ can live through us.

Ihfe stresses that true worship extends beyond singing to encompass our entire lives. He highlights the importance of being transformed by renewing our minds, rather than conforming to the world. This transformation, Ihfe argues, enables us to discern God's will and live it out. He also touches on Paul's teaching about the body of Christ, emphasizing that each believer has a unique role to play in the church community (Romans 12:3-5).

Speaker: Karl Ihfe