Living the Lectionary 19th Sunday After Pentecost

Season: Pentecost Week of October 23rd

About the Season: The season of Pentecost is a season of being given the gifts of God for the purpose of living out His mission on earth as His Body. Its color, green, implies the growth of the Church both personally and as a Body through the work of the Holy Spirit. About this Sunday: This Sunday we begin to talk about University Lutherans focus for this year. This academic year, we are going to focus ourselves on the idea of Transformation, especially as it is seen in Pauls letter to the Romans, Chapter 12. Over the next 4 weeks, we will see how God is transforming us in 3 areas of our lives: Personal Transformation How God is transforming us through engaging Him and His Word personally; Relational

Transformed by Love

Transformation - How God is transforming us through living in the community of His Body, the church; and Missional Transformation - How God is transforming the us through using us as His agents to proclaim the coming of His Kingdom. At the end of our time, you will be asked to commit to transformation in these 3 areas. Reflecting on the Readings: Levitcus 19:1-2, 15-18 Transformed to be Holy God speaks to Moses and tells him that His goal is that His people be transformed into a holy people. Are you holy? Psalm 1 Transformed in Righteousness This first Psalm sets the tone for the other 149 the notion that God is transforming His people in His righteousness. Are you being transformed? I Thessalonians 2:1-8 Transformed for God - Paul shows that the only motivation that will lead to transformation is love for God. Do you love God enough to experience His transforming power? Matthew 22:24-46 Transformed by His Love Jesus tells the Pharisees that the greatest commandment is two-fold and always has to do with love. How do you experience Gods love for you? Law and Gospel: Law: Transformation is difficult but not for the reasons that we think it is. We think that transformation requires too much work, but in reality, the thing that we shy away from in transformation isnt work, but change at our heart level. Gospel: We dont transform ourselves, but God transforms us through His renewing of our souls through His love. All we need to do to experience His transformation is to stop rejecting His renewing love.

Living the Lectionary Ideas: Learn: Memorize Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Do: Pray every day this week and ask God to show you ways that He is seeking to transform your life. Live: Transformation requires willingness. Look into your own life for ways that you could be more willing to answer Gods call of transformation.