Monthly Theme: Living the Kingdom Lifestyle

Main Texts: Romans 12:1–2; Colossians 3:17

WMU Stewardship Day: Stewardship of Time — Ephesians 5:15–16

Central Truth: Kingdom living is a life wholly surrendered to God, faithfully managing everything He has entrusted to us, and deliberately using our time, resources, and opportunities to fulfil His will and glorify Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION: OUR WHOLE LIFE BELONGS TO GOD

In Week 1, we established that Kingdom living is the prescribed way of life for God’s children. In Week 2, we learned that God’s Word reveals this way, while the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in it.

Today, we consider how this lifestyle must find expression in our worship, stewardship, and purpose. God created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7), and Christ redeemed us to live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15). Therefore, our lives must not be divided into what belongs to God and what belongs to us.

Everything we are and everything God has entrusted to us must come under His lordship.

Our teaching follows four connected responsibilities: WORSHIP → STEWARDSHIP → REDEEMING TIME → PURPOSEFUL LIVING.

I. A LIFE OF WORSHIP IS A LIFE WHOLLY SURRENDERED TO GOD- Romans 12:1–2; John 4:23–24

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” — Romans 12:1

Worship is more than singing, praying, or attending church services. It is reverential honour, submission, and recognition of God’s supreme worth. The one who truly worships God must humble himself before Him. We cannot genuinely exalt God while insisting that our own will remains supreme.

God does not need our worship to become God. He is eternally God and sufficient in Himself (Acts 17:24–25). The elders before His throne worship Him because He is worthy (Revelation 4:10–11). God does not become worthy because we worship Him; we worship Him because He is worthy.

· Worship begins with surrender

In Romans 12:1, Paul’s appeal follows his explanation of God’s saving mercies in chapters 1–11. Having shown what God has done for us, he calls us to respond with our lives. We surrender ourselves not to purchase God’s mercy, but because we have received His mercy.

Under the old covenant, animals were offered as sacrifices. Now believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices—our bodies, desires, abilities, decisions, and daily conduct yielded to God. A surrendered life is no longer governed by self-will but increasingly directed by God’s will.

Three truths follow:

Worship requires surrender: We give ourselves to God, not merely our songs and offerings.
Worship requires holiness: Our lives must reflect the God we worship (Hebrews 12:14).
Worship requires continual devotion: We remain living sacrifices beyond the church auditorium.

Hebrews 13:15–16 reminds us that praise, doing good, and sharing with others are sacrifices pleasing to God through Christ. The life we live after the service is part of the worship we offer during the service.

· Worship must be sustained through transformation

Romans 12:2 identifies two essential responsibilities:

Refuse conformity to the world: We must not allow worldly standards, sinful desires, and popular opinions to determine our conduct. This reflects Psalm 1:1.
Embrace the renewing of the mind: Transformation must reach our thoughts, convictions, and decisions. God’s Word renews our understanding as we yield to the Holy Spirit.

We cannot continually think like the world and expect to live according to God’s will.

Kingdom Truth: Genuine worship is not merely what we offer to God during a service; it is the life we continually surrender to Him.

II. A LIFE OF WORSHIP IS ALSO A LIFE OF FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP- 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:10

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2

A steward is someone entrusted with the management of what belongs to another. A faithful steward understands the owner’s interests and expectations. Likewise, God is the Owner; we are His stewards. Everything we have must be managed responsibly for His glory.

What has God entrusted to us?

Our bodies and health: To care for and use in honourable service.
Our time and opportunities: To invest wisely in what matters before God.
Our talents and spiritual gifts: To develop and use in serving others.
Our money and material resources: To manage honestly, wisely, and generously.
Our relationships and responsibilities: To demonstrate love, integrity, and faithfulness.
Our professions and positions: To represent Christ through diligence, fairness, and godly conduct.

First Peter 4:10 teaches that believers should use their gifts to serve one another as good stewards of God’s grace. Whatever God has placed in our hands carries a responsibility before Him.

Stewardship requires accountability

We must continually ask:

What has God entrusted to me?
How am I managing what He has entrusted to me?
Does my stewardship bring glory to His name?

Whether at home, in business, at school, in the workplace, or in church, we remain representatives of Jesus Christ. We must never live as though Jesus is Lord only within the church auditorium.

Kingdom Truth: Faithful stewardship is the practical expression of a life that recognises God as Owner and Christ as Lord.

III. A FAITHFUL STEWARD MUST REDEEM TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES- Ephesians 5:15–17

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15–16

As we observe the WMU Stewardship Day, we give particular attention to the stewardship of time. Time is precious and limited, and opportunities do not always remain available.

To walk circumspectly means to live carefully and wisely. To redeem the time means to make the most of opportunities. Paul is not merely encouraging productivity; he calls believers to wise living amid evil influences.

Principles for faithful stewardship of time

Recognise the value of time: Every day is an opportunity to live faithfully before God (Psalm 90:12).
Prioritise God’s will: Not everything demanding our attention deserves our highest priority (Ephesians 5:17).
Avoid unnecessary delay: When God’s will is clear, respond faithfully rather than continually postponing obedience.
Recognise opportunities: Use available moments for service, encouragement, witness, reconciliation, and godly responsibilities.
Balance responsibilities wisely: Order work, family, rest, worship, and service according to God’s wisdom.

Abraham rose early to obey God’s instruction (Genesis 22:3). The men of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32). In their respective contexts, these passages remind us that understanding what should be done must lead to appropriate action.

We must not confuse being busy with being fruitful. Good stewardship of time is not merely doing more things; it is giving proper attention to the things that matter according to God’s will.

A delayed opportunity may become a lost opportunity. Yet wisdom also requires prayer, planning, patience, and appropriate timing. Our goal is not hurried living, but purposeful living.

Kingdom Truth: Time becomes fruitful stewardship when our opportunities are governed by God’s wisdom and directed toward His purpose.

IV. A LIFE OF PURPOSE IS A LIFE THAT GLORIFIES CHRIST IN EVERYTHING- Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 2:10

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” — Colossians 3:17

The expression “whatsoever ye do” is comprehensive. Nothing about our lives is outside Christ’s authority.

Our purpose is not limited to our profession, church office, or personal ambitions. It involves living faithfully for Christ wherever He has placed us.

To act in Jesus’ name means to conduct ourselves consistently with His character, authority, and will. If an action cannot be undertaken faithfully as a representative of Jesus Christ, it should not become part of our lifestyle.

Three principles of purposeful Kingdom living

Live for God’s glory: Let His will, not personal ambition, govern your life.
Use what God has entrusted to you: Let your gifts, profession, influence, and opportunities become instruments of service.
Remain faithful in your assignment: Fulfilment is measured by obedience, not merely wealth, recognition, or position.

Ephesians 2:10 teaches that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are not saved by good works, but God’s grace calls us into a life that expresses itself through good works.

A parent can fulfil God’s purpose through faithful nurture. A professional can honour Christ through integrity. A young person can glorify God through diligence and purity. A church worker can serve faithfully without public recognition.

Not everyone has the same assignment, but every believer is called to live for God’s glory. The greater question is not merely, “What do I want to achieve?” but “How can what God has entrusted to me be used to accomplish His will?”

Kingdom Truth: The greatest fulfilment of our lives is not accomplishing everything we personally desire, but faithfully accomplishing what God calls us to do.

CONCLUSION: LET THE WHOLE LIFE BECOME WORSHIP

Kingdom living is a call to give our whole lives to God. Worship demands surrender. Stewardship demands faithfulness. Time demands wisdom. Purpose demands obedience.

Let us examine ourselves: Am I wholly surrendered to God? Am I faithful with what He has given me? Am I wisely using my time? Does my daily conduct honour Christ?

LIVING A LIFE OF WORSHIP, STEWARDSHIP AND PURPOSE