Date: June 8, 2025

Series Title: “God Wants to Use You”

1. SERMON INTRODUCTION

   Pastor Danny Wolford began by reading Romans 6:13 aloud, framing the central choice every believer faces: offer ourselves to sin or offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. He shared a personal confession about wrestling with what true sacrifice looks like amid busy schedules, immediately establishing transparency and trust. From this opening he emphasized three core observations: God has a unique purpose for each of us; we’re simply tools in His hands; and our availability matters infinitely more than our ability.

2. DEFINING SACRIFICE AND CULTURAL CONTRAST

   Danny drew a sharp contrast between modern celebrity culture—where fame and applause are the ultimate goals—and the mindset of true heroes, who willingly lay down their lives for others. He illustrated this by comparing tabloid personalities with first responders, prompting listeners to ask which legacy truly endures. Quoting C. S. Lewis, he drove home that Christianity demands wholehearted commitment, not a half-hearted attempt.

3. THREE REASONS TO LIVE SACRIFICIALLY

   a. Because God Did It for Us

   He unpacked the significance of Christ’s one-time, all-sufficient sacrifice on the cross, showing that our call to sacrificial living flows directly from His perfect offering.

   b. Because We’re Made for His Purpose

   Referencing Ephesians 2:10 , Danny reminded everyone that we are God’s workmanship, created for specific good works. He used the analogy of trying to use a kitchen knife as a screwdriver to illustrate that tools function best when used as intended—and so do people.

   c. Because God Rewards Sacrifice Now

   He reassured the congregation that God honors every act of sacrificial love and promises real, present-age blessings—not vague prosperity slogans, but tangible provisions when we step out in faith.

4. PRACTICAL STEPS TO CULTIVATE SACRIFICE

5. Worship Continuously

   Adopt simple rhythms—morning praise playlists, brief prayers between meetings—to keep your heart tuned to God rather than to self.

6. Serve Others Through Ministry

   Live out 1 John 3:16 by seeking everyday opportunities—meals shared, hands extended, time volunteered—as tangible acts of worship.

7. Give Sacrificially

   Challenge yourself to give offerings that cost you something meaningful, following David’s refusal to offer a free sacrifice.

8. Share the Gospel Boldly

   Embrace the greatest sacrifice of all by offering others the hope of Christ, illustrated by a late-night coffee-table conversation that led a neighbor to faith.

9. CALL TO COMMITMENT AND CLOSING INVITATION

   Danny invited any who had never personally accepted Christ’s sacrifice to step forward and commit their lives. For longtime attendees, he issued a call to renewed devotion and sacrificial service, emphasizing that a united, self-giving church powerfully testifies to the watching world.

10. SUMMARY OF KEY SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

    • Romans 6:13 – Offer yourselves to God as instruments of righteousness

    • Ephesians 2:10 – We are God’s workmanship, created for good works

    • Hebrews 9:26 – Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice

    • Hebrews 6:10 – God remembers our sacrificial love

    • 2 Samuel 24:24 – True sacrifice costs us something

    • Mark 10:29 –30 – Present-age blessings for sacrificial living

This sermon wove raw honesty, clear biblical exposition, vivid cultural comparisons, and four actionable disciplines—worship, service, giving, and bold witness—into a cohesive call to live fully surrendered to God’s purposes.