“Living for God Happens Daily in Our Lives” – Pastor Mensa Otabil

Introduction

At ICGC Christ Temple East, Teshie-Accra, Pastor Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), continued his series on “Living for God.”

In the second part of the series, titled “A Living Sacrifice,” Pastor Otabil delved into what it truly means to live a life surrendered to God.

He emphasized that living for God is not a once-off event or something reserved for moments of retreat, but rather a daily commitment, involving every aspect of our lives.

Living for God: A Daily Journey

Pastor Otabil began by highlighting a common desire among Christians to live for God. However, he acknowledged that many often struggle to fulfill this desire, stating, “Living for God is not just something we do when we go and hide in a mountain to wait on the Lord… living for God happens daily in our lives.” 

Whether at work, at school, or even in personal relationships, the call to live for God requires consistency in our everyday experiences.

According to Otabil, living for God starts with what we treasure in our hearts. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus, he emphasized, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

If one’s treasure is self-centered, then a self-serving life will follow. However, if God is the center of our treasure, our actions will naturally reflect a life lived for Him.

Three Requirements for Living for God

Pastor Otabil outlined three key requirements for those who desire to live for God: surrender, sacrifice, and service.

1. Surrender: The first and most important step is surrendering one’s will to God. Otabil explained that one of the greatest battles Christians face is the battle of wills—between what we want and what God desires for us. “God will not take over your will,” he stressed. “He gave us the freedom to make a choice… If we’re going to live for God, we have to learn to surrender our will to God.”

2. Sacrifice: Living for God also demands sacrifice, which is the giving up of personal pleasures and desires. Pastor Otabil reminded the congregation that sacrifice has been a central theme throughout the Bible, from the sacrifice made to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. “Christianity is about sacrifice… We cannot say, ‘I want to live for God’ and still want to enjoy life as it is.”

3. Service: Lastly, living for God requires service. Jesus modeled this when He washed the feet of His disciples, teaching that greatness in the Kingdom of God is rooted in serving others. Otabil stressed that every Christian is called to serve, whether in their community or in ministry. “In Christianity, everybody serves… If we’re going to live for God, we have to have a servant attitude.”

A Call to Present Ourselves as Living Sacrifices

Pastor Otabil read Romans 12:1, urging the congregation to present their bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” 

He explained that in the Old Testament, sacrifices involved dead animals, but in the New Testament, believers are called to offer themselves as “living sacrifices.”

This means allowing God to burn away fleshly desires, which may not be easy but is essential for true spiritual growth. “If you’re going to live for God, then you have to take those things that make life ‘sweet’ and put them on the altar,” he declared.

Conclusion

Pastor Otabil’s sermon on living for God provided a powerful reminder that following Christ requires more than just intention—it demands surrender, sacrifice, and service.

Living for God is a daily act of worship, requiring believers to offer their whole selves, including their desires and will, on the altar of God.

In doing so, Christians become true “living sacrifices,” aligning their lives with God’s perfect will.