A. HOW DO WE LIVE A LIFE OF WORSHIP, A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD?
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is --his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:1-2, NIV).
1. You must dedicate yourself to God (v. 1).
- You must be willing to do with your life whatever God asks you to do, even before you know what it is.
- Everyone is going to serve someone. “You’re going to have to serve somebody.” –Bob Dylan
a. Worship is voluntary dedication of your life to God.
- Why does God want your body? Your soul cannot do much without a body.
- The standard is not what you don’t have but what you’ve got, i.e., your body.
- What good is an invisible church? God wants a real body in a real church.
- To offer (present) is the word used to make reservations. No one else can use your “reservations.”
b. Worship is a practical dedication of your life to God.
“Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that He lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because He owns it” (I Cor. 6:19-20, LB).
c. Worship is a complete dedication of your life to God.
- God asks you to do for Him, what Christ has done for you.
- A living sacrifice can crawl off the altar.
- Worship is summarized in one word: sacrifice.
2. You must learn the principle of insulation (v. 2).
- “Do not let the world squeeze you into its mold” (v. 2, Phillips Translation).
- Don’t be conformed, means don’t make decisions based on what is acceptable to others, but make decisions based on what is acceptable to Christ.
-Don’t be an imitator of the world
-Don’t be isolated from the world
3. You must learn the principle of transformation (v. 2b).
- Being transformed is metamorphosis, i.e., the process by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
- The renewing of your mind. “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. (Psa. 16:8-9). “I always keep the Lord in front of me. When he is by my side, I cannot be moved. That is why my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. My body rests securely” (Psa. 16:8-9, GW).
B. THREE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD LIVE FOR GOD’S
PLEASURE
1. Living a life of worship is the good life.
- “I know the plans I have for you . . . plans for good and not evil, to give you a future of a hope” (Jer. 29:11, LB).
- Good means “highest quality.”
- A good life is blessed by God, i.e., added value.
2. Living a life of worship is pleasing.
- You can never be happier than when you perfectly worship God.
- Worship is not burdensome and negative, but enjoyable and pleasing.
3. Living a life of worship is perfect.
- Not sinless perfect.
- Perfect means whole, complete, i.e., nothing missing.
- Perfect does not mean without sin, but blameless.
Application: Have you prayed?
- “Lord, I completely dedicate my life to you.
- “Lord, I voluntary offer my body to you.
- “Lord, my first goal in life is to know You better and fulfill Your purpose.”
- “Lord, I want to fulfill Your purpose for which You put me here on earth to do.”
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
