This Is How I Fight My Battles!

Today’s word is about worship. I looked back at all my sermons since 2020 and strangely enough, not a single one was on the topic of worship. So I am rectifying that today!

The title of today’s message is “This is how I fight my battles”.

We will examine 4 passages, 3 of which are centered around Romans 12:1.

We will also look at:

the 96th Psalm

Isaiah chapter 12

Psalm 29:2.

Let’s begin with Romans 12:1

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

-ask others what does their bible say-

I’d like us to break that verse down, just a bit.

Beseech (some versions use “urge”)

Greek transliteration is: “to call upon someone to do something, to exhort, admonish”

I believe Paul probably does more “admonishing” in Romans, than any other of his writings.

“Living” sacrifice- So often in the OT we see sacrifice associated with death.

We see it early in scripture Genesis 3:21 “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”

Those tunics represented “sacrifice”. Death was required for that sacrifice.

Think about it: “You and I as saved Christians, are covered with the tunic of the Lamb!”

Paul specifically writes “living sacrifice”. Obviously, he is speaking metaphorically of:

service, obedience, and praise offered to God, with our mind, body and soul.

Holy- Greek transliteration in this context is:

perfect without blemish

Acceptable- Greek transliteration here is: “well pleasing”

Spiritual service (reasonable service NKJV)

Indicates that such a gift is the only rational reaction to all the good gifts God has showered down on us.

Spiritual worship

Proper worship

True worship

Spiritual service of worship

Rational, logical, intelligent act of worship

One version I read reads “it is the logical “temple worship” for you.” (CJB)

Even though these are Jewish converts, many are still worshipping in the Temple.

Acts 2:46–47 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Paul is saying it is natural for us to do this. The difference is that since Christ made this once for all sacrifice, we are now called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices in our worship of God.

Keep in mind that:

Paul had been preaching almost 20 years when he wrote the book of Romans.

He was on his 3rd mission trip.

His audience in the Roman church were mostly Jewish people, but a good number of Gentiles as well.

It was written around 56 A.D.

Chapters 1-11 are heavily focused on doctrine.

Chapters 12-16 teach us how to apply that doctrine, so when he “beseeches” us, he is saying in view of everything I’ve written in the first 11 chapters. This is what you should do.

Right off the bat, Paul addresses how we are to worship God.

He is saying if you are truly thankful for our salvation, we are to live our life as a daily expression of worship.

v1. I call upon you, admonish you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies through service, obedience and praise to God, with all our mind, body, soul and strength without blemish, well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable, spiritual, proper and true service.

Before we move to the next passage, I’ll ask that we consider these things:

What does a living sacrifice look like and mean to us?

If we are to discern God’s will for us, our minds must be conformed to be like His.

So, as this verse as our reference, let’s consider worship through the lens of 3 other passages, beginning with:

Psalm 96.

The book of Psalms is essentially a collection of writings of praise.

The 96th Psalm is considered the sixth song of praise.

Widely attributed to King David as the writer.

Psalm 96:1–2 “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”

Psalm 96:3–4 “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.”

Psalm 96:5–7 “For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength.”

Psalm 96:8–10 “Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.””