Purpose One - Worship

You have just heard that the life lived for God's pleasure is the good life. Why is that such a radical statement in light of our culture? What is "our culture"?

A lot of the time, society doesn't equate "pleasure" with Christians and Christianity.

When you hear the word "worship" what is the first thing that comes to mind? Have someone read aloud Romans 12:1. How does this verse define worship?

First things: 1) falling down on hands and knees, 2) Sunday morning church in the sanctuary.

Romans 12:1: 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.

Written by Paul as an introduction of himself to the Romans, a sample of his message before he arrived in Rome. These Romans are Jews living in Italy to which Paul is trying to share his faith with.

Worship: When sacrificing an animal according to God's law, the priest would kill, cut it to pieces, and place it on the alter. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament, God make it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important.

God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices -- daily laying aside our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.

Defined: Worship is offering your body as a living sacrifice to the Lord God.

The Bible says God created you so He could love you, enjoy you, and adopt you into His family. Stop and ponder that statement for a moment. How does that make you feel and is it consistent with your view of God?

Feel: It makes me feel good. For those who grew up in a close, loving family you know the feeling of connectedness and support that family gives. For those that did not, the Lord offers this as an opportunity to be a part of a lasting, loving family relationship.

View: Sometimes we picture God as this sole being, looking down from above judging us. The reality is that God is like a loving father, surrounded by his family -- interested in your day, wanting to see you blossom in his presence.

According to Matthew 22:37, what is God's greatest priority for your life? How does this compare to what you see in your own life?

The religious leaders of Jerusalem are questioning Jesus in the Temple. They're asking, of all the commandments, which is the most important?

Matthew 22:37: Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Priority: Love the Lord! If you do this and love your neighbor as yourself, the other commandments will be fulfilled.

In my life: family, friends, work, and God!

Review Romans 12:1-2. What do you think it means to offer your body as a living sacrifice? What would our lives look like if we truly lived this way?

Romans 12:1-2: 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.

Means: God has great plans for us, his sons and daughters. He wants us to be transformed and to live, honor and obey His word.

Look like: It means we stand apart from the crowd. You hold yourself to a higher standard, and you don?t ?conform? to the selfish, tempting, and often corrupt ways of the world.

Your life is "transformed" and your mind is "renewed." This doesn't mean avoiding the world's temptations by avoiding the world itself. It means rising above the temptation; looking it in the eye and defeating it.

You can only do this through the Holy Spirit.

From the end of Romans 12:2, what are the benefits of offering our body as a living sacrifice and following the direction Paul has given us in verse 1 and 2?

End of Romans 12:2: Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

You will have the wisdom to see the difference between good and evil. You will see the tests for what they are.

How do you understand living the life described by Paul to be a demonstration of worship for God?

Following His lead, acting out his word is the ultimate form of worship.

Read Psalm 16:8-9. What are some practical ways this week that you can always keep the Lord in front of you?

Psalm 16:8-9: I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

From David's psalm about the joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God.

Ways: Instead of making our own plans and then asking God to bless them, we can start with Him and His will, knowing that then his blessings will follow.

We can look for security in his will. We will not be able to avoid the pain trouble and failure in life, but in him we can find confidence in those and all circumstances. God will keep us from being moved off of his chosen path.

We can also continue the search for joy. God's presence in our lives and decisions gives us an inner joy that transcends pain and sorrow. What this allows you to do, through a life based on God, is to rise above the circumstances that we all find ourselves facing.