‘Reaching Up’:  Worship

Romans 12:1-2

I.  The Motive for Worship

1)     Paul’s Challenge:  “I appeal to you… brothers”

1. A warm-hearted appeal to genuine worship
2. A command directed toward Christians

2)     “therefore…. by the mercies of God”

1. Paul’s ethical instruction in chapters 12-16 rests on the doctrinal foundation of chapters 1-11
   1. Doctrine without Ethics à hypocrisy/ antinomianism (lawlessness)
   2. Ethics without Doctrine à religious moralism/ legalism (self-effort)
2. Gratitude to God for His Mercy
   1. Rescue from depravity and sin (ch. 1-3)
   2. Justification by faith alone through Jesus Christ alone (ch. 3-5)
   3. Union with Christ in His death and resurrection (ch. 6)
   4. Freedom from the Law (ch. 6-7)
   5. Adoption through the Holy Spirit (ch. 8)
   6. Assurance of Faith/ Perseverance (ch. 8)
   7. God’s Faithfulness to the Elect (ch. 9-11)
3. “your reasonable service/ worship”
   1. “reasonable” = logikos
   2. Failure to worship is irrational/ illogical!

Application:

– A lack of holiness in our lives, and a lack of passion for God always results from a failure to contemplate God’s mercy in salvation.   Allow the Biblical doctrines of God’s grace in Jesus Christ to ignite and fuel your worship of God and your pursuit of holiness.

II.  The Manner of Worship

1)     The Use of Your Body

1. ‘Presented’ to God
   1. Verb translated ‘present’ carries a priestly overtone  (cf. 1 Peter 2:4-5)
   2. Every believer is a priest
2. A ‘Living Sacrifice’
   1. Paul is contrasting this ‘living sacrifice’ with animal sacrifices in the Old Covenant
   2. Only Jesus’ sacrifice can atone for our sin
   3. ‘Living sacrifice’ implies something that is continually offered to God (cf. Heb 13:15-16)
3. A ‘Holy’ and ‘Acceptable’ Sacrifice
   1. Christians have redeemed souls in unredeemed bodies (cf. Romans 8:23)
   2. God cares about how we use our bodies (cf. Rom 6:12-14; 1 Cor 6:12-20; 9:26-27)

2)     The Use of Your Mind

1. Conformation
   1. We are conformed to the sinful pattern of this world by setting our minds on the things of this world  (cf. Romans 8:5-6)
   2. A worldly mind is darkened and controlled by sin (cf. Ephesians 4:17-19)
2. Transformation
   1. We are transformed by ‘renewing our minds’ (ie. setting our minds on the things of God – cf. Col 3:1-4;  Phil 4:8;  2 Cor 3:18)
   2. Greek verb is in the passive form:
      1. Our responsibility:  renewal of the mind by saturating it with God’s truth
      2. God’s responsibility:  transformation of behaviour through the Holy Spirit
   3. Result of a transformed mind is the ability to discern/ approve God’s perfect will
      

Application:

– True worship goes far beyond our activities on Sunday morning, important as that is for our spiritual growth.   The worship God desires from His people concerns the way we use our body and our mind 24/7

– You will not worship God rightly if your mind is worldly.  Regenerate Heart à Renewed Mind à Transformed Behaviour à Consecrated Body à Reasonable Response to God’s Mercy and Grace!