Colossians 1:16 (MSG) For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Revelation 4:11 (NLT) You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.
Ephesians 1:4-5 (GNT) Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him. Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children this was his pleasure and purpose. Psalm 147:11 (GNT) God takes pleasure in those who honor him, in those who trust in his constant love.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.
1. You must yourself to God
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 6:12-13 (NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. Worship is giving your whole self to God (a.k.a. sacrifice).
Sacrifice was the act of killing an animal in a religious ceremony as an offering to please God. Hosea 6:6 (TLB) I don t want your sacrifices I want your love; I don t want your offerings I want you to know me.
A sacrifice is a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause.
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV) 1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV) CONT. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV) CONT. 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV) CONT. Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV) CONT. 8 When he said above, You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, Behold, I have come to do your will. He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV) CONT. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. Worship is giving your whole self to God (a.k.a. sacrifice).
Worship is a lifestyle. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (TLB) Haven t you learned yet that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your 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.
Colossians 3:23 (GNT) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.
Worship is voluntary. Revelation 3:15-16 (NASB) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
2. You must learn the principle of (vs. 2).
2. You must learn the principle of TRANSFORMATION (vs. 2). Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform 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.
2. You must learn the principle of TRANSFORMATION (vs. 2). Conformity: Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards. Transformation: A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.
2. You must learn the principle of TRANSFORMATION (vs. 2). Psalm 16:8-9 (GWT) 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.
2. You must learn the principle of TRANSFORMATION (vs. 2). Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform 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.
Three Reasons We Should Live For God s Pleasure: 1. Living a life of worship is the good life. Psalm 16:11 (NIV) You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Three Reasons We Should Live For God s Pleasure: 2. Living a life of worship is pleasing. Psalm 92:4-5 (NIV) For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!
Three Reasons We Should Live For God s Pleasure: 3. Living a life of worship is perfect/complete. 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NCV) My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. But be happy that you are sharing in Christ s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory. When people insult you because you follow Christ, you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you.