Romans 12:1
Introduction
Last week, as we explored Paul’s words and worship in Romans 11:30-36, we were reminded of God’s mercy amid our rebellion. We were reminded of how incredibly grateful we should be that the Cosmic Creator is also our friend, which should bring us to a place of joyful adoration. As we begin chapter 12 this week, we will explore that worship is both gratitude and adoration as we lift our voices in praise and forged in action. True worship is dedicating ourselves as living sacrifices to God’s service in response to His compassion and mercy.
True Surrender
• Paul urges believers to devote themselves entirely to God’s service in response to His mercy.
• We fully dedicate our lives to His service, like offering ourselves on an altar, though we are not being sacrificed but recruited (Ro. 14:7; 1 Co. 6:19-20; 2 Co. 5:15).
• He compares this offering of ourselves to the offerings presented at the Tabernacle and Temple.
• God will receive the surrendered lives of believers as a well-pleasing offering (Php. 4:8).
• It is in this decision that a heart of true worship is forged. It is where all other expressions of worship flow, and it is a deep attitude that transforms a person’s entire life into an act of worship.
• This type of surrender does not occur entirely in a single moment of decision, but it does begin with a decision.
• It begins when we repent and are born again, and then the process continues as we discover just how costly that first decision will be.
• One difficult choice after the next, we find that we have to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice repeatedly.
• We continuously place ourselves on His altar and commit ourselves to Him, living fully for Him out of gratitude and love, obeying Him even in challenging situations.
• Paul wasn’t just sharing his opinion about repeated surrender. He lived it out.
1. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ (Ro. 1:1)
2. Paul’s suffering (2 Co. 11:23-33)
3. Paul’s final reflection (2 Ti 4:6-8)
• Our full surrender will find its expression in a series of costly choices that lead us away from something we desire toward something selfless that God wants us to do. We choose a path that appears to lead downward in the wrong direction (The Selfless Way of Christ, Henri Nouwen).
True Worship
• True worship is not a religious activity or a prescribed ritual.
• At its root, it is the profound shift of a person’s entire life.
• Everything in that life is changed and becomes an expression of that person’s worship.
• True worship impacts our relationships, our work, our acts of service, and even the way we do daily tasks.
• Living Sacrifice: Our entire beings, including our physical bodies, are offered to God. This act of surrender involves everyday actions and choices, making our daily lives an ongoing act of worship.
• Holy and Pleasing to God: By committing to actions that align with God’s will, our lives reflect holiness, and we bring pleasure to God through our sincere devotion and obedience. This is an act of worship.
• Transformation of the Mind: As we surrender, our thoughts, values, and priorities are transformed to mirror Christ’s. This mental renewal impacts our decisions, relationships, and overall lifestyle. This is an act of worship.
• Impact on Relationships: True worship through full surrender means loving and serving others selflessly, showing Christ’s love in our interactions, and being a living testimony of God’s grace.
• Service and Work: Our work and acts of service become expressions of worship. Whether in our profession, volunteer efforts, or daily tasks, we perform with excellence and dedication as unto the Lord.
• Daily Tasks: Even mundane activities are done with a heart of gratitude and dedication to God, recognizing His presence in every aspect of our lives and offering each task as an act of service.
• Lifestyle of Worship: Ultimately, our full surrender to God’s will transforms our entire lifestyle. Every moment, decision, and action becomes an opportunity to worship God, demonstrating our profound love and reverence for Him.
Heart of Worship
• A profound shift in a person’s entire life actually starts with a profound change in a person’s heart.
• It starts with full surrender, and as we begin to understand what encompasses worship, it shapes us from the inside out. God is not about us looking pretty on the outside; He cares much more about the heart, and as we address the issues of the heart, then we begin to change on the outside. This is true transformation (2 Co. 5:17).
• When we have a heart of worship, things begin to look and feel different. Here are some things that change within us:
1. New Awareness: We know that God has rescued us from a horrible eternity, which cost Him greatly. The most reasonable response is to devote the rest of our lives to serving Him (Ro. 14:7; 1 Cor. 6:19;2 Co. 5:15).
2. New Purpose: We no longer live to please ourselves. I am now working to help others go to heaven. Our priorities shift from focusing on ourselves to pleasing God.
3. New Values: We understand that when we live daily according to His holy standards, we are worshipping Him. We seek to be morally pure, honest, patient, clean in speech, generous, kind, and full of love for others. We no longer let our culture decide what is right or wrong; instead, we turn to the Bible and seek to obey what it teaches.
4. New Calling: We believe God has a specific plan for our lives and will try to discover that plan and direct our energy accordingly (Php. 3:12).
New Foundation of Contentment: Our contentment is found in being near Him. Whether worshipping in a gathering or alone, we remove internal obstacles and press in until we become aware of His presence and can hear His voice.
Conclusion
Through transforming our hearts and aligning ourselves with God’s will, we embark on a journey of true worship that permeates every aspect of our lives. This transformation leads us to new awareness, purpose, values, calling, and a foundation of contentment rooted in His presence. Let us continue to surrender fully, embracing the profound shift that worship brings, and allow it to shape us into the image of Christ. In doing so, we honor God and reflect His love and grace to those around us. True worship is dedicating ourselves as living sacrifices to God’s service in response to His compassion and mercy.
Discussion Questions
- How does the concept of being a ‘living sacrifice’ challenge your understanding of worship? In what ways can you practically apply this idea in your daily life__?
- Paul compares our offering of ourselves to the offerings presented at the Tabernacle and Temple. How does this comparison deepen your understanding of worship and sacrifice__?
- The sermon mentions that true surrender ‘does not occur entirely in a single moment of decision.’ How has your journey of surrender to God been a continuous process in your life__?