Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

TITLE;

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE NOW

I KNOW THAT TITLE MAY CREATE SOME STRANGE FEELING BUT let me explain:

YOUR BEST LIFE IS YOUR LIFE LIVED FOR GOD IN THE CONSTANT SURRENDER OF YOUR LIFE IN THE ADORATION OF CHRIST

A DAILY REORIENTING OF THE LIFE

PRSENT OUR BODIES…SACRIFICES ‘TO WHAT’

At the heart of New Testament theology is the reality of the Kingdom of God.

~ It is a dynamic kingdom, not a static kingdom.

~ active, living, and moving. Jesus did not announce a kingdom that came and stood still;

BUT HE ANNOUNCED A KINGDOM THAT WOULD COME TO SET UP A RULING DYNAMIC IN THIS WORLD.

BUT IT IS NOT CHIEFLY, AT LEAST NOT YET, A PHYSICAL KINGDOM. IT IS A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM.

THIS KINGDOM IS VISIBLY DISPLAYED IN THE WORSHIP OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD: THE PEOPLE OF GOD BEING LIVING SACRIFICES

WORSHIP = WORTHSHIP:

DISPLAYING IN OUR LIVES THE WORTH OF GOD OVER AGAINST THE WORTH OF THIS LIFE, INLCUDING OUR OWN.

JESUS SAID: HE WHO WOULD KEEP HIS LIFE WOULD LOSE IT; THOSE WHO LOSE IT FOR MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL WILL FIND IT

WHY? BECAUSE WORSHIP OF CHRIST IS AT ODDS WITH PRESERVING LIFE

SO IWANT TO CALL US TO THAT WHICH I BELIEVE PAUL IS CALLING US TO; SEEING OUR BEST LIFE, THE GOOD LIFE, THE FULFILLED LIFE AS A LIFE OF WORSHIP

- Reorienting Our Hearts by Reframing Our

~Liturgy (Patters and Practices of our Life)

- Worship is Christ-Centered and Christ-Directed

I. Worship Is REMEMBRANCE

Worship is, before it is anything else, mental

Romans 12:1 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

REMEMBER WHAT? YOU HAVE BEEN MERCIED:

PAUL IS TEACHING US TO BELIEVE AND TO CONSTANTLY FILL OUR MINDS WITH THE NARRATIVE OF THE GOSPEL

Romans 5:6 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10 ESV

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

THINK ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL MERCIES

PAUL IS CALLING US TO THA WHIC OT SAINTS PRACTICED

Ps 103:1 Psalm 111;

Psalm 103:1 ESV

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Psalm 103:2 ESV

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

· Mental Psalm 111 1-2

Psalm 111:1–2 ESV

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

II. Worship is REFLECTION

Romans 12:1 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

1. Reflection Of Holiness (HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD)

Holiness: Christ-likeness which centers on Love

Love for God

Love for neighbor

sure it means a life conformed and growing in its separation from the remaining effects of sin, BUT WORSHIP IS DEFINED BY GOD AND DEMONSTRATED BY GOD

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD… AND NEIGHBOR

IS THIS NOT THE PICTURE OF HIS SACRIFICIAL WORSHIP OF GOD?

SO HOLINESS IS LIVING MY LIFE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE KINGDOM IS ADVANCE BY AND THROUGH MY LIVING AND VISIBLE SACRIFICE OF LOVE TO GOD AND LOVE FOR MY NEIGHBOR

IN PSALM 110 WHICH HIGHLIGHTS CHRIST AS KING AND PRIEST THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE TO THIS PRIEST KING IS MENTIONED IN PS 110 3 - WHICH SAYS

·

Psalm 110:3 ESV

Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.

OFFER THEMSELVES (THAT IS AN INTENTION DECISION I MAKE)

FREELY

2. Reflection of Justice

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Some versions says “prove)

o The Good will of God (Moral excellence)

o The acceptable will of God (What Is Pleasing to God)

o The perfect will of God (COmplete - the ULTIMATE STANDARD)

· Worship – our worship is to show the God who has dealt justly with His people (in Christ) AND will deal justly with those who continue to reject His love and His gospel

WE SEE THESE BOTH IN

o 2 Thess 1:7-8

2 Thessalonians 1:7–8 ESV

and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

· The will of God

III. WORSHIP IS RENEWAL

§ You and I must Rememeber

§ God alone can Renew

· Passive Verb