True Worship

Romans 8

Last WeekLast Week“For those who are according

to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit. . . Romans 8:1-8

Last WeekLast Week For the mind set on the flesh is

death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so...

Last WeekLast Week

A sin-focusA sin-focusA self-focusA self-focusA law-focusA law-focusA kosmos-A kosmos-focusfocus

Christ-focusChrist-focusOthers-focusOthers-focusGrace-focusGrace-focusBody of Body of ChristChrist

This WeekThis Week

A Christ-Centered Focus1. What God Has Done For Me!

• NOT What I have done for, or against God

2. Talk with Him!3. Worship Him!4. Read the Word!

True WorshipTrue Worship• Today’s churches: “The first

priority is the true worship of God.”– Ie., corporate worship service on

Sunday morning– Often liturgical

• Characterized by a set order of ritual, song, prayer, etc.

True WorshipTrue Worship• Today’s churches: “The first

priority is the worship of God.”• What does the New Testament

teach about worship?– Worship is indeed the first priority of

the church: 1 Corinthians 8:6– But the New Testament defines

worship in a very different way.“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” – Augustine, Confessions 1.1.1.

Words Used for Words Used for Worship:Worship:• Latreuo – to work or serve

• Leiteurgeo – to do public service• Proskuneo – to prostrate before

king or God.

Used for Old Testament temple “service” or worship.

Words Used for Words Used for Worship:Worship:• Latreuo – to work or serve

• Leiteurgeo – to do public service• Proskuneo – to prostrate before

king or God.

Used for Old Testament temple “service” or worship.

Now in the New Testament:• 1 Pet. 2:5,9 All Christians are priests.• Heb. 9:11 Jesus is our High Priest

(see also 1 Tim. 2:5)• Hebrews 8:13 The Old is obsolete:

• The Symbolic replaced by the Real.

1. Offer God your whole self:– Rom. 12:1 ëáôñåßá

2. Offer God your praise: – Heb. 13:15 also 1 Thess. 5:16-18;

Col. 3:15-17

Not only or even mainly at a “worship service”

New Testament New Testament “Offerings”“Offerings”

1. Offer God your whole self:– Rom. 12:1 ëáôñåßá

2. Offer God your praise: – Heb. 13:15 also 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Col.

3:15-17

3. Offer God your material resources:– Heb. 13:16; Phil. 4:18

4. Offer God your service to others: – Rom. 15:15,16 (ëåéôïõñãüò); Heb.

13:16

New Testament New Testament “Offerings”“Offerings”

1. Offer God your whole self:– Rom. 12:1 ëáôñåßá

2. Offer God your praise: – Heb. 13:15 also 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Col.

3:15-17

3. Offer God your material resources:– Heb. 13:16; Phil. 4:18

4. Offer God your service to others: – Rom. 15:15,16, Heb. 13:16

No clear example of a worship service (in our sense) in the New Testament

New Testament New Testament “Offerings”“Offerings”

Legalistic Worship•A technique for transcending

into an altered consciousness

•“Altered State” is interpreted as “spiritual”

•Focus is really on ME

Biblical Worship• Puts the issue of ME aside to consider

God.• Assumes our rightful place before

him.• Putting God on his throne relative to

my thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.

• Remembers what God has done and who he is.

One Final Question

Will we be guided by the Word of God, or by

Tradition?

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