Whole-Life Worship
Sanctification & Spiritual Disciplines • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Sanctification & Spiritual Disciplines
Session 9: Whole Life Worship: The Christian Life is Lived for the Glory of God
I. Introduction: The Christian Life is Lived for the Glory of God
I. Introduction: The Christian Life is Lived for the Glory of God
The 1ST QUESTION within the WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM is: “What is the chief end of man?”
The answer that is given is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”
(Q) How and why is God glorified through our lives?
**both ways & reasons
A. Ways:
through our gifts,
through our endurance through suffering,
through our set-apart lives lived for Him day by day,
through our good works
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)
TURN & READ14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
i. Our lives should showcase the God whom we claim to serve,
GOD’S AIM = to GLORIFY HIMSELF THROUGH US...
NOT THAT WE’D RECEIVE the GLORY THAT is DUE to HIM...
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B. Reasons:
We don’t bring much to the table
D. Treasures in Jars of Clay:
2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
ORIGINAL CONTEXT: APOSTLES’ WEAKNESS & TRIALS...
WE OFTEN FORGET their WEAKNESS & SUFFERING… THEY WEREN’T HEROES/CELEBRITIES in THEIR DAY LIKE WE’D IMAGINE...
JARS of CLAY—CONTRASTED W/ BRONZE = EXPENDABLE, LESS VALUABLE....CLAY = EASILY ACCESSED (Keener p. 505).
PAUL POINTS OUT:
TREASURE (LIGHT of THE KNOWLEDGE of the GLORY of GOD in the FACE of JESUS CHRIST; the GOSPEL)
IS CONTAINED BY HUMAN WEAKNESS
GOD DIDN’T REQUIRE PERFECT VESSELS
HE CHOSE FRAIL HUMAN BEINGS
I’M SURE WE’VE ALL FELT LATELY at SOME POINT THAT WE ARE “JARS of CLAY” ACQUAINTED W/ WEAKNESS.
PHYSICAL WEAKNESS/INABILITY
OTHER AILMENTS
STRUGGLES W/ TEMPTATION & SIN
HUMAN BEINGS ARE AMAZING CREATIONS of GOD…BUT WE’RE STILL IMPERFECT… YET GOD ALLOWS US to BE a PART...
ALL AMAZON PACKAGES (PRETTY MUCH) COME in STANDARD CARDBOARD BOX
CONTAINER ISN’T WHAT MATTERS MOST…BUT WHAT’S INSIDE…& WE GET to CONTAIN the TREASURE of GOD’S GOSPEL!
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Human weakness proclaims God’s greatness.
A. HIS WILLINGNESS to USE IMPERFECT VESSELS...
B. For two, it SHOWS OUR DEPENDENCE… APART FROM HIM WE CAN’T DO IT!
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A. Paul in 1 Corinthians:
GOD WORKS THROUGH UNLIKELY MEANS
“FOOLISHNESS of PREACHING”
STUMBLING BLOCK to JEWS
FOOLISHNESS to GENTILES
THE PEOPLE of GOD’S CHOOSING FURTHER THIS CLAIM:
TURN & READ 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
GOD CHOSE UNLIKELY PEOPLE FOR HIS GLORY & PRAISE
IT’S BECAUSE of HIM WE’RE in CHRIST— WHO is OUR WISDOM, RIGHTEOUSNESS, SANCTIFICATION, & REDEMPTION...
CONCLUSION??
HUMAN BEINGS HAVE NO REASON to BOAST.
GOD ISN’T PRIVILEGED to USE US...
WE’RE PRIVILEGED to BE USED...
Casting Crowns: “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, all about somebody, who saved my soul.”
SO the BOASTING ONE…MUST BOAST in GOD ALONE.
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1. In Phil. 3—PAUL OUTLINES HIS CREDENTIALS & THROWS THEM AWAY! COUNTS ALL as LOST...
WHY??
“because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8b).
CREDENTIALS
RIGHTEOUSNESS UNDER the LAW
ANYTHING HE BROUGHT to the TABLE...
CASTAWAY,, ON BEHALF of the RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH COMES BY FAITH in CHRIST...
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MOST IMPORTANT THING: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE = LIVED for the GLORY of GOD.
OUR GOOD WORKS & EVEN GIFTS (SEE 1PET) ARE FOR GOD’S GLORY
GOD ENTRUSTS HIS TREASURE to HUMAN WEAKNESS,, FOR HIS GLORY
GOD USES UNLIKELY PEOPLE,, FOR HIS GLORY
TONIGHT’S TOPIC: “WHOLE-LIFE WORSHIP” LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY
(T) HOW?… LOOKING @ VERSES THAT SUMMARIZE CHRISTIAN LIFE...
WHAT GOD DESIRES OF HIS PEOPLE...
WHAT a SET-APART, HOLY LIFE LOOKS LIKE
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II. Worship as a Way of Life
II. Worship as a Way of Life
F. Helpful transitional verse: After pointing out that JESUS SUFFERED OUTSIDE the CITY
, the author of Hebrews encourages us to BEAR HIS REPROACH...
&& FOLLOWS W/ SOME PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS
TURN & READ Hebrews 13:13-16 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US...
WE MAY HAVE to BEAR REPROACH FOR HIM
WE LOOK FORWARD to COMING CITY
SO THEN:
OFFER SACRIFICE of PRAISE to GOD—FRUIT of OUR LIPS
DO GOOD & SHARE W/ OTHERS…
THESE ALSO ARE SACRIFICES!
BEYOND PRAYER, PRAISE, WORSHIP, SONG.....OUR DAILY LIVING FOR CHRIST = A SACRIFICE PLEASING to GOD.
TALKED ABOUT WORSHIP a FEW WEEKS AGO in CONTEXT of CHURCH/SONG, ETC...
BUT WORSHIP ISN’T LIMITED to 4 WALLS of CHURCH...
TURN & READ 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. 2 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.
IN LIGHT of GOD’S MERCY— WE OUGHT to RESPOND.
**INDICATIVE & IMPERATIVE**
or **INSTRUCTION—> APPLICATION
JESUS WORK —> OUR WORK
THERE’S NO CHICKEN/EGG CONFUSION in N.T.
>>> GRACE PRECEDES OUR GOOD WORKS 100% of the TIME. <<<
OTHERWISE IT WOULDN’T BE GRACE!
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1ST THING (IN VIEW of GOD’S MERCIES): “PRESENT BODIES as LIVING SACRIFICE”
ENTIRETY of WHO WE ARE—DEVOTED to GOD’S SERVICE
THIS = OUR SPIRITUAL WORSHIP && a LOGICAL RESPONSE to ALL GOD’S DONE FOR US...
PRACTICALLY? —> VS. 2...
DON’T BE CONFORMED to THE WORLD/AGE…BUT BE TRANSFORMED...
1. J.B. Phillips has paraphrased v2 as, ““Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its mold.”[2]
SAND TOY MOLDS—BUILDING SAND CASTLES...
PLASTIC MOLD...
THE PRODUCT LOOKS LIKE the ONE WHO “MOLDED” IT...
2 OPTIONS:
BE CONFORMED. FIT IN. BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. FOLLOW the WORLD’S MODEL.
OR: BE TRANSFORMED BY RENEWAL of MIND (BY H.S.)
&&KNOW GOD’S WILL
WE’RE ALL EITHER BEING CONFORMED or TRANSFORMED.
ARE YOU GROWING to BE MORE LIKE CHRIST?
OR ARE YOU BEING MOLDED LIKE WORLD AROUND US??
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: VS 9-21:
i. “9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
ii. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”[3]
BUT REMEMBER,, THIS COMES AFTER GOD’S SAVING WORK in CHRIST...
THIS IS WHAT NEW LIFE in CHRIST LOOKS LIKE!!
THIS = WORSHIP
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b. In Colossians 3, APOSTLE ADMONISHES:
SEEK THINGS ABOVE.... NOT of the EARTH...
THEN SETS OUT VICES to PUT OFF
NOW…WHAT DO WE DO???
TURN & READ Colossians 3:12-17 ESV “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
1. GK Word for “Put on”- SENSE of PUTTING ON CLOTHES, getting dressed…Paul’s saying, “Dress yourself like this”
AS GOD’S CHOSEN…HOLY....BELOVED ONES.... WE’RE to BE DISTINGUISHED from the WORLD AROUND US...
WE’RE SET APART/DIFFERENT
THIS = the CHRISTIAN UNIFORM/JERSEY…MARKING MEMBERS of the “TEAM”
INTERESTING THOUGHT ABOUT CLOTHES…THEY’RE VISIBLE!
“WHAT COLOR SHIRT AM I WEARING?”
YOU CAN SEE IT...
1. compassionate hearts,
2. kindness,
3. humility,
4. meekness,
5. and patience,
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PRACTICALLY WHAT’S THIS LOOK LIKE?
i. 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
BEARING W/ = LIT: PUTTING UP W/ or ENDURING! ONE ANOTHER
FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER
AS GOD FORGAVE YOU!!
THESE ARE MANIFESTATIONS of the PREVIOUS LIST!
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ii. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
John 13:35—Love = the distinguishing thing.
FUNCTIONS LIKE the COAT/TOP PIECE of OUTFIT.
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iii. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
1. PEACE BE the JUDGE/UMPIRE in LIFE… ESP. in CHURCH!
a. “Let the peace of Christ be the decisive factor in your hearts” (BDAG)
AVOIDING SAYING CERTAIN THINGS
“DOES THIS PROMOTE PEACE?”
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iv. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
CORPORATELY— MESSAGE of JESUS = CENTERPIECE… PRIMARY FOCUS in GATHERINGS...
TEACHING & ADMONISHING
SINGING PSALMS, ETC.
W/ THANKFULNESS!!
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v. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
(Q) HOW MANY THINGS?
CHALLENGING STATEMENT....
IN ALL WE DO… IT’S to BE DONE in JESUS NAME… AS a REFLECTION of HIM… AS IF WE’RE FOLLOWING in HIS STEPS.
“WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?”....IS AN HONEST QUESTION.
WE CAN CHOOSE HOW WE DO THINGS in LIFE:
HONORING to GOD
DISHONORING to GOD
OUR HEART SHOULD BE to DO THINGS AS UNTO the LORD,, AIMING to GLORIFY GOD in DAILY LIFE...
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COL. 3:23--- WRITTEN to SLAVES… WHATEVER YOU DO,, WORK FROM the SOUL,, DO WORK as WORKING FOR the LORD...
IF SLAVES COULD BE INSTRUCTED THAT WAY,, HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD WE BE??
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H. Doug Moo: “In all these texts the point is that God has chosen his people not simply to be his people but to live a certain kind of life.
That life is bound up with the calling and cannot be separated from it.”
QUESTION to ASK OURSELVES: “How could I glorify God through this?”
PERHAPS THAT MEANS WITHOUT COMPLAINING
MAYBE IT SPEAKS to DILIGENCE
FAITHFULNESS in MENIAL THINGS
There’s nothing that we do in this life that isn’t a reflection, either good or bad, of the Savior we profess to serve.
THE CHRISTIAN’S WORSHIP NEVER ENDS...
WHEN WE STEP OUTSIDE the CHURCH IT MIGHT CHANGE FORM,, BUT IT DOESN’T END.
WORSHIP BOTH INSIDE & OUTSIDE the CHURCH = ESSENTIAL...
THIS PARADIGM SHOULD CHANGE HOW WE LIVE
TURN & READ?? I. Matthew 22:37-40 ESV“37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
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Takeaways:
Takeaways:
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE = LIVED for the GLORY of GOD...
OUR FRAILTY & INSIGNIFICANCE SHOWCASES GOD’S GLORY ALL the MORE!!
ALL OUR LIFE’S SERVICE to GOD = IN LIGHT of HIS GREAT MERCY TOWARDS US @ CALVARY....
A KNOWLEDGE of GOD’S MERCY IS the FUEL THAT POWERS CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE.
NOT LEGALISM… WE AREN’T TRYING to EARN or MAINTAIN GOD’S FAVOR...
IT’S A LOVING RESPONSE to HIS GRACE & KINDNESS...
ALL PRESENT-TENSE OBEDIENCE is ROOTED in GOD’S PAST WORK ON OUR BEHALF...
WORSHIP ISN’T CONTAINED MERELY in the WORSHIP SERVICE… CHRISTIAN LIFE = ACT of WORSHIP to GOD.
OUR BODIES = PRESENTED as LIVING SACRIFICES,, FOR the MASTER’S USE...
DOING ALL THINGS in JESUS’ NAME.
CLOSE in PRAYER
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[1]Longenecker, R. N. (2016). The Epistle to the Romans: A Commentary on the Greek Text(I. H. Marshall & D. A. Hagner, Eds.; p. 921). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
[2]Longenecker, R. N. (2016). The Epistle to the Romans: A Commentary on the Greek Text(I. H. Marshall & D. A. Hagner, Eds.; p. 923). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.