Pleasing God – Practical Worship
2008/05/15
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
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Why does God want your body? Why doesn’t he say, “Offer your spirit”?
It’s because without your body you can’t do anything on this planet. In eternity, you’re going to get a new, improved, upgraded body but while you’re here on earth God says, “Give me what you’ve got!” He’s just being practical about worship.
You’ve heard people say, “I can’t make it to the meeting tonight but I’ll be with you in spirit.” Do you know what that means? Nothing. It’s worthless! As long as you’re on Earth your spirit can only be where your body is! If your body isn’t there, neither are you!
In worship we are to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices.” Now, we usually associate the concept of sacrifice with something dead, but God wants you to be a living sacrifice. He wants you to live for him!
However, the problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar, and we often do that. We sing “Onward Christian Soldiers” on Sunday, then go AWOL on Monday.
In the Old Testament, God took pleasure in the many sacrifices of worship because they foretold of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. Now, God is pleased with different sacrifices of worship: thanksgiving, praise, humility, repentance, offerings of money, prayer, serving others, and sharing with those in need.
Real worship costs. David knew this and said, “I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24 TEV). One thing worship costs us is our self-centeredness. You cannot exalt God and yourself at the same time. You don’t worship to be seen by others. You deliberately shift the focus off yourself.
When Jesus said, “Love God with all your strength” (Luke 10:27), he was pointing out that worship takes effort and energy. It is not always convenient or comfortable, and sometimes worship is a sheer act of the will – a willing sacrifice.

Some Inspiration

Hey guys, my flatmate was sent this video clip and when I watched it, it was just amazing. There were two things that stood out when I watched the video.



Firstly, they all were a part of a great cause. To really take the Gospel into new areas and to use their talent as musicians to touch the less fortunate and also to bless other people alike.

Secondly, from a technical aspect, notice how they had 4 guitarists playing, Michael W. Smith, Isreal Houghton, Paul Baloche and Steven Curtis Chapman, and they all strummed together at the same time and they did not once sound messy or out of sync with each other, eventhough they each were well respected solo musicians.

So my point is, as musicians that serve God, make sure you find your right purpose, play for the King never for the audience AND be professional, giving your best to Him.

God Bless,

Keith