Worship and Liturgy Back to the heart of worship Romans 12:1-2 †Martin Breytenbach Anglicans Ablaze Western Cape Regional Conference – Saturday 2 nd May 2015
“Therefore…” Romans 12:1a
“Therefore…” Testimony 1)Being Filled with the Holy Spirit (1974) My purpose: to worship God Every moment In everything 2)First Celebration of the Eucharist South African Prayer Book Surrender to God God was there! 3
“Therefore…” Response to what God has done (Romans 1-11) Good News! (Rom 1:16-17) Creation (Rom 1:20) We messed up (Rom 3: 23-24) God’s grace in Jesus (Rom 6:23) No condemnation (Rom 8:1) Children of God (Rom 8:15-16) God works for good (Rom 8:28-39) All are included – God sends us (Rom 10:12-15) Rom 11:
Two Directions Two Questions Romans 12:1b-2
Two Directions – Two Questions 1)From Us To God (Rom 12:1) “Present your bodies” (plural) Thank offering Each one individually Body = whole being Spirit Intellect Relationships Emotions Activities Work… 6
Two Directions – Two Questions 1)From Us To God (Rom 12:1) “A living sacrifice” (singular) A corporate activity We cannot worship alone Worship binds us together Sacrifice means surrender – give up Time Personal preferences Not about meeting my needs 7
Two Directions – Two Questions 1)From Us To God (Rom 12:1) “Holy and acceptable” Holy = set apart Dedicated Committed Responding to God’s call Holy = pure We fall far short Bring the impurities to God too! Personal sin, Problems in society, Issues in the community, Doubts, Failures, Disappointments, Grief, Illness… 8
Two Directions – Two Questions 1)From Us To God (Rom 12:1) First Question: What do we have to bring to God in this act of worship? 9
Two Directions – Two Questions 2)From God To Us (Rom 12:2) “Transformed” Not conformed So many pressures in the world to conform False values Often unaware of it! Back into God’s image 2 Corinthians 3:18 Increasingly like Jesus 10
Two Directions – Two Questions 2)From God To Us (Rom 12:2) “Renewing of your mind” Learning To think as God does To see things as God does To act as God does God leads and guides God’s plan for individuals, churches and nations How to respond to life situations 11
Two Directions – Two Questions 2)From God To Us (Rom 12:2) “God’s good, pleasing and perfect will” The Holy Spirit at work Saving & healing Calling into new ministries Empowering for mission and service The Transforming power of God In individuals, churches and nations Leaving church as changed people 12
Two Directions – Two Questions 1)From God To Us (Rom 12:2) Second Question: What does God want to bring to us in this act of worship? 13
Summary 1)Worship: From Us to God What do we have to bring to God in this act of worship? 2)Worship: From God to Us What does God want to bring to us in this act of worship? Workshop: How do we work this out in practice? 14