Series: Understanding Worship by Stuart Briscoe



Part 1: Understanding Worship
Series: Understanding Worship
Stuart Briscoe
Romans 12:1-2

Churches regularly hold "worship services" which people attend presumably to worship. But what exactly is worship? Why should people be encouraged to worship? And how do you do it? There is a wide divergence of opinion on these issues so let us look into the Scriptures for some answers. This is important because God is seeking genuine worshippers (John 4:23).

I. Worship as Appreciation.

A. Appreciation of the human condition. Romans 1:18-2:29
1. Human rejection of divine revelation. 1:18-20
a. Creation reveals divine attributes.

b. Humanity has the ability to understand.

c. The choice to suppress the revelation.

2. Human substitution of divine rule. 1:21-22
a. The refusal to glorify Him "as God."

b. The substitution of the created for the Creator.

3. Human subjection to divine wrath. 1:24-32
a. It is being revealed… 1:18

b. …in humanity's freedom to sin and bear the consequences.

4. Human perversion of divine law. 2:1-29


Part 2: Understanding Worship
Series: Understanding Worship
Stuart Briscoe
Romans 12:1-2

Worship is the appropriate response of human beings to God's self-revelation and initiative. It starts with an adequate appreciation of Who God is and what He has done, and the development of a suitable attitude of wonder, humility and gratitude. But this appreciation and attitude must be translated into action for proper worship/service to take place.

I. Worship as Action-A Matter of Sacrifice.

A. Sacrifice a universal phenomenon.
"Sacrifice is as old as religion, religion as old as mankind."

B. Sacrifice in Greek and Roman culture.

C. Sacrifice in Jewish culture. See e.g. 2 Chronicles 29:20 36
1. Propitiatory offerings.
a. Sin offering - ritual cleansing, unintentional sin.

b. Guilt offering - restitution to God and mankind.

2. Dedicatory offerings.
a. Burnt offerings - tokens of devotion to the Lord.

b. "An aroma pleasing to the Lord." Leviticus 1:17

3. Thanksgiving offerings.

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