T
TriuneUnity
Guest
Rom. 12:1-8: 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. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
What kind of view do you have? Do you look out over a lake to see the sunrise over the water? Do you have a cottage in the woods where you have a view of all kinds of wildlife? Is your view a little more mundane? Is your view of the neighbors’ messy lawn or RV, boat and trailer parked in the back yard? My view, from my office window, is of Pastor Jenkins house and all the people who go the wrong way down Morrison Street every day. What is your view? Not out your window, but what is your view of life? It’s been called, having a world view. What is your world view? What’s the view like?
According to a Barna study done a couple years ago, everyone has a worldview, but very few have a Biblical worldview, even among Christians. In fact, only 2% of mainline Protestants and less than 1% of Catholics have a Biblical worldview. Among “Born-again” Christians it rises top 9%, but even then, that’s not very many. So what is a Biblical worldview? Barna defined it as believing that absolute moral truths exist, that such truth is defined by the Bible and firm belief that Jesus was sinless, God is the all-powerful Creator of the universe, salvation is a gift from God that can’t be earned, Satan is real, the Bible is true in all its teachings and Christians are to share their faith with others.
While I think we could agree that this isn’t a bad definition, a Biblical worldview must be more than just accepting a set of truths; it must be a view of the world that is shaped by God’s grace and mercy. Look at what Paul wrote about worldview.
“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.” “In view of God’s mercy” – that phrase takes us back into eternity and reveals God’s loving heart to us. Then it takes us down to Bethlehem where we see that loving heart beating in the chest of his own Son, clothed in our flesh. Next it leads us to Calvary where we see that loving heart stop beating because of our sins. Then it directs us to the word, the baptismal font, the communion altar, where that loving heart offers forgiveness for sins. Finally it directs us to the heaven that awaits us. A Biblical worldview starts by seeing all of God’s mercy from beginning to end. With that view in front of us, a Biblical worldview sees ourselves as spiritual offerings. When you think of offerings, what do you think of? Do you think of ushers walking down the aisle with offering plates? Do you think of writing a check? Do you think of the financial struggles of the congregation? Now, what do you think God thinks of? He thinks of you. He wants you.
Paul uses the word for the burnt offering described in the Old Testament book of Leviticus. It was a daily sacrifice of burning up the animal entirely. It didn’t feed the priests or go to the poor or help raise money for the temple. It simply was burned up, signifying that it belonged to God and so do we.
The NIV translates it as a sacrifice. What is a sacrifice? Look at the cross. That was no half-hearted effort stretched out on those beams. That was God’s own Son completely given by a God of total and complete love. Now, he says that we are to be living sacrifices. Have we been living sacrifices, total offerings to the Lord? Has our worship been a total offering to the Lord? Yes, we say, except when there’s too much snow or too much heat or something really good on TV. Of course, you can’t count summer time at the cottage or vacations, right? Has our attitude been a total offering to the Lord? Yes, we say, except for those pet sins that work their way into the fabric of our lives – the anger, envy, gossip, lust, greed. Has our time been a total offering to the Lord? Yes, we say, except when I get fed up that so many others don’t chip in and decide I’ve done enough.
But then we look up and what do we see? The cross. In view of God’s mercy. That’s where our worldview begins and with that view none of those “excepts” work anymore, do they? God has had total mercy and given us total forgiveness and continues to pour out on us total grace and show us total love. In view of all of that, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
How? “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Our worldview is different so our lives are different as well. Our lives lead to heaven, not just to be lived out on earth. Talents are for serving Christ not just for making a living. God’s commandments are guidelines for peaceful living, not policeman’s rules that take the fun out of life. Marriage, morals, money, family, business and pleasure are seen through the lens of God’s mercy, not unbelief’s selfishness.
Why? Why should I spend my time at church meetings, working on school projects or taking meals to a hurting family? Why should I save myself for marriage? Why should I consider full time service in the church as a pastor or teacher? Why should I give hard-earned dollars away to the church? Do we have to ask “why?” In view of God’s mercy, he says, and that phase takes us right back to the foot of the cross. That makes the “why” clear and when the “why” is clear, the “what” will follow.
All of this can be summarized in one word: worship. A Biblical worldview sees our whole life as one big worship service. And, in fact, the traditional Lutheran worship service is a summary of the Christian life. The service begins, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” along with the sign of the cross which reminds us of our beginning in the Christian life at our Baptism. The service ends with the singing of Simeon’s Song, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace . . .” reminding us of the end of our journey. In between, we have confession of sins with the announcement of forgiveness, prayer, hearing of God’s Word, singing praise to God, offerings and receiving the Lord’s Supper. So also in life we repent of our sins, we are assured of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Christ. We spend time in prayer, in Bible reading, in offering our lives to God, and the worship with others around the Lord’s table.
The worship service is a good picture of what our lives are like, In view of God’s mercy. In view of God’s mercy, do you live your life as worship? Do you do all things to the glory of God? Are you reading your Bible and involved in Bible Study? Is daily repentance a part of your life? Are you regular in prayer and the Lord’s Supper? Do you give not only treasure but time in service to the church and others? If not, perhaps we need to take another look at God’s mercy and regain a Biblical worldview.
A Biblical worldview will also help us see ourselves correctly. “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Sober judgment means to observe the proper measure. When you make a cake you have to have the right measure of flour and sugar. Too much flour or too little, too much sugar or too little, and the cake will not taste very good. So we need to keep a proper, balanced measure of ourselves and our abilities.
Paul goes on. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Paul’s comparison of the church to a body is a reminder to us that we cannot think of ourselves individually. We cannot think of ourselves as an island. A Biblical worldview will see ourselves as part of the body and our gifts necessary for the body to function properly.
Nehemiah records the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the exiles returned. Each section of the wall was built by different groups of men, each one taking responsibility for their section. What is your piece of the wall? That is, what are you contributing to your church locally and the synod at large? What service can you give? What area will you take responsibility for? What is your piece of the wall?
Do you have a Biblical worldview? It begins at the cross and sees the world, life and self in view of God’s mercy. In view of God’s mercy a Biblical worldview sees ourselves as spiritual sacrifices, it sees life as worship and it sees the need to use our gifts for the good of God’s people. May God grant us a view of our world, our lives and ourselves.
In Jesus Name.
Pr. Kenneth Frey; St. Paul Lutheran Church
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
What kind of view do you have? Do you look out over a lake to see the sunrise over the water? Do you have a cottage in the woods where you have a view of all kinds of wildlife? Is your view a little more mundane? Is your view of the neighbors’ messy lawn or RV, boat and trailer parked in the back yard? My view, from my office window, is of Pastor Jenkins house and all the people who go the wrong way down Morrison Street every day. What is your view? Not out your window, but what is your view of life? It’s been called, having a world view. What is your world view? What’s the view like?
According to a Barna study done a couple years ago, everyone has a worldview, but very few have a Biblical worldview, even among Christians. In fact, only 2% of mainline Protestants and less than 1% of Catholics have a Biblical worldview. Among “Born-again” Christians it rises top 9%, but even then, that’s not very many. So what is a Biblical worldview? Barna defined it as believing that absolute moral truths exist, that such truth is defined by the Bible and firm belief that Jesus was sinless, God is the all-powerful Creator of the universe, salvation is a gift from God that can’t be earned, Satan is real, the Bible is true in all its teachings and Christians are to share their faith with others.
While I think we could agree that this isn’t a bad definition, a Biblical worldview must be more than just accepting a set of truths; it must be a view of the world that is shaped by God’s grace and mercy. Look at what Paul wrote about worldview.
“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.” “In view of God’s mercy” – that phrase takes us back into eternity and reveals God’s loving heart to us. Then it takes us down to Bethlehem where we see that loving heart beating in the chest of his own Son, clothed in our flesh. Next it leads us to Calvary where we see that loving heart stop beating because of our sins. Then it directs us to the word, the baptismal font, the communion altar, where that loving heart offers forgiveness for sins. Finally it directs us to the heaven that awaits us. A Biblical worldview starts by seeing all of God’s mercy from beginning to end. With that view in front of us, a Biblical worldview sees ourselves as spiritual offerings. When you think of offerings, what do you think of? Do you think of ushers walking down the aisle with offering plates? Do you think of writing a check? Do you think of the financial struggles of the congregation? Now, what do you think God thinks of? He thinks of you. He wants you.
Paul uses the word for the burnt offering described in the Old Testament book of Leviticus. It was a daily sacrifice of burning up the animal entirely. It didn’t feed the priests or go to the poor or help raise money for the temple. It simply was burned up, signifying that it belonged to God and so do we.
The NIV translates it as a sacrifice. What is a sacrifice? Look at the cross. That was no half-hearted effort stretched out on those beams. That was God’s own Son completely given by a God of total and complete love. Now, he says that we are to be living sacrifices. Have we been living sacrifices, total offerings to the Lord? Has our worship been a total offering to the Lord? Yes, we say, except when there’s too much snow or too much heat or something really good on TV. Of course, you can’t count summer time at the cottage or vacations, right? Has our attitude been a total offering to the Lord? Yes, we say, except for those pet sins that work their way into the fabric of our lives – the anger, envy, gossip, lust, greed. Has our time been a total offering to the Lord? Yes, we say, except when I get fed up that so many others don’t chip in and decide I’ve done enough.
But then we look up and what do we see? The cross. In view of God’s mercy. That’s where our worldview begins and with that view none of those “excepts” work anymore, do they? God has had total mercy and given us total forgiveness and continues to pour out on us total grace and show us total love. In view of all of that, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
How? “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Our worldview is different so our lives are different as well. Our lives lead to heaven, not just to be lived out on earth. Talents are for serving Christ not just for making a living. God’s commandments are guidelines for peaceful living, not policeman’s rules that take the fun out of life. Marriage, morals, money, family, business and pleasure are seen through the lens of God’s mercy, not unbelief’s selfishness.
Why? Why should I spend my time at church meetings, working on school projects or taking meals to a hurting family? Why should I save myself for marriage? Why should I consider full time service in the church as a pastor or teacher? Why should I give hard-earned dollars away to the church? Do we have to ask “why?” In view of God’s mercy, he says, and that phase takes us right back to the foot of the cross. That makes the “why” clear and when the “why” is clear, the “what” will follow.
All of this can be summarized in one word: worship. A Biblical worldview sees our whole life as one big worship service. And, in fact, the traditional Lutheran worship service is a summary of the Christian life. The service begins, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” along with the sign of the cross which reminds us of our beginning in the Christian life at our Baptism. The service ends with the singing of Simeon’s Song, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace . . .” reminding us of the end of our journey. In between, we have confession of sins with the announcement of forgiveness, prayer, hearing of God’s Word, singing praise to God, offerings and receiving the Lord’s Supper. So also in life we repent of our sins, we are assured of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Christ. We spend time in prayer, in Bible reading, in offering our lives to God, and the worship with others around the Lord’s table.
The worship service is a good picture of what our lives are like, In view of God’s mercy. In view of God’s mercy, do you live your life as worship? Do you do all things to the glory of God? Are you reading your Bible and involved in Bible Study? Is daily repentance a part of your life? Are you regular in prayer and the Lord’s Supper? Do you give not only treasure but time in service to the church and others? If not, perhaps we need to take another look at God’s mercy and regain a Biblical worldview.
A Biblical worldview will also help us see ourselves correctly. “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Sober judgment means to observe the proper measure. When you make a cake you have to have the right measure of flour and sugar. Too much flour or too little, too much sugar or too little, and the cake will not taste very good. So we need to keep a proper, balanced measure of ourselves and our abilities.
Paul goes on. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Paul’s comparison of the church to a body is a reminder to us that we cannot think of ourselves individually. We cannot think of ourselves as an island. A Biblical worldview will see ourselves as part of the body and our gifts necessary for the body to function properly.
Nehemiah records the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the exiles returned. Each section of the wall was built by different groups of men, each one taking responsibility for their section. What is your piece of the wall? That is, what are you contributing to your church locally and the synod at large? What service can you give? What area will you take responsibility for? What is your piece of the wall?
Do you have a Biblical worldview? It begins at the cross and sees the world, life and self in view of God’s mercy. In view of God’s mercy a Biblical worldview sees ourselves as spiritual sacrifices, it sees life as worship and it sees the need to use our gifts for the good of God’s people. May God grant us a view of our world, our lives and ourselves.
In Jesus Name.
Pr. Kenneth Frey; St. Paul Lutheran Church
