Title: This is change
Text: Romans 12:1-5
Date: 2007. 6. 24. Sunday Day Worship
The three classics of Christian literature are Augustine's 'The Confessions', John's translation of 'The Passion of the Elders', and Thomas Akempis's 'Imitation of Christ'. These books changed many people after the Bible. I would like to introduce a person who has been changed by reading “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas Akempis.
Christian history is being written by changed people. Change comes to those who desire and try. Have we really changed? The self-diagnosis method that we can tell ourselves whether we have changed is as follows. There are things that changed people value. If it is with me, I can say that I am a changed person, a person who is being changed. What, then, does the changed person value?
First, it is “worship” (v. 1).
Changed people know that worship is very important. I know how to give up other things for the sake of worshiping God. The roots of our worship today are Old Testament sacrifices, and Old Testament sacrifices provide the theological roots of worship. Sacrifice requires an offering. Our offering to God is “our body.” The offering must be consecrated. We must live a sanctified life before God. If we sin and live a life of debauchery, our worship cannot reach God. Worship is not “seeing”, but “giving”. Praise is an element of worship, and prayer is offered. It is also to listen to God's word and give life.
In the beginning, worship is thrilling and deep peace. This kind of worship has healing power. However, as time goes by, the initial emotion may disappear and only the form may remain. I have gotten used to the form of worship because I have Yeonjo, but because I do not have an encounter with God through worship, I pretend to worship on Sundays reverently, but I live a life that pleases my body like a stranger during the week. Because they have believed for years, they cannot sin openly, so they sin in secret. There are not many people who lead a double life like this. The Lord swears at these people. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for they clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and debauchery” (Matthew 23:25) In order not to receive this kind of rebuke, we need to offer worship that encounters God, not formal worship. You can do this. Learn to respond before God during worship. Hear the word of God and respond before God. Worship is a life that responds honestly to the Word. Such a person will experience the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the walk of God.
Second, it is “the will of God” (v. 2).
The changed man's interest is "God's will". Before starting any business, check the “will of God”. This person is a changed person. However, some people do not ask “God’s will” before starting a business, but rather try to confirm “the success of the business.” They look similar, but very different. Anyone who wants to check the success of their business is interested in money. A person's interest in confirming the will of God is a godly life. It's a lot different.
To confirm the will of God, I offer two exhortations. First of all, please do your best not to be swayed by the trends of the world. Another thing, I hope you receive a change of heart. The heart is a window to God. You can see God only when your heart is pure (Matthew 5:8). God has given us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, the Holy Spirit, to enlighten the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:17-18). The Holy Spirit enlightens the eyes of our hearts. If greed is involved, we cannot discern God's will. First, we must put down our greed and ask for the will of the Lord. Knowing the will of God is not difficult because the Holy Spirit is present in the born-again Christian. God is not stingy with us. Only because we indulge in sin and live in the grip of lust, God's will is distorted within us. Therefore, before asking God's will, let go of your greed.
Third, it is “living together” (verses 3-5).
To the changed person, “we” are more important than “I”. So the changed person values the family. We value the church community. Each of us is a member of the church. The church is where the members unite to form one body. Therefore, we should not exceed the fraction and think wisely according to the measure of our faith. The church is not a place run by one hero. It is a place where many members come together to form the body of Christ. So, don't be arrogant as if you're going to do everything by yourself. We must humbly respect other members and unite well. You must kill yourself for this. It should be mixed well. Only Jesus, who is dissolved in the church and is the head, must be revealed. In that sense, blending well is an ability and a mature faith.
Although not necessarily the case, if a singer or aspiring singer is in the choir, it creates dissonance. Because he does not give up his tone. In the end, despite his extraordinary talent, he ruins the praise because it clashes with the voices of others. No matter how powerful a person is, if they do not mix well, it will not help to build up the body of Christ. If they are mixed well, they can form one body and become a church ruled by Christ, who is the head. Each member hides inside the body and only the head is exposed. There is nothing to be embarrassed about that I have been hidden. The original church should be like that. If you hide yourself in the body of Christ and reveal your influence through your gifts and offices to benefit other members, you will glorify God. If doing this is easy and enjoyable, then he is definitely a changed person.