Hickory Valley Community Church
Preparation is a key to almost everything in life. From athletics, to concerts, to test-taking, preparation helps the participants to make sure they are able to give their best.
The same is true when we gather for worship. Having a heart prepared to worship is key to having a great worship experience. As we begin our new sermon series, Everyday Celebration, this Sunday we are going to look at The Attitude of Worship. As we explore Romans 12, we will be examining three key attitudes that prepare our hearts to worship Him!
We would like to welcome you today. We hope you find today's experience both encouraging and challenging. If we can assist you in any way, please let us know.
We hope you enjoy your time at Hickory Valley today. If you would like to know more about Hickory Valley, you can text the word "Welcome" on your mobile device to 423-451-4231. You will receive a text message back, asking for your email address. When you enter your address, we will be able to email you more information about Hickory Valley.
Romans 12:1-8 ESV
By using the word body Paul is saying that we are to present all of ourselves, not just the religious part, not just the spiritual part, but all that encompasses the totality of who you are as a person.
The word translated present means to make available, to offer, to give, or to give up. Paul is talking here about the idea of letting yourself go, of surrendering yourself completely to God.
Paul used the term sacrifice because his ancient readers would understand the concept of sacrifice. When you come to worship, come with the attitude of giving of yourself. Come a willingness to pay a price, so to speak. Come with an attitude that says, "I'm here to give, not here to get."
Worship isn't about us. Worship is our time to give to God that which he is due. But the paradox is that the more we surrender to him, and the more we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, the more He blesses us.
Instead of saying, "What can others do to make this worship service more enjoyable for me?" we need to say, "What can I do for others this morning? What can I add to this service? What can I add to the spirit of fellowship?"
The word translated worship originally meant, in Classical Greek, work for hire or work for pay. And over the years, as language has a way becoming more nuanced, this word came to mean serve, and it came to mean that to which a man gives his life.