Here are a few quotes that may help one to understand the (sometimes confusing) concepts of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will:

“Our destiny is not determined for us, but it is determined by us. Man’s free will is part of God’s sovereign will. We have freedom to take which course we choose, but not freedom to determine the end of that choice.” Oswald Chambers

“Whoever is on God’s side is on the winning side and cannot lose; whoever is on the other side is on the losing side and cannot win. Here there is no chance, no gamble. There is freedom to choose which side we shall be on but no freedom to negotiate the results of the choice once it is made. By the mercy of God we may repent a wrong choice and alter the consequences by making a new and right choice. Beyond that we cannot go.” A. W. Tozer

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” Deuteronomy 30:19

(Last update: August 21, 2008)

Recently, I preached a message by this title using Romans 12:1 (NIV) as the text.

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.

The idea is that “worship” extends beyond what we do in church.

1. Worship respects God’s mercy – we must remember where we WERE (cf Ro 11:33-35; 12:1-3,6)
2. Worship requires sacrifice – if it doesn’t cost something, it isn’t worth anything (1Ch 21:24; Ro 12:1,2,5)
3. Worship relies on faith – a dependence upon God – rather than a command to Him (Ro 12:2,3,6-9a)

The conclusion:

• Real worship means that I live so that others will see Christ in me (mercy)
• Real worship requires that I stand up for what is truly valuable (sacrifice)
• Real worship relies upon me serving others & making Christ desirable to them (faith)

You can download the outline below.