Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary: "How to Worship"

Release Date: March 15, 2025
Host/Author: Ligonier Ministries
Speaker: R.C. Sproul

Introduction

In the episode titled "How to Worship", R.C. Sproul delves deep into the biblical and historical foundations of Christian worship. As the inaugural message in his 10-part series, "Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow," Sproul addresses the complexities and challenges surrounding worship in contemporary Christian practice. He emphasizes the necessity of worshiping God as He is revealed in Scripture, advocating for a holistic approach that encompasses God's entire counsel rather than selective attributes.

1. The Importance of Proper Worship

Sproul opens by underscoring that worship should be anchored in Sacred Scripture, ensuring that believers focus on the whole counsel of God rather than isolated, comfortable aspects. He states:

"The only God that we are to worship is the God who reveals himself in Sacred Scripture. And true worship focuses on the whole counsel of God, not on isolated aspects of God with which we are comfortable." (00:00)

This foundational principle sets the tone for understanding worship's proper place within the Christian life.

2. Historical Perspectives: The Protestant Reformation

Sproul traces the roots of contemporary worship debates back to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. He highlights that beyond the famed doctrinal conflicts, there was a significant opposition to the medieval Roman Catholic worship practices. This led reformers to prioritize the reformation of worship, influencing Protestant worship styles across Europe and the British Isles.

Key Insight:

• The English Reformation wasn't solely about doctrine but deeply intertwined with mode and manner of worship.
• The ensuing conflicts, such as those with the Puritans, further emphasized the centrality of worship practices.

3. Scriptural Foundations: The Ten Commandments

Sproul meticulously examines the Ten Commandments, emphasizing their primary focus on humanity's responsibilities toward God. He particularly spotlights the first two commandments:

1. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
   (Transcript Reference, [First Commandment])

2. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image."
   (Transcript Reference, [Second Commandment])

Sproul explains that these commandments establish a priority for worship, guarding against idolatry by ensuring that God remains foremost in believers' lives.

"The first principle of the law is a principle that governs against idolatry. Because what idolatry does is misdirects worship from the true God to some kind of substitute... replacing the God who is." (05:30)

4. The Danger of Idolatry in Worship

Idolatry, as Sproul articulates, isn't limited to the physical creation of idols but extends to substituting God with personal preferences. Modern idolatry often involves emphasizing certain divine attributes (like love and grace) while neglecting others (such as sovereignty and justice), thereby distorting God's true nature.

"The problem with idolatry is... producing a substitute for the true God." (15:45)

Sproul warns against the subtle shift where worship becomes about what is culturally trendy or personally comfortable, rather than what is biblically mandated.

5. Biblical Examples: Worship in the Old and New Testaments

Sproul references key biblical narratives to illustrate proper and improper worship:

• Mount Sinai Incident:
  He recounts how the Israelites, despite witnessing God's majestic revelation, quickly turned to idolatry with the golden calf. This underscores humanity's tendency to revert to familiar, yet false, forms of worship when faced with divine transcendence.

  "There were having another God before God. There they are with their graven image... purer than those first two commandments." (20:15)

• Jesus and the Samaritan Woman:
  In John 4, Jesus engages with a Samaritan woman about the true nature of worship. He shifts the focus from where to how we worship, emphasizing that true worshipers will worship "in spirit and truth."

  "The hour is coming and now is... when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." (25:30)

• Paul at Mars Hill:
  Sproul draws a parallel to Paul's encounter with the Athenians, highlighting the universal challenge of ignorant worship and the necessity of understanding whom we truly worship.

  "You worship in ignorance... I now declare to you in power the God who made heaven and earth." (30:50)

6. Jesus' Teaching on Worship: Worship in Spirit and Truth

Central to Sproul's message is Jesus' declaration that true worship must occur "in spirit and truth." He breaks down this concept as follows:

• Worship in Spirit:
  Worship should emanate from the heart and soul, ensuring that it is genuine and heartfelt rather than mere external rituals. It involves full engagement of the believer's being.

  "Worship that pleases God is a worship that is not given grudgingly... motivated and driven by a soul that delights in the presence of God." (33:20)

• Worship in Truth:
  Worship must align with biblical truth, reflecting an accurate understanding of God's nature and character. It rejects any form of doctrinal compromise or heresy.

  "God is seeking people who will worship him correctly... according to the truth that he has revealed." (37:05)

Sproul emphasizes that ignorant worship, whether through physical formalism or theological inaccuracies, fails to honor God as He deserves.

7. Application for Modern Worshipers

Sproul applies these biblical principles to contemporary worship practices, urging believers to:

• Avoid Formalism:
  Reject mere outward rituals devoid of heartfelt engagement. Worship should be a holistic experience involving body, soul, and spirit.

• Embrace Doctrinal Truth:
  Uphold the truth of Scripture in worship settings, ensuring that doctrines align with God's revealed Word. This includes recognizing and rejecting modern theological deviations like open theism.

  "Worship is based on the truth about who God is... not according to our own preferences." (35:40)

• Engage Fully:
  Prepare oneself mentally and spiritually before worship, ensuring that the transition from everyday life to sacred worship is marked by focused attention and sincere devotion.

  "We need to prepare ourselves for worship and to remind ourselves... to engage the whole mind." (38:15)

Sproul also references John Calvin's views on prayer to illustrate the importance of maintaining focus and sincerity in worship, even amidst life's distractions.

Conclusion

In "How to Worship," R.C. Sproul provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing true worship. By grounding worship in Scriptural truth and emphasizing the necessity of worshiping with spirit and truth, Sproul calls believers to a deeper, more authentic worship experience. He warns against the pitfalls of idolatry and formalism, advocating for a worship life that fully honors God in both heart and doctrine.

"The true worshiper must worship in spirit and in truth." (39:00)

For those seeking to renew their approach to worship, Sproul's message serves as both a corrective and an encouragement to embrace the fullness of biblical worship.

Notable Quotes:

• R.C. Sproul (00:00):
  "The only God that we are to worship is the God who reveals himself in Sacred Scripture."

• R.C. Sproul (15:45):
  "The problem with idolatry is... producing a substitute for the true God."

• R.C. Sproul (33:20):
  "Worship that pleases God is a worship that is not given grudgingly... motivated and driven by a soul that delights in the presence of God."

• R.C. Sproul (39:00):
  "The true worshiper must worship in spirit and in truth."

Further Engagement:

Listeners are encouraged to support the Renewing Your Mind ministry by donating any amount at renewingyourmind.org. Donations not only grant access to this 10-message series but also provide the companion book, enriching the listener's journey towards deeper spiritual growth.

Note: This summary omits non-content sections such as advertisements, introductions, and outros to focus solely on the substantive teachings of the episode.