How does the phrase "pleasing aroma to the LORD" apply to our worship? The Verse “ The entrails and legs are to be washed with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.” (Leviticus 1:9) What “Pleasing Aroma” Signified in Israel’s Worship • Total surrender—everything on the altar, nothing held back • Purity—the washing of entrails and legs before burning • Divine approval—God Himself declaring the sacrifice “pleasing,” not people deciding it was acceptable • Anticipation of Christ—the burnt offering foreshadowed the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 10:1-10) Why This Matters for Our Worship Today • Christ fulfilled the pattern – “Christ…gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2) • Our response mirrors the burnt offering – “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1) • Worship is still about God’s pleasure, not ours – “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:15) Characteristics of Worship That Rises as a Pleasing Aroma 1. Wholehearted devotion – No compartmentalizing: Sunday praise and weekday compromise cannot coexist. 2. Purity of heart and conduct – “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:3-4) 3. Christ-centered focus – Songs, prayers, and sermons that exalt Jesus, not self-help or entertainment. 4. Obedient lives beyond the gathering – “Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16) 5. Sacrificial generosity – Paul called the Philippians’ gift “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18) 6. Persistent prayer – “May my prayer be set before You like incense.” (Psalm 141:2) Practical Ways to Offer a Pleasing Aroma This Week • Begin each day by yielding every plan to the Lord—nothing off the altar. • Guard personal holiness: confess sin promptly; pursue purity in thought, speech, and action. • Make Christ the centerpiece of private and corporate worship—sing, read, and speak of His finished work. • Turn generosity into a habit: support mission work, meet a believer’s need, bless a neighbor. • Serve unnoticed: choose one task that gains no applause but delights the Father. • Keep prayer burning: set reminders to lift brief prayers, letting incense rise all day long. Encouragement When worship flows from surrendered, purified, Christ-focused lives, the Father still calls it “a pleasing aroma.” Live and worship this way, and heaven’s approval rests on every song, prayer, gift, and act of obedience you offer. |
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