A Taste of Heaven

by R. C. Sproul

Publisher:

Reformation Trust

, 2006

Overview

“We’re living in a time when there is a manifest crisis of worship in the church. It’s almost as if we’re in the midst of a rebellion among people who find church less than meaningful. They’re bored.”

This “bored” state has provoked many disputes over the nature of worship. In A Taste of Heaven, R.C. Sproul examines the key components of prayer, praise, and sacrifices that God gave to his people in the Old Testament. He shows how biblical principles can guide today’s worshipers, for the Lord has designed worship to give his people a taste of heaven.

Key Features

• Brief introduction to the basic principles of worship
• Biblical principles to guide today’s worshipers

Contents

Top Highlights

“The sacrifices that were made in the Old Testament were to be sacrifices of praise, and praise is an attempt to express honor. The central element of worship in the Bible involved honoring God, blessing God, esteeming and reverencing God. A sacrifice was offered as an outward sign of a heart that was filled with awe, reverence, and respect toward God.” (Page 41)

“There is no doubt that God wants His worship to have form, so the question is not whether we will have a liturgy or not. The issue is whether the liturgy is biblical in its content, and ultimately, whether we are using the liturgy to worship in spirit and in truth. No matter what the liturgy is, whether it’s a plain liturgy, a simple liturgy, or a complex, highly symbolic liturgy, it can be formalized and externalized so that it is corrupted to the point that God despises it. As we seek out the forms of worship that please God, we must be vigilant lest we fall into formalism or externalism.” (Page 22)

“I believe it is because they have no sense of the presence of God when they attend worship. The real crisis of worship today is not that the preaching is paltry or that it’s too drafty in church. It is that people have no sense of the presence of God, and if they have no sense of His presence, how can they be moved to express the deepest feelings of their souls to honor, revere, worship, and glorify God?” (Page 126)

“It is as if Paul says to the Romans: ‘Think of the gospel. What is your response to what Christ has done for you—Christ, Who spared nothing, Who gave His life for His people, Who made the ultimate sacrifice for His sheep? How do we respond to that? What is the reasonable response?’ And Paul says, ‘Here is your reasonable service or your spiritual worship.’” (Page 45)

Endorsements

R.C. Sproul has done it again. He has tackled the touchy subject of worship in a provocative and creative way that will shake up the complacent and force the thoughtful to think again. Holiness and reverence have all too often departed from our churches without anyone noticing, and this wake-up call could not be more timely. Read this book, get annoyed at it, and then take its lessons to heart—it will change your life.

—Dr. Gerald Bray, research professor, Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, AL

In A Taste of Heaven, R.C. Sproul’s signature work, The Holiness of God, has found its true companion. To grasp God’s weightiness is also to recognize the sanctity of worship. If Christians will read and digest A Taste of Heaven, we will have taken an important step toward the reformation of today’s church. Anyone who wishes to draw near to God acceptably, with reverence and awe, will be inspired and helped by this engaging and important book.

—Richard D. Phillips, senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina

Two Sproul trademarks run all the way through this helpful new book on worship. First, his language is so absolutely clear, even though he’s treating weighty subject matter. Second, his tone is so amiable, even though he’s treating controversial issues. The church at large will be helped not just by his content—which is critically important these days—but by his style as well.

—Joel Belz, founder, WORLD Magazine

Product Details

• Title: A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity
• Author: R. C. Sproul
• Publisher: Reformation Trust
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Public worship › Reformed Church; Reformed Church › Liturgy; Reformed Church › Doctrines; Worship › Biblical teaching
• ISBNs: 9781567690767, 1567690769
• Resource ID: LLS:TSTEHVNSPROUL
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:31:59Z

About R. C. Sproul

R. C. Sproul (1939– 2017) was a respected teacher, theologian, pastor. He was the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries where he served as executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary. He taught at several colleges and seminaries including Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He served as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, in Sanford, Florida. Sproul’s teaching can be heard daily on the ‘Renewing Your Mind’ radio broadcast which plays in over 40 countries.

Sproul wrote over 70 books and articles including the classic The Holiness of God and several theological articles in Tabletalk magazine.