Enjoying Worship

Enjoying Worship

I Introduction:

There are lots of people doing things in the name of worship today.
1. Some are singing in choirs.
2. Others maybe ringing bells, and lighting candles.
3. Still others may be playing parts in skits: acting things out to try to get across a message to those who are watching.
4. And, then there are some who are sprinkling water on people, and speaking in Latin.
A lot of people think that it is great to have all this diversity in worship.
1. That way people can shop around, and find a group that is doing things that they like in worship.
2. And, if they grow tired of one way of worshipping, they can find another way.

II But, is all this diversity a good thing?

Not everything done in the name of worship is acceptable to God.
1. There are several types of unacceptable worship mentioned in the scriptures.
  1. Vain worship - Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7.
  2. Will worship - Colossians 2:23.
  3. [Ignorant worship] - John 4:22; Acts 17:23.
2. Unacceptable worship is not pleasing to God.
  1. God rejected Cain's sacrifice.
    1. Genesis 4:3-5.
    2. Hebrews 11:4.
  2. Nadab and Abihu were struck dead because of what they offered to God - Leviticus 10:1-2.
    1. They made a substitution for what God commanded.
    2. It may have been close, but it was not acceptable.
3. Saul offered the right thing, but not in the right way, and he was rebuked because of it - I Samuel 13:8-14.
  1. Saul became impatient, and did not wait for Samuel.
  2. He may have offered the right thing, but he did not do it the right way, for Samuel told him he had not ept the commandment of the Lord (13).
4. Israel's worship was an insult to God - Malachi 1:7-8.
  1. Their attitude was wrong (7).
  2. They offered Him the blind, and lame (8).
God has told us how to worship Him.
1. God wants to be worshipped in spirit and truth - John 4:24.
  1. Spirit.
    1. With the heart, and with the mind.
    2. Not just going through the motions, but truly being nvolved in the worship we offer Him.
  2. Truth.
    1. According to the instructions He has given in His word.
    2. For His word is truth - John 17:17.
2. What acts of worship has He authorized in His word?
  1. Singing - Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19.
    1. Without the use of mechanical instruments of music.
    2. They may be pretty, but there is no authorization for them.
    3. Words need to be scriptural, for we are teaching one another.
  2. Praying - Ephesians 5:20; Acts 2:42.
    1. They prayed to God the Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
    2. They did not pray to dead men, nor did they pray to Mary the mother of Jesus. There is no authority for doing so.
3. Giving - I Corinthians 16:1-2.
  1. They were to give upon the first day of the week.
  2. This is the only authorized way for the church to raise funds for the work it does. There is no authority for garage sales, raffles, or soliciting funds.
4. Communion - Luke 22:19; Acts 20:7.
  1. Jesus instituted the Lord's supper, and said to do this in remembrance of Him.
  2. The early church did so upon the first day of every week.
  3. We have no authority to do it any less, any more, or at any other time.
5. Preaching - Acts 20:7; I Timothy 4:13.
  1. Preaching was an important part of the worship of the early church, and understandably so, when one considers the importance of the word.
  2. It: is the source of faith (Romans 10:17); power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16); sanctifies (John 17:17), perfects and throughly furnishes (II Timothy 3:16-17), etc.

III. We should enjoy worshipping Him in this way, but for the right reasons.

Regretably many people only enjoy worship if it is entertaining.
1. That is why many people worhip the way they do.
  1. Drama, as a part of worship, is very popular with many people today.
  2. Some religious groups put on pretty big productions, and no doubt it is entertaining.
  3. It makes one wonder if the popularity of drama in religion is connected with the popularity of television.
  4. If so, how long will it be before they get into "Reality Religion." Or, have they already?
2. A lot of people want the preacher to be an entertainer.
  1. And, preachers who are: good story tellers, funny, or use beautiful poetry in their sermons, are usually popular.
  2. A preacher needs to be a good speaker, but the audience also needs to be good listeners.
  3. The responsibility of the preacher is not to entertain, but to:
3. Some religious groups even bring in professional singing groups to entertain the congregation.
  1. It may appeal to the masses, but it does not appeal to God.
  2. We need to remember why we are worshipping.
What is the point of our worshipping?
1. To show reverance to God - John 4:24.
  1. "They that worship Him." = Offered to God!
  2. Worship ( from the Greek word proskeneo) to kiss the hand toward, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence.
  3. An intentional act of reverence paid.
  4. In spirit = heart and mind.
  5. Truth = according to His word.
2. There are benefits in it for us as well.
  1. We are able to come before Him, and express our reverence to Him, and we should be glad to do so- Psalm 122:1.
  2. Partaking of the Lord's Supper should remind us of the love of The Father, and The Son.
  3. Singing can be uplifting, but it also instructs.
  4. Giving is an opportunity to give back part of that which God has blessed us with, and a way to help in carrying out the work God has given us to do.
  5. Prayer enables us to give thanks, and to petition the Almighty God.
  6. Preaching instructs, exhorts, corrects, and motivates.

IV Conclusion:

Diversity may be a good thing when it comes to....
1. Food.
2. Clothing.
3. Cars.
But, when it comes to worship...
1. Not everything done in the name of worship is acceptable to God.
2. We need to worship God as He wants to be worshipped.
3. We need to worship for the right reasons.