HEAD 1 + Title: The Dangers of Worship
Text: Selected
Tracing: Preached January 12, 1992 AM at SDCC.
********************************************************************************
HEAD 1 + INTRO
Last week, after the morning service, someone commented that this was the
first time they had ever been through an in-depth study of worship. How many of
you can say the same? We tend to take worship for granted don't we? We use the
word but assume everyone understands it -- even if we are somewhat fuzzy about
it, everyone else probably understands it perfectly.
By and large, the modern church has neglected the subject of Worship. We
have been enabled to do that by the combination of a failure to understand its
meaning, a failure to recognize its importance, and a failure to remember its
dangers! Should we give proper attention to these things, we would be compelled
to take greater care with our worship!
To practice worship without an understanding of what the Bible teaches
about worship is a bit like wiring a house with the power on -- it may be
exciting but its not the brightest thing you'll ever do!
Consider with me today the awful risks and dangers of Worship!
De 8:19 "If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and
worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely
be destroyed."
De 13
The consequences of improper worship can be great -- People have been
stricken dead, nations have been conquered, kings have been deposed, and people
have been threatened with punishment in hell for errors in worship!
Fortunately, there are only five basic types of errors in Worship.
HEAD 1 + BODY
HEAD 2 + Worship of False gods
Ex 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me."
Ex 34:14 "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is
Jealous, is a jealous God."
To whom do you look for help? Who do you credit for your blessings?
From whom do you seek forgiveness? Who do you recognize as your superior and
authority? Friends, family, government, SELF??? Consider today's emphasis
on self-esteem and self-acceptance -- this is seeking forgiveness from
oneself!
HEAD 2 + Worship of the True God in a wrong form
Ex 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything
in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."
De 4:15-19, Isa 40:18-26
This may have been the sin at the base of Mt. Sinai -- Aaron might have
been attempting to represent the TRUE God whom they had seen perform many
miracles in the Exodus. But worshipping a REPRESENTATION (any
representation) of God is unacceptable! It limits the unlimited God.
Do you have a representation of God? Illus. Judge Thunder vs. Cosmic
Creampuff. Do you caricature God, ignore some of His attributes, or imagine
that you fully understand Him? Let Him be somewhat undefined -- don't be
afraid to say, "I don't know." Accept the possibility that He may work in
ways you have not anticipated!
Do Jews and Moslems worship the same God? No! Not the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Besides, forgiveness does not come from our worship but
from our participation in the death of Christ through a covenant relationship
with Him!
HEAD 2 + Worship in a Self-styled manner
Le 10:1 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in
them and added incense; and they offered unauthorised fire before the LORD,
contrary to his command.
I Sam 13:8-14 - Uzzah
Illus. former Stripper in a Mainline liberal church performing a
provocative dance as "worship".
HEAD 2 + Worship in an inconsistent life
Isa 1:10-18
Ho 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God
rather than burnt offerings.
Amos 5:21-24
Far more important than what we do in a "Worship Service" is how we live
our lives! If our profession through the last six days of the week
contradicts that of the first, our so-called "worship" on the first is
utterly without value!
HEAD 2 + Worship with a wrong attitude
Worship as "appeasement" or ritual. Isa 29:13 The Lord says: ``These
people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules
taught by men.
Giving less than our best. Mal. 1:6-10
Seeking self-gratification or approval from others -- "I just didn't get
anything out of the Worship Service!" Joh 5:44 How can you believe if you
accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that
comes from the only [One] God?
HEAD 1 + CONCLUSION
Worship Him. Worship ONLY Him. Worship Him by committing,
unconditionally, your life to Him.
Deut 30:15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and
destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in
his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and
increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to
possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you
are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you
this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the
land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 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.
Today, as then, we face a choice as to how we will worship. Choose rightly
-- to love the LORD and keep His commands -- and live. Choose wrongly and face
only destruction. Which will you choose?
HEAD 1 + COMMENTS
HEAD 1 +
Prepared by Scott L. Purcell
Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church
1501 Stokelan Drive
Malden, MO 63863
(314) 276-2343
Reproduce, modify, and use freely
for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!
If these outlines are of some benefit to you,
a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
These documents are free from BelieversCafe.com, the complete christian resource site with more than 5000 webpages.