Week 2 – Biblical Worship Day 1

bÇ àÉ uÜÉtwxÜ y|xÄwá Éy {ÉÄç ä|á|ÉÇN bÇ àÉ ÄÉyà|xÜ {x|z{àá Éy yt|à{ tÇw ÄÉäxN bÇãtÜw? âÑãtÜw? tÑÑÜx{xÇw|Çz ã{ÉÄÄç? TÄÄ yÉÜ ã{|v{ [x vtÄÄá à{xx yÜÉÅ tuÉäxA Last week we begin to talk about Biblical worship. As Christians we should bow in respect and honor before the Lord reverently worshipping Him as the one true God. This attitude should pervade every aspect of our being and our lives. True worship has been described as man’s recognizing his insignificance (Matthew 5:3) and turning his thoughts in love, reverence, adoration, and obedience to the almighty God. Worship does not require a church building, a preacher, or soft organ music. All too often worship does not take place even with all these helps. Worship takes place when you seek to know and obey God. The idea is that we are to humbly and completely give ourselves to God. This is the idea of worship. Worship is giving. It is our giving or offering the honor that the Lord deserves. This is the only reasonable response to Him. If we are failing to do this with our lives, then we are failing to do what God created us for. To glorify and worship Him. As we continue our study of worship we need to keep several things uppermost in our thinking. -

Worship is giving not receiving. Worship must be offered on the basis God desires, not our making of it. Worship is to be based on truth. Worship is to be a priority.

This week we are going to look at this second characteristic of Biblical worship. If our worship is to be acceptable to Holy God, then it must come from a heart devoted to Him, and right with Him. It also must be offered in the manner which He desires, and outlines in His Word. According to Deuteronomy 6:5, what did the Lord command Israel? ________________ _______________________________________________________________________

1

Describe according to Deuteronomy 6:6-8, what He further commanded them? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

What about in Deuteronomy 6:16-18? _________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Lord gave Israel specific instructions about the Tabernacle. This was a place where He would meet with them, and they could offer their worship. But their worship was not confined to the occasions when they would offer worship through sacrifice in the Tabernacle. The Lord commanded Israel to commit and offer themselves to Him as a lifestyle. They were to be “living sacrifices” wholly committed to their Lord, and this was to be evident in every facet of their lives. Their worship would culminate when they came together and offered worship at the Tabernacle, but they were expected to live obedient and consecrated lives as part of that worship. Otherwise, their sacrifices would be unacceptable. According to Deuteronomy 7:6, what did the Lord say about Israel? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The people had been set apart for the Lord. He had chosen them as a precious treasure for Himself. He loved them so much, and they were set aside for worship of Him, and Him alone. According to Deuteronomy 7:2-5, what did the Lord specifically tell them regarding the land they were going to enter? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ This may sound harsh, but the Canaanites were a base and cruel people. They were known for their wicked idolatrous practices and ritual. The Lord would not allow His people to dwell among them. Not only were the people to be utterly destroyed, but the things which were associated with their “religious” practices were to be destroyed also. Why do you think the Lord specifically spoke to this issue? _______________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Lord would not allow His people to participate in or utilize any of the vestiges of the idol worship which were a part of this land. He did not even want them to be tempted by leaving any of these items behind. This was a very serious issue to the Lord.

2

He would not have His people in any way associated with the wicked idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. According to Deuteronomy 20:18, what again does the Lord say regarding the Canaanites influence or idolatry? ______________________________________________________________________ Our worship of the true God is to be offered to Him and Him alone. It is to be based on the truth of His Character, and it is to be consistent with His Holy nature. We cannot mix worldly influences or practices in with our worship, and it be acceptable to a Holy God. Our worship is to be unique to Him, and it is to be offered in the manner which He finds acceptable to Him. According to Deuteronomy 6:4, what did the Lord declare about Himself? ___________ _______________________________________________________________________ According to Commentary on this, it could also be translated “the Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” The people of Israel were monotheists. They were ruled by one God. The true God. The Canaanites had many “gods”. When we seek to worship God, we cannot lump Him in with other “gods” in our lives. If we are to worship, our worship is to be for Him and Him alone. The Canaanites were vile idolaters. Certainly one would not think there was any danger that the Israelites who had personally witnessed the awesome power of Almighty God would be in any danger of being led aside into idolatry and the worshipping of their gods. Yet, that was a very subtle danger that plagued Israel, and ultimately destroyed them. They did allow themselves to succumb to the idolatrous culture around them to influence their worship. This was completely unacceptable to God, and the cost of their disobedience was terrible. This same danger exists in the church today. It is very real, and very present. The Lord desires that our worship be something unique and precious to Him. He is a “jealous” God, and He will not allow any other gods to share His glory. We cannot worship Him in the world’s way, or alongside the “idols” of our culture and He find it acceptable. We also can’t “live like the world” all week, with little or no time for the Lord, and then come in on Sunday desiring to worship. As we close today, let us do so by humbly asking God to illuminate our hearts, and reveal to us any area where we are allowing compromise or worldly influence to pervade our worship. Perhaps, we need to honestly look at our priorities and see if anything in the world is taking priority in our lives over our Lord. Let us earnestly and honestly search our hearts, and confess to Him any area He might reveal to us. There is nothing more precious to our Lord, than true worship from hearts humbled and devoted to Him.

3

There is also nothing more fulfilling for the child of God to be rightly related to Him and fulfilling this holy calling. Let us not ever allow the world to defile our hearts, or minds by tainting our worship of the one true God. Please read Psalm 147. Is there something which the Lord specifically revealed to you today through the study of His Word? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Personal prayer requests. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

4

Day 2 We talked last week about the golden calf that Aaron and the children of Israel fashioned while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. They took a pagan worship habit, the fashioning of idols, and made a golden calf, and worshipped it as the Lord. According to Exodus 32:19-20, what did Moses do when he returned and found them participating in this idolatry? _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Summarize what happened to the people according to verses 25-28. ________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ First, he threw down the clay tablets containing the ten commandments, and broke them. This vividly symbolized their breaking of God’s commandments. Then, Moses separated those who desired to persist in idolatry from those who would turn from it. Those who chose idolatry and wickedness were killed. According to Exodus 33:3, what terrible consequence fell upon the children of Israel? ________________________________________________________________________ They would still be allowed to enter the Promised Land. But because of their disobedience, the Lord indicated that His presence would not be with them on their journey. Their sin had caused them to forfeit this blessing. According to verse 33:7, what became the “tabernacle of meeting”? _________________ Where was it located according to verses 7-8? __________________________________ According to these verses, while the Lord met with Moses , the people had to stand and watch from afar. How they must have regretted their disobedience as they watched Moses go into the tent, and saw the pillar of cloud descend upon the tent or tabernacle (the tent temporarily stood in place of the tabernacle because it had not yet been built). How did the people respond as they observed the evidence of the Lord’s presence at the door of the tabernacle according to Ex. 33:10? ________________________________ They must have been deeply humbled by their error. Even, from a distance, they still could only respond to the Lord with worship. How sad that while Moses was able to commune closely with the Lord, they had to watch from afar perhaps understanding that because of their sin, the Lord’s presence had been removed from them. What does the Word say according to verse 11 about the “way” the Lord spoke to Moses? _______________________________________________________________________

5

Oh, how our disobedience can cost us! One would wonder how many once enjoyed the glorious blessing and presence of God on their lives, and now stand afar because they refuse to humble themselves before Him, or turn back to Him from their sin. As they watch others who are walking closely with their Lord, or come to the Lord’s house and see the joy which obedient believers express as they earnestly worship their Lord, how their hearts must break. According to 1 Peter 5:10, how does Peter refer to our Lord? ______________________ Aren’t you thankful this is the God we serve? That we can bow before the “God of all grace”, and even though we fail Him, that He is always ready to take us back, and forgive our sins when we ask Him. That it is His desire that we humbly worship before Him, and commune with Him “Face to face”. According to Moses’ intercessory prayer in verse 13 of Exodus 33, what did Moses ask, and on what basis? __________________________________________________________________ What was the Lord’s response according to verse 14, and verse 17? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Lord takes disobedience very seriously. In the case of the Israelites, their idolatrous worship was an extreme form of disobedience. The Lord in His graciousness, and in response to Moses’ humble intercession, responded to Moses’ request. According to Exodus 34:1, what did the Lord tell Moses He was going to do? ________________________________________________________________________ According to Exodus 34:8, what was Moses posture and what did he do? _____________ ________________________________________________________________________ According to Exodus 34:9, what did Moses request? _____________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ According to Exodus 34:10, what did the Lord say He would do? ___________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Sometimes, it might be that if we are leading obedient and worshipful lives, the Lord might impress upon us to be the intercessor for someone who is disobedient or out of fellowship with the Lord. If we are leading the kind of life that the Lord desires, and we are faithful worshipping Him through our lives, then we will be sensitive to these areas of need that the Lord places around us.

6

Again, though, summarize the stern warning that He gave the children of Israel according to Exodus 34:12-17.

As we close today, take a minute and reflect back over the things we have studied today. Note significant points regarding worship which we have seen in the Scriptures we have looked at. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ We have seen a contrast in worship today. We have looked at the acceptable worship of Moses, and the unacceptable worship of the people. The acceptability of the worship dictated who had intimacy with the Lord, and who did not. While we read in Scripture that the Lord, met with Moses “face to face”, and communed with Him allowing Moses to experience His presence, the people suffered because of their unacceptable attempts at worship. Thankfully, when we approach the Lord in worship, we do so on the basis of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are accepted on that basis. But the level of intimacy we have with the Father, and the acceptability of our worship are directly related to our hearts, and our efforts. While positionally we are accepted by Him through grace, if we are to worship Him as He intended, it can only be achieved when we seek Him with “all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul”. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13) Let us close as we read Psalm 138. Is there something which the Lord specifically revealed to you today through the study of His Word? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Personal prayer requests. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

7

Day 3 As we looked at yesterday, the Lord does not accept our worship when we offer it in a manner of our own choosing and discretion, but we must offer it in the manner that the Lord desires and is pleased with. It is not left up to us, to decide the appropriate manner to worship, but we are to look to our Lord, and to His Word to learn what is acceptable to Him. We will continue today to look at unacceptable worship. According to 2 Samuel 6:1-7, briefly describe what took place. ____________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ These men had disregarded the specific instructions the Lord had given for transporting and carrying the ark. By doing so they also indicated a lack of regard for the holiness of God. The Lord had clearly defined the guidelines for the ark. According to Numbers 3:31, what was the function of the sons of Kohath in regard to the Tabernacle? _____________________________________________________________ It is reasonable to assume based on the lineage described in Numbers 3, that Uzzah and Ahio both were Kohathites. They had been taught all their lives the clear and specific instructions for transporting the ark. According to Numbers 4:15, what were the sons of Kohath specifically told in regard to the Tabernacle? ________________________________________________________________________ According to Exodus 25:13-15, what was to be constructed and used for the ark of the Covenant? ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ According to 2 Samuel 6:3, what was the first violation of the guidelines for transporting the ark? ________________________________________________________________ What presumptuous and dishonoring action did Uzzah take which caused the wrath of God? __________________________________________________________________ By disobeying these guidelines, they were adopting a casualness with the handling of one of the most significant and consecrated articles of the temple. The Commentary states that the Lord’s swift judgment was meant to preserve the sense of God’s holiness and to be a reminder of the sinfulness of drawing near to Him without the proper preparation or reverence. The ark was a sacred and holy article. By their irreverent approach to the transport of it, they indicated an irreverent and dishonorable attitude toward the Lord God. They also exhibited a complete disregard for His commands and instruction.

8

According to Leviticus 10:1-2, describe what happens in these verses. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ What did Moses explain to Aaron according to verse 3? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ We looked at this Scripture last week. But let’s refresh our memories. Read over what the Lord said about the incense, according to Exodus 30:37-38. This incense was something that was only to be offered to Jehovah. But not only that. It was only to be offered in a consecrated and holy manner. They were not to approach the Lord lightly, or in an unclean manner. They had just observed in the previous chapter the Lord’s acceptance of offerings in worship when offered in the right way. Yet, they presumed on the Lord God, and somehow, irreverently and carelessly attempted to perform this function before God. We do not know exactly what they did, but it was something very offensive to the holiness of Almighty God. They were consumed by the fire of His holiness because of their disobedience. According to Leviticus 10:8-10, what does the Lord say specifically to Aaron regarding worship or service in the “Tabernacle of meeting”? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ When we approach the Father in worship, we must never do so in an unholy or unclean manner. Nadab and Abihu recklessly, and arrogantly approached the Holy and Righteous One with little regard for His Holiness. These verses suggest they may have even done so in drunkenness. While our lack of regard for God’s holiness might not be so brazen, or obvious, we must ask ourselves, if we are guilty at times of this same attitude. They had just seen the powerful evidence of God’s magnificent glory. Yet, apparently this wonderful display of God’s majesty did not penetrate their hearts.

The Lord is Holy. It is inexcusable to approach Him being unmindful of this. This is a serious issue, and not to be taken lightly. According to Leviticus 9:24, how did the people respond to the evidence of the Lord’s glorious acceptance of their worship? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

9

They were completely humbled. They were also overjoyed because the mighty Deliverer and Holy One of Israel, had condescended into their midst and had found their offerings worthy. He had graced them with His Magnificent presence because He found their worship acceptable. This is the right attitude in worship. Not one of presumption. One of humility and reverence for the Lord we serve. When we approach Him in this way, and He finds our worship acceptable, we should experience enormous gratitude. If we have a proper understanding of our Lord, we will have this gratitude. Our prayer should be similar to the Psalmist, But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves. The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live. For the Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners. (Psalm 69:29-33) According to 1 Samuel 13:9-13, how did King Saul offer unacceptable worship to the Lord? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ According to verse 14, what pronouncement did the prophet Samuel make against Saul? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Saul presumed on the Lord by deciding to do things his way. It was his desire that he be all powerful, and in his zeal for it, he wickedly compromised his obedience. Samuel had clearly told Saul (10:8) to wait for him. Saul ignored what the man of God told him, and attempted to do things in his way. This was not acceptable to the Lord, and Saul’s presumption cost him the kingship of Israel. It eventually cost him everything. The Lord gave Saul another opportunity to obey, according to 1 Samuel 15:17-19, what did Saul do? ________________________________________________________________________ Very interestingly, Samuel gave Saul an important clue regarding a characteristic that is very significant in acceptable worship, had Saul had ears to listen. What was it? (verse 17a)____________________________________________________________________

10

What view had he previously had of himself according to 1 Samuel 9:21? ____________ ________________________________________________________________________ Summarize Saul’s response to the second opportunity for obedience described in 1 Samuel 15:20-21. _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ According to 1 Samuel 15:22-23, what did the prophet declare to Saul? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Commentary on this is very interesting and it very clearly expresses the heart of worship as outlined by our Lord. (MacArthur Study Bible) Verses 22-23 - to obey is better than sacrifice. This is an essential Old Testament truth. Samuel stated that God desires heart obedience over the ritual sacrifice of animals. The sacrificial system was never intended to function in place of living an obedient life, but was rather to be an expression of it. Rebellion. . . .stubbornness. Saul needed to see that his real worship was indicated by his behavior and not by his sacrifices. He demonstrated himself to be an idolater whose idol was himself. He had failed the condition which could have brought blessing on the nation. His disobedience here was on the same level as witchcraft and idolatry, sins worthy of death. Saul clearly did not possess a humble spirit before the Lord God, and he instead chose to exalt himself. What does Scripture say about this type of attitude according to 1 Peter 5:5-6? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ If our worship is to be acceptable to God, it cannot be arrogantly self-styled, and it also cannot be an empty ritual. Rather our worship must be the expression or overflow of an obedient and humbly submissive life. Otherwise, it is unacceptable to our Lord. He desires humility and obedience, otherwise our sacrifices of praise are empty before Him, even worthless.

Our true worship of our King will first be expressed in the obedience exemplified in the way we lead our lives. The Lord does not expect perfection in order for our worship to be acceptable, but He does expect something else.

11

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart – These, O God, You will not despise. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar. (Psalm 51:15-17, 19) Is there something which the Lord specifically revealed to you today through the study of His Word? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Personal prayer requests. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

12

Day 4 According to Matthew 15:8-9, what was the basic problem that the Lord had with the Pharisees according to these verses? _______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ How did He refer to them according to verse 7? _____________________________ According to Malachi 1:6-9, summarize the sad commentary that Lord Himself gives of the priests, the spiritual leaders of Israel. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ According to verse 10, define the extent of the contempt which the Lord viewed their behavior. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ He desired that they close the doors to the temple, rather than continue the insincere, and insignificant sacrifices. He stated that it would be better to discontinue them rather than continue in this manner. What does the Lord state about Israel according to Isaiah 1:11-12? _________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ According to Isaiah 1:10, to whom are these people compared to? __________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ These people wickedly wanted to come to God, offering their sacrifice and worship, yet living wicked disobedient lives at the same time. According to Isaiah 65:5, what does the Lord say to this type of behavior? ____________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Lord describes their meaningless sacrifices as an “irritation to His nostrils”. Have you ever gotten too close to a fire, and had the smoke blow in your face? Describe it. ________________________________________________________________________ It is completely stifling. It is almost impossible to breathe, and the smoke stings your eyes. There are few things more uncomfortable. It is suffocating.

13

To this, the Lord compares these empty sacrifices. How sad that this is what their worship had become! Isn’t it interesting that we have talked about the pleasing aroma of the incense which was to be burned continually before the Lord in the Tabernacle. It was to be a pleasant scent to the Lord, offered uniquely to Him. As the smoke wafted up to the ceiling, it was representative of the cries of the people to their God. This was supposed to be a pleasing act of worship which would be “a sweet aroma” to the nostrils of the Lord. It must have grieved the heart of God to see the lack of regard for Him that they demonstrated through their defiled worship When worship is offered in the wrong attitude with disregard for the perfect and holy character of God, it is completely offensive to the Lord, no matter what it is we offer. We cannot compromise with the Lord. It is an affront to His holiness. If there is anything that characterizes our society today, it would have to be these type of attitudes that mirror those of ancient Israel. A prevailing attitude that somehow we can live and do what ever we want, whatever is right in our own eyes, and then come on Sunday to worship. People claiming to worship that do not even know Him. Worshippers coming to houses of worship of every variety, and offering tainted worship. How dare we! We serve a Holy and Righteous God. He is loving and merciful, but He is above all else, Holy. The futility of this type of worship is evident when we look at the sad condition of our society. We commemorated and memorialized a national tragedy this past week. September 11 marked a terrible act of terrorism on this nation, and it also marked what looked to many to be a stirring of God, and revival across the nation. Yet, I saw a survey from Foxnews Channel the other day, and it said that church attendance had returned to the level which it was at just prior to the tragedy. Very little has changed in America, even though shortly after September 11, crowds in record numbers were seeking the asylum of churches, and many appeared to be seeking God in prayer and worship. This is an example, a real life example of what we have been talking about. People who need God, and want Him. But they want Him on their terms, when they want or need Him, and they want Him on whatever basis they choose. They want to turn to Him when there is a need in their life without any real desire to have Him rule their hearts the rest of the time. This does not speak of the God of the Bible. And it does not speak of the true worship of the Bible. Let’s read Amos 4:4-5. On the surface, can you find anything wrong with what they were doing, or the way they were worshipping.

14

Let us look at another verse that is a little more enlightening. According to Amos 5:2526, what had Israel done? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ They paid homage to the true God, but they also worshipped other gods as well. In the earlier verses, Israel was “faithfully” continuing to sacrifice and offer their worship, even doing above and beyond what was required. But it was empty, and meaningful ritual. They were paying honor with their lips, but their lives were filled with wickedness and debauchery. If we are to come to God to worship, we must do so in the right way, in the right manner and with the right attitude. Thankfully, we serve a gracious and merciful God. But His mercy is a righteous and holy mercy. Let us rejoice as we meditate on His Word. And also let us pray for our nation. Certainly, there are so many who need to truly know the true God. Not just to handle times of tragedy, but to meet eternity. They need to know Him through His Son Jesus. This is the only way which He will find acceptable. Nothing added, and nothing taken away. Let us pray that God will truly move in hearts across this land, and turn them back to Himself. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20) Is there something which the Lord specifically revealed to you today through the study of His Word? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Personal prayer requests. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

15

Day 5 We have looked this week a good deal at unacceptable worship. This was the grievous sin of Israel. Their sin went in direct opposition to the purpose for their calling. The Lord God called Israel out as a nation, for one express purpose – they were called to Worship! The reason for the Tabernacle, the Temple and the priesthood was to cause the people to focus on worship. Through their worship Yahweh, Jehovah would be glorified. Through their worshipful lifestyles, through their carefully prescribed acts of worship, through their humility and reverence for Yahweh, through their God-centered existence, then the rest of the world would be drawn to Him. According to Exodus 14:28-31, briefly describe what took place. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ What do the people immediately do after their deliverance, according to Exodus 15:1-18? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Old Testament picture of redemption was deliverance from Egypt. The response to that redemption was – worship and rejoicing. According to Isaiah 60:21, what did the Lord declare to Israel? _____________________ ________________________________________________________________________ What does Isaiah 63:12-14, describe as the ultimate purpose in Israel’s redemption? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ While redemption is certainly to the benefit and blessing of the redeemed, we must never forget that the purpose of redemption is to glorify the Redeemer. The nation of Israel was chose for this express purpose. We were chosen for this purpose. Israel’s redemption as well as our own was the purpose that our Lord be glorified. God’s plan from the very beginning was that worship so characterize the lives of the Israelites that the rest of the world would be drawn to Him. Their entire lives were meant to center around Him. If they simply followed the Lord’s instructions, and obediently worshipped Him, and Him alone, then the ungodly would be affected by their worship. According to Ephesians 1:3-7, summarize what Paul said about our redemption, and what should be the result of it? ___________________________________________________

16

What does Peter state according to 1 Peter 2:12? ________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ What did Paul state should be the outcome of the life of a believer according to Philippians 1:9-11? _______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ As children of God, while belonging to Him involves immeasurable blessing, the goal of our lives is to bring glory to Him. This is the purpose in our worship. When we lead worshipful, obedient lives then He is glorified. Perhaps, the reason more people are not drawn to Christ, do not come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior is because they do not see Him being worshipped in the lives of believers. According to John 4:23, who did Christ say would worship the Father? _______________________________________________________________________ Who was He speaking of? _________________________________________________ According to Acts 24:14, how did Paul explain or define His relationship with God? _______________________________________________________________________ Interestingly, it seems that when people today speak of their relationship with Christ or describe it, we seldom hear it described in these words. We may say we believe or we follow or we are committed to Christ, but very rarely do we hear people say, “yes, I am a believer, I WORSHIP Christ Jesus. One has to wonder what kind of impact our lives would have if this defined or completely characterized our relationship with Him. This was the purpose for which we were saved. To worship and glorify Him. According to Hebrews 12:28, what does the writer say we should do as Christians and why? __________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ The Greek word which is used here is latreuo. It is translated “worship”. Again, because of the unspeakable grace offered to us, because of the “unshakable” kingdom to which we have become a part, we are to worship. As we close today, listen to the following story. Booth Tucker was conducting evangelistic meetings in the great Salvation army Citadel in Chicago. One night, after he had preached on the sympathy of Jesus, a man came forward and asked Mr. Tucker how he could talk about a loving, understanding, sympathetic God. “If your wife had just died, like mine has,” the man said, “and your babies were crying for their mother who would never come back, you wouldn’t be saying what you’re saying.”

17

A few days later Mr. Tucker’s wife was killed in a train wreck. Her body was brought to Chicago and carried to the Citadel for the funeral. After the service the bereaved preacher looked down into the silent face of his wife and then turned to those who were attending. “The other day when I was here,” he said, “a man told me that, if my wife had just died and my children were crying for their mother, I would not be able to say that Christ was understanding and sympathetic, or that He was sufficient for every need. If that man is here, I want to tell him that Christ is sufficient. My heart is broken, it is crushed but it has a song, and Christ put it there. I want to tell that man that Jesus Christ speaks comfort to me today.” The man was there, and he came and knelt beside the casket while Booth Tucker introduced him to Jesus Christ. When we truly worship and honor God with our love and worship for Him, then people will be drawn to Him through our lives. It will not be the things we say, it will not be through even the service we devote to Him. It will be the way that we worship Him, even as we struggle, and go through the trials and hardships of this life. Imagine the impact our lives and our church would have on those around us, if we truly led lives that worshipped our King. That is what people will be drawn to. It will be the worship we offer, despite the struggles, despite the difficulties, the worship we offer Him with lives that say He is worthy. Let us close with Psalm 24, and as we meditate of these words, let us offer our humble and earnest praise to the Eternal and Holy King of Glory.

Is there something which the Lord specifically revealed to you today through the study of His Word? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Personal prayer requests.

18