Worship 2 The Seriousness of Worship What

Worship (2) The Seriousness of Worship?

What is worship? • Προσκυνέω (proskuneo) “to make obeisance, do reverence toward” (Vine’s) • Σέβω (sebo), To express in gestures, rites and ceremonies one’s allegiance • εὐσέβεια, (eusebia)To demonstrate awesome respect toward God, piety, godliness • Λατρεύω (latreuo) primarily, a word that means to serve. Often associated with worship

Worship is: • Sacred - a holy act. • A way to draw near to God • A way to give back to God • Deliberate

Worship in Spirit and In Truth • John 4: 23 -24 • A text where Jesus explains what is involved in TRUE worship

Worship in Spirit and In Truth • John 4: 23 -24 • True worship includes a Subject to be worshipped • GOD is to be that subject • Idolatry is foolishness • Exodus 20: 2 -4 • Luke 4: 8

Worship in Spirit and In Truth • John 4: 23 -24 • True worship includes a worshipper • While nature declares His glory (Psa. 19: 1 -4 true worship ), involves one who deliberately prostrates before Him • John 4: 23

Worship in Spirit and In Truth • John 4: 23 -24 • True worship is in spirit • Involving a proper attitude • We must have a proper attitude! • Matt. 15: 8 -9 • 1 Cor. 11: 26 -29 • 2 Cor. 9: 7 • Col. 3: 16 • 1 Cor. 14: 15

Worship in Spirit and In Truth • John 4: 23 -24 • True worship is in truth • Action that follows what He wants. • Man today seeks to follow God with conditions or to please himself. • True worship respects God’s instructions • John 4: 19 -24

Worship in Spirit and In Truth • John 4: 23 -24 • True worship is in truth • Many examples of rejected religion in OT • Cain rejected – Gen. 4: 3 -5 • Nadab and Abihu rejected – Lev. 10: 1 -2 • Jeroboam rejected – 1 Kings 12: 25 -33 • Israel at Mt. Sinai rejected – Exodus 32 • Uzziah rejected (2 Chron. 26: 16 -23) • God wants what He prescribes!

Seriousness of Worship • We are worshipping the ONE True God • Exodus 20: 2 -3, Deut. 6: 13 -15, • Joel 2: 27 • He is our Creator Gen. 1: 1 Acts 17: 24 • 2 Pet. 3: 5 -7

Seriousness of Worship • He demands reverence • To show respect to a person on the basis of his high status. (L&N) • Profound respect and esteem mingled with fear and affection, as for a holy being or place (Webster)

Seriousness of Worship • He demands reverence • The fear of God • 2 Types of fear - Being afraid and being respectful • Luke 1: 50 • Acts 13: 16 • Our goal is to serve Him out of reverence, NOT because we are afraid of Him

Seriousness of Worship • He demands reverence • Psalm 89: 7 “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. ” • Psalm 111: 9“He has sent redemption , to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name. ”

Seriousness of Worship • He demands reverence • Hebrews 12: 28, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ” • Revelation 5: 9 -14

Seriousness of Worship • Reverence demonstrated • Gen. 17: 3, Abraham feel on his face • Ex. 3: 5 -6, Moses told to take off his shoes – Holy ground • Lev. 10: 3, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified. ”

Seriousness of Worship • Reverence demonstrated • Many bowed before Jesus realizing who He was • Matt. 21: 13, Jesus cast out money changers twice • Acts 5: 11

Seriousness of Worship • When we assemble to worship Him! • It is NOT a time to play, socialize, be entertained. IT is a serious occasion! • It is NOT a casual occasion! • Many positions of reverence in scripture – Luke 18: 13 , Neh. 8: 4 -6, 1 Tim. 2: 8, Luke 9: 16, etc.

Is your worship in Spirit and in Truth?