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Genesis 4:1-5 – Worshiping God on His Terms – Part 3
Last week we looked at worship that was not acceptable to God. So, what is acceptable worship? What pleases Him? What is worship on HIS TERMS?
John 4:19-26 has the answer: “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
True and acceptable worship is to render to God respectful spiritual service. This is the definition of “reverence.” Reverence is to be the main characteristic of our worship. The two characteristics given here by Christ let us know that worship is not about “when” or “where,” but it is all about “HOW.”
It’s not a building or location, event or time of the day or week that qualifies our worship as acceptable to God. It is how we worship. To worship God in Spirit is to worship from the heart, not just with outward form! It originates internally, not externally. If the heart is not prepared for worship, then no matter what we say or do to worship, God will reject what we offer.
This is even the one time the Lord gives us permission to skip Church! In Matt. 5, If we come to offer God a gift (worship) and there remember that we have something against our brother or sister in Christ, we are to leave and make things right before we come near to God!
In 1 Cor. 11:27-32 in reference to the Lord’s Supper, we are warned not to eat of the bread or drink from the cup unless we examine ourselves first, and that if we do this without discerning the body, we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves!
Our heart has to be ready to worship - we have to be prepared. We have to have our relationships in order and come with a clear conscience or our worship is not acceptable. To say it is from the heart means that it does not matter what we know or what we claim to believe that qualifies worship. It's how we EXPRESS our hearts in love and obedience to Christ!
I do know we are to express worship in Truth, and I know who the Truth is: Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and life...” If we worship the Truth and have a relationship with him, then it will flow out through the Spirit!! Do you know the TRUTH? Are we ready to start the new year learning what is acceptable to Jesus and do things on His terms rather than our own? Are we ready to give up OUR truth and follow THE Truth?
Jeremiah 33:3 says: “Call unto me and I WILL answer you and show you great and hidden things you have not known.” Call unto Him today!
Last Update: Apr 08, 2019 11:13 am CDT
