WORSHIP
Introduction:
  1. Ps. 122:1-2 -- Joy of expressing our feelings before our God.
  2. Worship: Let's define the word:
     (1) Found in Bible 191 times -- 113 in O.T.; 78 in N.T.
     (2) In O.T. always used to express the reverence and adoration
         which are due to the Supreme Ruler of the universe,
         whether to Jehovah, or wickedly given to heathen idols.
     (3) In N.T., translated from several Greek words, mostly from
         Proskuneo (60) which means "to do reverence or homage to a
         superior; with reference to Deity, to pay divine honors,
         to worship, to adore. Always the idea of bowing down,
         kneeling, prostration." (Robinson N.T.Greek Lexicon).
     (4) Jesus affirms -- John 4:23,24.
     (5) 2 Chron. 7:3 -- After Solomon's prayer at the dedication
         of the Temple and Jehovah's glory filled the Temple.
     (6) 1 Cor. 14:24,25 --

I. BAD BEINGS, whether human or superhuman, desire and freely
   accept worship and adoration.  Man in the lust for fame, power
   and greatness, delight in having their fellows reverence and
   serve them, even allowing men to bow before them. Alexander the
   great, Herod (Acts 12:20-23); Roman Emperiors; Deut 32:15-17;
   Ps. 106:35-38; 1 Cor 10:18-20; Mt. 4:9

II. GOOD MEN refuse to accept worship (Also angels)
     1. Acts 10:25 -- Peter, "Stand up....
     2. Acts 14:11-18 --Paul and Barnabas.
     3. Rev 19:10; 22:8-9

III. GOD ONLY should be worshipped:
     1. Ex. 34:11-14 --In the covenant made at Mt. Sinai
     2. Mt. 4:10 -- Satan desired worship from Jesus
     3. John 4:23-24 -- In spirit and in Truth

IV. IN SPIRIT: John 4:24.  The proper attutude must be present in
    our worship. We must worship the right object, Jehovah, true
    enough.  But, our heart, mind, our very soul, must be involved.
      Let us examine some attitudes that must be present:

     1. Submission to God's Will: Acts 10:33-35; Mt. 7:21
         Noah-- Gen. 6:22; Abraham -- Gen. 12:1; Christ - Heb. 5:8

     2. Forgiveness:  Christ - Lk. 23:34; Stephen - Acts 7:60.
        If a man does not forgive, he crumbles the bridge over
           which he must pass.  Mt. 6:14-15

     3. Sacrifice: Rom. 12:1-2  NOTE: "Renewing of your mind."
        Where better than in our worship, can we have our battery
        charged, or spirit lifted, our souls refreshed.  Service
        acceptable before our God.
          God has always DEMANDED a sacrifice.  THE BEST MAN HAS.
          And yet, how often we allow trivialities to keep us away,
        other "things"  to crowd our lives, to distract us.
          Worship should NOT be a drag, a weariness- Mal. 1:13
        BUT, A JOYOUS OCCASION.

     4. Joyful attitude;
        Our soul should swell over with the realization that the
          Creator of this universe will allow me in all of my
          mistakes to come before Him, uninhabited by sin,
          cleansed, made new -- to worship. It is a joy unspeakable
        Lk. 10:20 -- our names written in heaven--Heaven recognizes

     5. Attitude of humility:
        Christ set the example -- Jn 13:14; Mt. 18:4.
        A humble person does not insert his own desires and
           feelings; yea, rather, submits to the Father's will.
        My intelligence, my will, cannot serve as the standard or
           guide in what I do in worship.
        Prov. 16:18 - "Pride goeth before destruction..."

V. IN TRUTH -- John 4:24  Not only must the worship be sincere, in
            spirit, with the proper attitudes, BUT, it must also be
            in TRUTH.  God's Word does describe worship that is not
            acceptable, worship that is condemned.

     1. Col. 2:20-23 -- Will worship.
           Worship which man devises for himself, His own feelings.
           Man has never been able to know what is pleasing to God,
              unless Jehovah tells him.
           Thus, in truth -- as truth teaches -- John 17:17.

     2. Acts 17:28 -- Ignorant worship -- The unknown God
          When man worships in ignorance, is there any excuse? NO!!
             God has made His Will available to all.

     3. Mt. 15:9 -- Vain worship.
          Empty, useless, profitless.
          Human traditions make worship vain.

     4. John 4:24 -- approved worship -- that directed by God's
             revealed truth.
        In our lessons for the next 5 weeks, we will deal with the
            various avenues of worship.  Paths leading to God.
        We will be discussing the worship that pleases Jehovah.

Conclusion:
     1. Ps. 122:1 -
     2. God's children worship Him. Those who are His family.
     3. You must be a child of God to come into His presence in
        worship and adoration.
     4. Surely, each in our audience has a desire to please
        Jehovah.
     5. Your very presence is indicative of this desire.
     6. But, you must also realize that you MUST be acceptable to
        Him by an obedient life, having been born into His family.

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