Matthew 15:1-3 “Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 ‘Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.’ 3 He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?’”

Matthew 15:4-6 “For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God’— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”

Matthew 15:7-8 “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.’”

Matthew 15:9 “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Worship of God

Characteristics of worship to God We come near to God We regard God as holy We glorify God We are true worshipers We worship in spirit and truth We recognize that God is Spirit

Characteristics of vain worship We remain far from God We do not regard God as holy We glorify man/ourselves We do not demonstrate true worship We do not worship in spirit and truth We do not recognize that God is Spirit

3 Ways The Lord Says Our Worship Is Vain 1)When we don’t love God 2)When we substitute the commandments of man for God’s commands 3)When we compromise the truth

Our worship is vain…

When we don’t love God! Romans 12:1 – “ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ” Is giving 1-3 hours a week loving God? Is that sacrificing anything?

Our worship is vain… When we don’t love God! 1 Chronicles 28:9 – “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”

Our worship is vain… When we substitute the commandments of man for God’s commands Matthew 15:9 – “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” What does it mean to teach the commandments of men? It means we don’t love God enough to respect His will!

Our worship is vain… When we substitute the commandments of man for God’s commands Matthew 15:9 – “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” What does it mean to teach the commandments of men? It means we think more of ourselves than we ought to think!

The Commandments of God 1 Corinthians 14:37 – “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” Verse 36 – “ Verse 36 – “Or did the word of God come originally from you?

Our worship is vain… When we substitute the commandments of man for God’s commands Man’s creeds are not necessarily those given by the authority of God! When we devise alterations to the Lord’s body based on our “preferences,” we are short- changing ourselves and disobeying God!

“That the book called the Bible is given by the inspiration of God, and is the only rule of Christian faith and practice. The consequence is, that we have no creeds, nor catechisms, nor decretals, which bind us by their authority. We think a creed worth nothing, unless it is supported by Scriptural authority” -Thomas Armitage, “Baptist Faith and Practice” in C. A. Jenkyns, Ed., Baptist Doctrines (Chancy R. Barns: St. Louis, 1882), p. 34.

“In some groups, statements of belief have the same authority as Scripture. We call this creedalism. Baptists also make statements of belief, but all of them are revisable in light of Scripture. The Bible is the final word. Because of this distinction, we are generally more comfortable with the word "confession." Still, we are "creedal" in the sense that we believe certain things, express those beliefs and order our institutions accordingly. There have always been Baptist limits. And within these limits, there have always been Baptist preferences.” -Reprinted from SBC.net, the official website of the Southern Baptist Convention

Our worship is vain…

2 Timothy 3:5-8

Our worship is vain…

James 5:19

3 Ways The Lord Says Our Worship Is Vain 1)When we don’t love God 2)When we substitute the commandments of man for God’s commands 3)When we compromise the truth