Reverence In Worship John 4:1-26
Reverence Not much today Proudly mock God (Psalm 73:6, 11) Left out of plans (James 4:13-17)
Reverence Fear and awe (Hebrews 12:28) Obedience (Genesis 3) Preciseness (Leviticus 10:1, 2) Exclusiveness (2 Samuel 6:7) Totally devoted (Matthew 22:37)
Acceptable Worship Clean vs. Unclean (Leviticus 22:5-22) “Shut the door” (Malachi 1:10) Acceptable sacrifice (Romans 12:1, 2) “In spirit and truth” (John 4:24) Doesn’t need us (Acts 7:48-50)
Private Worship Outside of our assemblies –Not a “church building religion” –Privately (Matthew 8:2; John 9:38)
Private Worship Lord’s instruction (Matthew 6) –Directed to God, not men (vv. 1-6, 16-18) –From the heart (vv. 7, 8) –Acknowledge God’s greatness (v. 9) –God’s purpose first (vv. 10, 11) –Confess sin and need for help (vv. 12, 13)
Private Worship Practical application –Pray alone –Read Bible (Acts 8:28) –Meditate (1 Timothy 4:15)
Assembled Worship Purpose and motive (Psalms) –Desire to worship (42:1-4) –Be calmed (42:8) –Find meaning to life (100:1-5) –Glad to be present (122:1)
Assembled Worship Early church –Regularly (Acts 2:42; 11:26) –First day (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) –Edified by singing (Ephesians 5:19)
Assembled Worship Guidelines (2 Corinthians 11, 14) –Spirit of unity and concern (11:17-22) –Understanding the purpose (11:23-29) –Intelligible (14:1-25) –Decently and in order (14:26-40)
Assembled Worship Hindered by sin –Guilty (Isaiah 59:1, 2; 1 Peter 3:12) –Not forgiving others (Matthew 5:23, 24; 6:14, 15) –Perversion of worship
Assembled Worship Lack of concentration –Arrive late –Pass notes, talk, daydream, play, play with babies, check , etc. (Genesis 41:14; Psalm 96:9) –Actively participate by singing, praying along, preparing for class, etc.?
Conclusion Picture the throne scene (Revelation 4, 5) Will you be there?