1. Worshiping by Faith Genesis 4:1-5 1.God “had respect to his offering.” 2.His example is cited in the New Testament for our imitation.

2. What Made Abel’s Worship Ideal? The fine building in which it occurred? The fine building in which it occurred? The large crowd that was present? The large crowd that was present? The thrill of the music? The thrill of the music? The skill of the worship leader? The skill of the worship leader? The emotional high that was attained? The emotional high that was attained? The fact that it lasted less than 1 hour? The fact that it lasted less than 1 hour?

3. Hebrews 11:4 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

4. Even the right things done without faith were condemned. Matthew 23:23 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Some seem to think that the only use of faith is to get us to do the right things.

5. How did Faith Affect Worship? By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. (text) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, (Gen. 4:4) “Offered to Invisible God” Acceptable Sacrifice (What God wanted) The best of what he had. He looked to God for his reward. Abel was a righteous man (1 John 3:12)

6. Offered to the invisible God Offered to the invisible God Doing what God wants Doing what God wants Giving one’s best Giving one’s best Seeking God’s reward Seeking God’s reward Righteous Life Righteous Life Worship by Faith Was Approved Otherwise it was Disapproved. Israel at Sinai (Exodus 32) Nadab & Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3) Jews (Mal. 1:11-14) Hypocrites (Matthew 6:1) Ungodly (Is. 1:10-15)

7. Worship Offered to Him alone Worship Offered to Him alone Action He has approved Action He has approved Our best Our best Worship for His approval Worship for His approval In spirit and truth In spirit and truth Today God Wants Worship by Faith When Faith Fails (Luke 22:32) People worship but not God People do what THEY want to do. Become casual More concerned for pleasing men Less Spiritual

8. We can only offer acceptable worship when we are right with God. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Hebrews 10:21-22 “having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.