Worship is the response of all that man is to all that God is and does. We are not to worship for what we can get out of it, but because God is worthy of it. The Bible brilliantly teaches us that God is to be the sole object of our worship (Matthew 4:8-10). Since God is to be the exclusive object of our worship, it follows then that we are not to worship
- The devil – angels – or any made up god (idol) in our mind that is different from Scripture
- Departed saints – religious leaders – or any person – including ourselves
- The riches of this world – with all its deceptions
The Bible brilliantly teaches us that God is to be the sole object of our worship (Exodus 20:1-5). Therefore – we must approach Him in reverence of godly fear (Hebrews 12:28-29). As we worship God we must realize that God is “Holy.” Consider what happened when men encountered the holiness of God…..
- Abraham – confessed he was “dust and ashes” – (Genesis 18:22-27)
- Job said – “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” – (Job 42:1-6)
- Habakkuk – “trembled” in the presence of God – (Habakkuk – 3:16)
- A true worshipper of God will not approach Him in worship in a flippant manner
- We should not be getting up and down – passing notes – whispering – talking – acting like we are at a ball game – it is a time of reverence – getting coffee – visiting in the hallways – etc. – it is sad but many people have more reverence and respect at a funeral than they do in the presence of the living God
- Are you giving reverence to God in your worship of Him?
Because God is holy, we need to approach Him in gratitude because He does not give us what we deserve for sin – death, and because He gives us opportunity to share in His mercy (Isaiah 54:7) (Isaiah 55:3) (1 Peter 1:3) (Psalm 136). Are you grateful to God for who He is? Are you grateful to God for what He has done? Are you giving worship to God with a grateful heart today? I think we all need work in this area, don’t you?