How does God want us to worship Him?
A. Respect for God is the way to have peace and justice in life!
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected
them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits
and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought
best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his
holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later
on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who
have been trained by it.
1. The key word here is ìrespectî for the fathers who disciplined us!
2. We should submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
3. The discipline process may be painful and unpleasant.
4. It will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace! He.12:9-11.
Therefore, one who wishes peace and just must respect God!
B. When comes to worship, God is a consuming fire!(Heb.12:28-29)
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us
be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe for our
God is a consuming fire.
C. This was how God show his consuming fire side in the O.T.
Lev. 10:1-3--> And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them
his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered
strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. And there
came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died
before Jehovah. Then Moses said unto Aaron, this is it that Jehovah spoke,
saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the
people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
D. Jesus told us how God is to be worshiped! (Jn.4:23-24)
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the
Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and
in truth."
E. God is not to be worshiped according to rules taught by men!
Mk. 7:7-9--> They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught
by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the
traditions of men." And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting
aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
F. Watch out for menís fine-sounding arguments!
Col 2:1-4--> I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for
those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose
is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they
may have full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know
the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by
fine-sounding arguments.
G. God is the same forever! (Heb.13:8-9)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be
carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our
hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which
are of no value to those who eat them.
May God bless you! (July 5, 07)