Imagine Yourself at Scenes Described in the Following:

• Exodus 19:16-22; 20:1--, 18-20

• Ezekiel 1:4-9, 24-28

• Matthew 17:1-6

• Revelation 1:9-17

““And when I saw Him, I fell at And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.”His feet as dead.”

Revelation 1:7Revelation 1:7

This reaction was almost universal This reaction was almost universal when human beings received a when human beings received a

revelation of divine glory.revelation of divine glory.

This Reaction fits the Bible Definitions of Worship

• In Old Testament: Shahah (Used 94 times) depress, bow down, prostrate

• In New Testament: Proskuneo: (from pros, towards, and kuneo , to kiss) to make obeisance, do reverence to.

Identifying True Worship

• Prostration or falling on the face in itself is not worship.

• Singing, prayer, communion are not worship in themselves.

• Worship is the inward emotion that produces such actions.

Benefits of True WorshipBenefits of True Worship

• God is pleased (John 4:23)God is pleased (John 4:23)

• We are made better (2 Cor. 3:18)We are made better (2 Cor. 3:18)

• Others are provoked to love and Others are provoked to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)

But worship may also be vain.But worship may also be vain.(worthless, without value)(worthless, without value)

““And in vain they worship Me”And in vain they worship Me”Matthew 15:9Matthew 15:9

What Makes Worship Vain?What Makes Worship Vain?

1. Not being from the heart”1. Not being from the heart” ‘ ‘TheseThese peoplepeople draw near to Me draw near to Me

with their mouth, with their mouth,And honor Me withAnd honor Me with their lips,their lips,But their heart is far from Me.But their heart is far from Me.

99 And in vain they worship Me,And in vain they worship Me,TeachingTeaching as doctrines the as doctrines the

commandments of men.’”commandments of men.’”

Matt 15:8Matt 15:8

Worship is vain if God is not in the heart.Worship is vain if God is not in the heart.

Scripture Requires Heart Involvement in Every Act of

Worship it Authorizes

• Singing – Ephesians 5:19• Prayer – I Corinthians 14:15• The Lord’s Supper – I Cor. 11:29• Giving – II Corinthians 9:7• Teaching – I Peter 4:11

Hearing – I Thessalonians 2:13

Why sing, pray, etc. if not for God?Why sing, pray, etc. if not for God?

• We may preach, sing, pray to be We may preach, sing, pray to be seen & heard of men (Matt. 6:1-6).seen & heard of men (Matt. 6:1-6).

• We may enjoy the social aspect of it.We may enjoy the social aspect of it.

• Acts of worship may be pleasurable.Acts of worship may be pleasurable.

-- Zechariah 7:4-6-- Zechariah 7:4-6

-- Isaiah 58:3-- Isaiah 58:3

2. If it is not authorized by God.2. If it is not authorized by God.

And in vain they worship Me,And in vain they worship Me,TeachingTeaching as doctrines the as doctrines the

commandments of men.’”commandments of men.’”

Matt 15:9Matt 15:9

An example:An example:

““And their fear toward Me is taught by And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men. (Is. 29:13)the commandment of men. (Is. 29:13)

Requirement of hand washing (Mt. 15:1-4)

God is concerned about what is God is concerned about what is done in Worship!done in Worship!

• Numerous O. T. examples:• Cain and Abel• Nadab and Abihu ““offered profane fire before offered profane fire before

the Lord, which He had not commanded them. the Lord, which He had not commanded them. (Leviticus 10:1)(Leviticus 10:1)

• ‘‘By those who come near Me By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people And before all the people

I must be glorified.’” I must be glorified.’” (Leviticus 10:3)(Leviticus 10:3)• Colossians 3:16-17; Isaiah 55:8-9Colossians 3:16-17; Isaiah 55:8-9

What Makes Worship Vain?

• Worship is vain if God is not in Worship is vain if God is not in the heart.the heart.

• Worship is vain if action is not Worship is vain if action is not from Godfrom God

So far, we have seen that:

3. If worshipers are hypocrites.3. If worshipers are hypocrites.7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:8 ‘These‘These peoplepeople draw near to Me with draw near to Me with their mouth,their mouth,

And honor Me withAnd honor Me with their lips,their lips,But their heart is far from Me.But their heart is far from Me.

99 And in vain they worship Me,And in vain they worship Me,TeachingTeaching as doctrinesas doctrines the the

commandments of men.’”commandments of men.’” (Matt. 15:7-9)

Matthew 15:4-6• “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.’

Worship is vain if one is disobeying God.Worship is vain if one is disobeying God.

God’s 1God’s 1stst Requirement is Purity Requirement is Purity

• Isaiah 1:10-17

• Micah 3:4

• Proverbs 28:9

• 1 Timothy 2:8

Summarizing

• Worship is vain if God is not Worship is vain if God is not in the heart.in the heart.

• Worship is vain if action is Worship is vain if action is not from Godnot from God

• Worship is vain if one is Worship is vain if one is disobeying God.disobeying God.

Worship is all about God!Worship is all about God!

How Can We Improve Our Worship?

• Increasing our faith

• Worship in Private

• Proper Preparation (See Exodus 19:10-14)

• Remembering that God is Present

Hebrews 12:18-24; 13:15-16