HEAD 1 + Title: The Dangers of Worship

Text: Selected

Tracing: Preached January 12, 1992 AM at SDCC.

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HEAD 1 + INTRO

Last week, after the morning service, someone commented that this was the

first time they had ever been through an in-depth study of worship. How many of

you can say the same? We tend to take worship for granted don't we? We use the

word but assume everyone understands it -- even if we are somewhat fuzzy about

it, everyone else probably understands it perfectly.

By and large, the modern church has neglected the subject of Worship. We

have been enabled to do that by the combination of a failure to understand its

meaning, a failure to recognize its importance, and a failure to remember its

dangers! Should we give proper attention to these things, we would be compelled

to take greater care with our worship!

To practice worship without an understanding of what the Bible teaches

about worship is a bit like wiring a house with the power on -- it may be

exciting but its not the brightest thing you'll ever do!

Consider with me today the awful risks and dangers of Worship!

De 8:19 "If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and

worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely

be destroyed."

De 13

The consequences of improper worship can be great -- People have been

stricken dead, nations have been conquered, kings have been deposed, and people

have been threatened with punishment in hell for errors in worship!

Fortunately, there are only five basic types of errors in Worship.

HEAD 1 + BODY

HEAD 2 + Worship of False gods

Ex 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me."

Ex 34:14 "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is

Jealous, is a jealous God."

To whom do you look for help? Who do you credit for your blessings?

From whom do you seek forgiveness? Who do you recognize as your superior and

authority? Friends, family, government, SELF??? Consider today's emphasis

on self-esteem and self-acceptance -- this is seeking forgiveness from

oneself!

HEAD 2 + Worship of the True God in a wrong form

Ex 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything

in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

De 4:15-19, Isa 40:18-26

This may have been the sin at the base of Mt. Sinai -- Aaron might have

been attempting to represent the TRUE God whom they had seen perform many

miracles in the Exodus. But worshipping a REPRESENTATION (any

representation) of God is unacceptable! It limits the unlimited God.

Do you have a representation of God? Illus. Judge Thunder vs. Cosmic

Creampuff. Do you caricature God, ignore some of His attributes, or imagine

that you fully understand Him? Let Him be somewhat undefined -- don't be

afraid to say, "I don't know." Accept the possibility that He may work in

ways you have not anticipated!

Do Jews and Moslems worship the same God? No! Not the Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ. Besides, forgiveness does not come from our worship but

from our participation in the death of Christ through a covenant relationship

with Him!

HEAD 2 + Worship in a Self-styled manner

Le 10:1 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in

them and added incense; and they offered unauthorised fire before the LORD,

contrary to his command.

I Sam 13:8-14 - Uzzah

Illus. former Stripper in a Mainline liberal church performing a

provocative dance as "worship".

HEAD 2 + Worship in an inconsistent life

Isa 1:10-18

Ho 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God

rather than burnt offerings.

Amos 5:21-24

Far more important than what we do in a "Worship Service" is how we live

our lives! If our profession through the last six days of the week

contradicts that of the first, our so-called "worship" on the first is

utterly without value!

HEAD 2 + Worship with a wrong attitude

Worship as "appeasement" or ritual. Isa 29:13 The Lord says: ``These

people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but

their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules

taught by men.

Giving less than our best. Mal. 1:6-10

Seeking self-gratification or approval from others -- "I just didn't get

anything out of the Worship Service!" Joh 5:44 How can you believe if you

accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that

comes from the only [One] God?

HEAD 1 + CONCLUSION

Worship Him. Worship ONLY Him. Worship Him by committing,

unconditionally, your life to Him.

Deut 30:15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and

destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in

his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and

increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to

possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you

are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you

this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the

land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call

heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and

death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may

live.

Today, as then, we face a choice as to how we will worship. Choose rightly

-- to love the LORD and keep His commands -- and live. Choose wrongly and face

only destruction. Which will you choose?

HEAD 1 + COMMENTS

HEAD 1 +

Prepared by Scott L. Purcell

Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church

1501 Stokelan Drive

Malden, MO 63863

(314) 276-2343

Reproduce, modify, and use freely

for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!

If these outlines are of some benefit to you,

a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!


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