http://www.kchurchofchrist.com/mp3/102515.mp3
Worship that is pleasing to God
Are we worshipping the Lord with true celebration and praise, with all our body, soul, mind, and heart?
Are we fervently seeking His guidance and embrace?
Are we truly looking forward to connecting with God and lift up His name through out worship?
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””
John 4:24 NIV
Worship is the best experience for a reborn soul
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV
Why did God not receive Cain's worship? (Genesis 4)
•God rejected the sacrifice of Cain because He saw lack of purity and faith in
his heart.. And his misguided intent
•Cain was jealous and competitive
•Cain harbors hate toward his brother
Why did God receive Abel's worship? How was his worship better?
•Abel was very faithful in his worship and sacrifice
•Abel gave with fervor, sincerity and priority to God
Are we worshipping to please ourselves and to boast, or to truly give all glory to God?
•are you at worship just to listen to a “good” sermon or prayer?
•are you at worship to be touched by a “beautiful” praise and song?
When Jesus visited, we observe how Martha and Mary received Him differently
•Martha worked hard to serve and accommodate the guests, and later became upset when Mary was not helping once Jesus arrived
•When Jesus arrived, Mary went by His side and was eager to listen to Him
•It's not the action that defined what was pleasing to the Lord, but their heart that the Lord looked at…
•He sees the priority of the heart
•“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” Luke 10:38-42 NIV
What is the purpose of fellowship?
•To encourage and lift up each other and strengthen each other's faith in God
•To pray for each other and worship God together
God wants worship with purity of heart
•Resolve hatred or wrongdoing with your brothers before worship to God
•““You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not
murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell
you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to
judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘ Raca,’ is
answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in
danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them;
then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:21-24 NIV
•“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can
understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward
each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds
deserve.”” Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV
•““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still
angry,” Ephesians 4:26 NIV
We worship to restore the image of God
•“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created
them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV
•“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
Genesis 2:7 NIV
•“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number;
fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the
sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.””
Genesis 1:28 NIV
God's purpose in creating man
“the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”
Isaiah 43:21 NIV
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
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