September 24, 2000, SM: Worship Pleasing to God

September 24th, 2000, Sunday Morning

-- BEARING PRECIOUS SEEDS MINISTRY --
"Worship Pleasing to God"
Doing it the Correct Way
(Special Guest Missionary: Pastor Ken Hopper)

OPENING: John 4:23-24, KJV

WELCOME TO THE MESSAGE FROM VISITING MISSIONARY KEN HOPPER AND HIS WIFE BONNIE FROM "PRECIOUS SEEDS MINISTRY."
THE GOAL OF THIS MINISTRY IS:

Working with local churches in the publishing of the scriptures

Distributing God's Word to the world

Raising funds for scriptures

Taking trips to mission fields aiding missionaries
Psalm 126:6

Jesus wants us to know that we can worship Him in spirit and in truth anywhere--not just in Sunday church.

The bible says the truth will make you free. Without it, no one can be saved. We have stewardship of truth: put it in your heart so you may pass it out to others.

Today, the world is making a profit by selling man's modified interpretations of the King James Bible by publishing successors such as the NIV (New International Version) and the "All American Bible." The bible is not for sale. It's meant to be given freely because you cannot put a dollar value on being saved.

2 Timothy 3:15-16: One thing we come to church for is a relationship with God. We build and strengthen this relationship through His instruction.

2 Timothy 2:15: We cannot worship God without knowing what His word says and means.

Hebrews 10:25: We should assemble ourselves for worship. "Exhorting one another" means to say good and motivating things about one another in relation to God's Word--not to praise or lift each other up. Remember--God gets all glory.

Three stages or proper worship: WORK, WORSHIP, then WAIT

People don't stick to a volunteer job unless it's directed by God (i.e., you may feel you should be helping someone but grow weary of it and stop as opposed to vigilantly sticking with it).
Genesis 4:3-7: Perfect example of this is the story of Cain and Abel. it's important to understand how to worship the right way or else your personal desires will rule you. In this passage, both Cain and Abel's offering expressed gratitude but Abel know/believed something about God that Cain did not. For that, Cain's offering (worship) was not accepted.
- Aside: Notice in Genesis 4:6 proof that God gives second chances by asking Cain why he's upset as opposed to killing him for not worshipping the proper way.
Hebrews 11:4 and 11:6: This is what Abel has that Cain didn't that made his sacrifice pleasing to God: FAITH.

THREE TRUTHS IN PLEASING WORSHIP TO GOD:

#1/3: Worship God not men
- Churches go through the motions of serving and worshipping God through sermon, prayer, and offering (among other things). The eyes and thoughts should not be on those who sing best but what the church (as a whole) is singing for and who it's directed to.
- The special music sung should not be taken lightly. It should be sung with awe and respect. God is not the "man upstairs" or "the boss." He's the almighty God who deserves the utmost respect.
- Psalm 29:2: And not just worship God--do so in a holy manner. Meaning: be clean from sin (ask aforehand for forgiveness of sins).
#2/3: Proper knowledge of God's character
- Abel had the proper knowledge of God's character. He believed in God through faith when sacrificing. Cain did not.
- By reading His Word, we know he's a holy God.
- Micah 6:6-8: God doesn't want thousands of pure burnt offerings for our sins--he was us to live justly, have mercy, and to walk in His steps.
#3/3: Having a sure, right heart with God
- If you truly love God and believe in Him, you will do what He says. You will perform a true worship experience. This includes gladly opening your wallet for regular tithing and offerings.
- A preacher's actions can't change your heart--no matter what he does or how much you agree with him. It's the word that the preacher reads from that has the ability to change you forever.
- To get your heart right with God is to adjust the things you say, do, and treat others.
  - Matthew 15:8-9: Our hearts must be in tune with God with our mind on Christ--not just our lips. God knows our hearts and we cannot fool him with our singing.
  - Incorrect worship leads to sin, self-righteousness, rebellion, pride, etc. Remember what Cain did as a result of incorrect worship? It led him to commit the first murder (Genesis 4:8)
  - If we're not right with God when in church, we will give ineffective singing, listening, and giving of money.
  - Psalm 51:15-17: A true sacrifice to God is to have a sorry and contrite heart--and to not repeat your sin ... not burnt offerings.
  - Romans 12:1: We must present ourselves to God as holy (meaning sinless ... meaning sincerely asking for forgiveness of our sins so we may be sinless).
    - 1 Chronicles 16:29: In this verse, it says "bring an offering, and come before him:" This means, like the above scripture, present yourself--your body, as holy, as a living sacrifice.

Stop and think of all the good things God has done for you.

Hosea 6:6: God doesn't want our sacrifices and offerings. He wants our love and to want Him. He is a jealous God.
Hosea 4:6: See how tough it is to stay on the path? But as a cohesive church, we can all come back and get right with God. The requirements for this include:
- Total submission of your thoughts, feelings, and actions to God
- 1 Corinthians 1:29: No "modern day" worship that attracts the flesh (i.e. worship that pleases men)
- 1 Corinthians 1:18,21,25: Today, churches attract the attention of its members through music and drama instead of sober preaching of the word. God prefers you stick to that "old time preaching and singing."
- Romans 10:17: Because without hearing the preached word, there is no faith. Without faith, there is no believing in God and no believing in God means there is no saving grace.

Hebrews 11:: Known as the chapter of faith in the bible, it explains how people like Abel, David, Isaiah, etc. prospered through God by just having faith in Him.

CLOSER

So to summarize, the three truths in pleasing worship to God are:

1. Worship God not men
2. Having the proper knowledge of the character of God (faith)
3. Getting our hearts right with God (contrite heart)

The "Bearing Precious Seeds" ministry gets the bible out not only to those who are waiting but those who have never heard of the bible.

Some in the heart of Mexico believe the bible is the name of a wild animal!
John 10:10: The ministry is here to bring life.

Some in other countries cry out for hours for a bible--for hope. When a tribe finally receives a bible, but not enough for all, they rip up groups of pages of scripture to pass around for groups of people to read. People travel 30+ miles on foot to await the shipment of their bible

... and how many unopened bibles sit around our house?