Reverence In Worship

John 4:1-26

Reverence

• Not much today

• Proudly mock God (Psalm 73:6, 11)

• Left out of plans (James 4:13-17)

Reverence

• Fear and awe (Hebrews 12:28)

• Obedience (Genesis 3)

• Preciseness (Leviticus 10:1, 2)

• Exclusiveness (2 Samuel 6:7)

• Totally devoted (Matthew 22:37)

Acceptable Worship

• Clean vs. Unclean (Leviticus 22:5-22)

• “Shut the door” (Malachi 1:10)

• Acceptable sacrifice (Romans 12:1, 2)

• “In spirit and truth” (John 4:24)

• Doesn’t need us (Acts 7:48-50)

Private Worship

• Outside of our assemblies– Not a “church building religion”

– Privately (Matthew 8:2; John 9:38)

Private Worship

• Lord’s instruction (Matthew 6)– Directed to God, not men (vv. 1-6, 16-18)

– From the heart (vv. 7, 8)

– Acknowledge God’s greatness (v. 9)

– God’s purpose first (vv. 10, 11)

– Confess sin and need for help (vv. 12, 13)

Private Worship

• Practical application– Pray alone

– Read Bible (Acts 8:28)

– Meditate (1 Timothy 4:15)

Assembled Worship

• Purpose and motive (Psalms)– Desire to worship (42:1-4)

– Be calmed (42:8)

– Find meaning to life (100:1-5)

– Glad to be present (122:1)

Assembled Worship

• Early church– Regularly (Acts 2:42; 11:26)

– First day (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2)

– Edified by singing (Ephesians 5:19)

Assembled Worship

• Guidelines (2 Corinthians 11, 14)– Spirit of unity and concern (11:17-22)

– Understanding the purpose (11:23-29)

– Intelligible (14:1-25)

– Decently and in order (14:26-40)

Assembled Worship

• Hindered by sin– Guilty (Isaiah 59:1, 2; 1 Peter 3:12)

– Not forgiving others (Matthew 5:23, 24; 6:14, 15)

– Perversion of worship

Assembled Worship

• Lack of concentration– Arrive late

– Pass notes, talk, daydream, play, play with babies, check email, etc. (Genesis 41:14; Psalm 96:9)

– Actively participate by singing, praying along, preparing for class, etc.?

Conclusion

• Picture the throne scene (Revelation 4, 5)

• Will you be there?