God is Spirit and those who worship Him

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4: 24) And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (Acts 17: 26 -27)

God has always desired for mankind to worship Him Noah Abraham Job Worshipped By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent Gen. 8: 20 Gen. 12: 7 -8 Job 1: 5 sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his Men gifts; and through it he. Wise being dead still speaks. Worshipped (Hebrews 11: 4) Mt. 2: 11 You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. (Deut. 6: 13) Paul Worshipped Acts 24: 14

God Accepts Only Worship That is Offered in Truth Leviticus Gives Detailed Instructions About According to all that I am going to show you, as the Worship pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it. (Ex. 25: 9) Nadab & Abihu Violated the Pattern See that you make them after the pattern for them, 10: 1 -3 which was shown to Lev. you on the mountain. (Ex. 25: 40) Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had King Uzziah commanded him, so he did. (Ex. 40: 16) Trespassed the Law 2 Chron. 26: 16 -21

God Accepts Only Worship Offered from the Heart Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. (Ex. 25: 2) You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut. 6: 5)

Unacceptable Worship Malachi 1 10 “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you, ” says the LORD of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you. ” 11 “For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations, ” says the LORD of hosts. 12 “But you are profaning it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised. ’” 13 “You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it, ” says the LORD of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand? ” says the LORD. 14 “But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King, ” says the LORD of hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations. ”

Unacceptable Worship Isaiah 29 13 The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Amos 8 4 Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land, 5 saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales…” Matthew 15 8 These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Worship in the Gospel Age Praying 1 Cor. 14: 15 Lord’s Supper Acts 20: 7 Singing Eph. 5: 19 Giving 1 Cor. 16: 1 -2 Preaching Gospel Acts 20: 7, 2: 42

Why Am I Here? A Family Thing? Tradition? Social Ties? Spouse Attends? To Worship God?

How Can I Improve it? Come Prepared To Worship! Get A Good Night’s Rest Clear Mind of Worldly Things Self-discipline

How Can I Improve it? Participate! 2 Corinthians 9 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Corinthians 11 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. Ephesians 5 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Acts 17 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

How Can I Improve it? Strive To Edify Others! 1 Corinthians 14 26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

How Can I Improve it? Limit Distractions! 1 Corinthians 14 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. Late Arrivals r Talke s Aisle ts s i r u c i n Ma Eaters & s Chewer s Sl r e p ee Invitation Upsetters Roam ers Note Writers Gig gle rs

Remember What Worship Is! Honor…Reverence…Respect…Adoration Directed Toward Our Creator and Father in Heaven But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 2: 20)

Remember Who God Is! Creator Gen. 1: 1 Omnipresent Ps. 139: 7 -12 Love 1 Jn. 4: 8 All Powerful Jer. 32: 17 All Knowing Ps. 139: 17 -18 Holy 1 Pet. 1: 15 -16