Worship That Pleases God

The songs today were particularly meaningful because we started with one about, let's keep God Sabbath holy, and then the one in the middle about, by this, shall all men know you. And that leads me to the question, brethren, what kind of worship truly pleases God? Is it merely a religious display of piety, an outward appearance of holiness, well-spoken phrases, raised hands, repeated words like hallelujah, amen, or praise Jesus?

Obviously, we praise Jesus, but is that all that it is to be truly religious and worshiping God? Isaiah wrote at the time that Assyria was raising up and was threatening Israel and Judah. And in Isaiah 29, verse 13, we read, Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the commandments of men. God condemned a form of worship that appeared correct outwardly, but lacked sincerity of heart.

Some 120 years later, Ezekiel, as an exile in Babylon after the first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC, describes the same attitude in Ezekiel 33, verse 31 to 32. And we read, So they came to you as people do, they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them.

For with their mouths they shall much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed, you are to them as a lovely song, one who has pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument. For they hear your words, but they do not do them. Brethren, this is going on to more than 2,500 years ago. And God revealed through Isaiah and Ezekiel that a self-serving and ultimately worthless worship through that approach in which people don't do it, don't live it, is meaningless. They were worshiping God in vain. Jesus Christ himself, about 2,000 years ago, applied the same Isaiah's warning in Matthew 15, verse 7 through 9, saying, Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying, These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

So what kind of worship truly pleases God? Is it just an outward appearance of religious piety, an outward show of holiness, sweet, syrupy words, raised hands, and repeating various phrases that sound very religious? Or is it a whole different attitude, exemplified by a way of life, one way of life which walks a narrow and difficult path, one that demonstrates a deep and sincere attitude of love, honor, and respect for both God and fellow men?

Brethren, today I want to remind ourselves that it's time to really examine ourselves. Believe it or not, before you and I blink our eyes, Passover will be here. And with the tests that are going around, and the trials and difficulties that are coming around, it is very possible that this year there will be even tougher tests before Passover. So it is time for us to start early and examine ourselves. We want to examine ourselves that we are worshiping God, that we are doing it so in a way that's pleasing to Him, that we are close to God in our hearts, in our minds, in our attitudes.

And out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, out of the abundance of the heart, we exemplify that love in actions, in the way we conduct ourselves, and other physical activities around us that purely demonstrate that attitude of mind. It basically leads to a way to care for others, to love others. As the song we finished singing by this, all man shall know you, that you love one another. You see, we've got to put others first and not ourselves.

It's a way of respect and honor to others in addition to respect and honor God. And it's all based in an attitude of mind and heart. In Philippians 2, we read, Let each of you look out not only on his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. True concern for others flows from humility, counting others as more important than ourselves, and expressing that attitude through respect and honor.

This is the very essence of the worship that is pleasing to God. In 1 Peter 2, verse 17, We read a simple statement, Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Fear God and honor the king. In fact, honor all people.

Love the brethren. These instructions reflect godly character in action. But where does such character begin? Where does such character begin? Where do we start putting it to practice? It begins at home. And it extends them, not just from husband and wife, but to our children, because it's from small that the foundation is laid. It is obviously, therefore, in this humble little nest of the family unit.

It is important for husband and wife to agree. As 2 Corinthians 6, verse 14 says, Be equally yoked, or rather, don't be unequally yoked. And that is a principle that applies to many things. It's important for us to agree on many things. We don't keep Christmas. We don't keep Easter. We don't eat pork. And even a lot more other things. When there is this unity in the home, then we are building a sound foundation to go beyond the home.

And so the relationship of love, the relationship of true worshiping God in a way that's pleasing to Him, starts in the family and starts between husband and wife. And that is foundational. It is designed to picture the relationship between Christ and the Church.

You see, when we respect and when we honor and we show humility and love, they are shaping every other relationship between people, between brethren, beyond the home, and therefore, they give a visible expression of true Godly worship, because that is pleasing to God.

As we, for instance, start with husbands and wives.

Which is a picture of Christ and the Church. In husbands, we look at the important in Ephesians 5, Ephesians 5, verse 22. Ephesians 5, verse 22 says, Ephesians 5, verse 25. He says, husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for her.

Christ sacrificed and gave his whole life for the Church. And that is the example for men to love their wives.

It's action. It's deeds. It's not just emotion, but it's true serving work and action.

Also in 1 Peter 3, verse 7, 1 Peter 3, verse 7, husbands likewise do well with them, the wives, with understanding, giving honor to the wife as to the week of Essel. Now, a week of Essel doesn't mean that it's inferior quality, because, for instance, if you take a piece of China, of a China tea set, that is not necessarily low quality. It's just a wicked vessel. And so we're going to give honor to the wife as the wicked vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered, that your prayers may not be hindered.

That is the husband's role. The wives, then in Ephesians 5, verse 22 and 23, says, wives submit your own husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church, and he's the savior of the body. And so the act of submission is not one of submitting to a dictator, but he's submitting to one which is saving the body, that's serving the body, the family unit. And in 1 Peter 3, verse 1 and 2, wives likewise be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they without the word may be won by the conduct of their wives. So now we have a conduct which is based in an attitude, just like the husband's willingness to serve is based on an attitude. And so when they observe your chaste conduct, accompanied by fear, a chaste behavior, a clean, pure behavior with the fear of God. And so the lady's responsibility is to have a pure behavior, a chaste conduct accompanied by the fear of God. And so it all starts in an attitude, but we always see an attitude of respect, of reverence, which basically leads to that respect to continue growing in a way that is pleasing to God. Now typically reverence is vertical towards God, while respect is horizontal towards fellow man. And that respect and reverence is the foundation, which in the end is really based on an attitude of mind and heart. And that actually begins with the fear of God. As in Proverbs 9, verse 10 says, the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. When we fear God and we respect God, we value what God values. And God values people. That's why He gave His Son to die for us. He values people. And therefore, that value leads to respect in action, and that respect in action is basically honor, as we read a moment ago. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. Reverend, an attitude of reverence towards God produces respect towards people, and that respect is made visible through honor. In Ephesians 5, we read a few sections of it, the relationship between a husband and a wife demonstrates this principle. Love, respect, submission reflect Christ's relationship with the Church. It's not dictatorship. It's service and outgoing concern and building unity. And this shows true worship. And true worship is not only vertical towards God. Oh, you know, I worship God, but I treat the other people badly. No. It's also horizontal how we honor and serve others. So it's not just husband and wife, but then we read in Ephesians 6, then it then goes on to children towards parents. Ephesians 6, verse 2, And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. And so, yeah, we have again a two-way relationship. Children honor the parents, and parents do not provoke the children to wrath. Look at Colossians chapter 3. Colossians chapter 3, verse 20 through 22. Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to God. Well pleasing to God. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Similar to what we read in Ephesians. Obey the parents, but don't provoke your children, either to wrath or to discourage them.

It is just as important for parents to be considerate, loving, gentle, encouraging towards their children, as it is for children to honor, respect, and obey their parents. It's a two-way street. Our job at the same time is to draw the hearts of the fathers towards the children, and the hearts of the children towards the fathers. We read that in Malachi. That's a big responsibility we have. And so, to please God, that attitude which starts at home, then needs to be extended to all. In Titus chapter 3, and I'm going to read from the New Living Translation, it reads it slightly different. It says, Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and shall true humility to everyone. So again, an attitude of humility that then goes out and extends to everyone. In 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 1 through 4, and I'm going to read also in the New Living Translation, it reads, I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people, again, for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God, our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. And so we see that this is a conduct which starts from humility, from an attitude of heart, for us to be concerned for others, to pray for everyone. And this is good and pleasing to God. When we have and when we show proper respect to all people, we ultimately honor God Himself. Brethren, God expects us to respond to everyone with kindness and gentleness. I'm not emphasizing this because there is a problem, no. I'm just reminding ourselves, as we approach Passover, it is a good time to re-examine ourselves, to re-examine our hearts. In 2 Timothy 2, verse 24, also from the New Living Translation, it says, In Ephesians 4, verse 2, also in the New Living Translation, read, We see a trend here. It's an attitude of out-going concern of love, a mutual relationship of love, even when people are difficult, starting from home to our children and to everyone. And so, godly worship is expressed not only in words, but in a godly life, lived in reverence for God and in respect for others starting at home and flowing outward from there to our children, to the church, and to others.

Part of that devotion, brethren, is obedience to God's commandments, including assembly together as it requires and when it requires. As we heard in the sermon, we are to be continuing to keep the Sabbath.

In Hebrews 10, verse 24 and 25, Hebrews 10, verse 24 and 25, it says, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

The assembling of ourselves together and us hearing and talking to our brethren in Christian fellowship before or after church, as we have after church our snacks for after church. We specifically thank you for many of you to bring snacks so we can eat them in a fellowship after church.

And so that is an opportunity for us to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.

So let's not neglect that opportunity that we have if we are able to understand ourselves. And that sometimes due to health or age or other reasons, distance might not be able to do so. But we are not to neglect if we have that opportunity.

Leviticus 23, verse 3, tells us that the Sabbath is a time for holy assembly.

It's a time for a holy assembly. The word, therefore, assembly is like a summons.

And you know what a summons means in a court of law. It is a pretty strong instruction.

And so we come for a holy assembly on the Sabbath, and we should treat it with that proper respect, because it is a day that God has ordained for that purpose.

In Matthew chapter 5, Matthew chapter 5, verse 14 through 16, Matthew chapter 5, verse 14 through 16. And it's interesting that again we did have mention earlier on, I think it was in one of our songs, about us being a light and an example. And in Matthew chapter 5, verse 14 through 16, we read, We read, Brethren, it's our example, our conduct, one that others see as good works, and therefore they glorify God in heaven, maybe not today, maybe in the second resurrection. But they'll remember what you did and how you did, and then they'll realize that you have been an example all along.

We need to let our light shine before every person.

And so, gathering faithfully on the Sabbath, for instance, is an essential way we honor God, and it reflects God's presence in our lives.

And so the worship that pleases God is not just coming across as being quote-unquote religious, but it's an attitude that leads to a way of life. Yes, it is a way of life that begins around reflecting the very stature of Jesus Christ in all we do with everyone.

Let me just be a little bit more specific.

For instance, even our appearance and demeanor are also expressions of worship. How we present ourselves through our dress, through our grooming, and our behavior, communicating respect, propriety, and honor to God and others.

In 1 Timothy 2, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Timothy 2.

We read in verse 8 through 10.

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. And like men also, the women adorn themselves in modest apparel with propriety and moderation, not of braided hair or gold or pearls of costly clothing.

In verse 10, but which is proper for women professing godliness in good works.

Paul is encouraging us, not just women, but the principle applies to men as well, because it says, in like manner, that we all are to dress ourselves in a godly, modest way.

And Paul, addressing Timothy, is emphasizing good deeds rather than elaborate clothing.

In 1 Peter chapter 3, reading verse 3 and 4, it says, Do not let your adornment be merely outward, arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine clothing.

Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

A gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Peter highlights inner beauty over outward extravaganza.

This is not meant, brethren, to discourage or criticize, but it is a gentle reminder to guide us towards moderation and balance.

Dressing and grooming modestly avoids extremes that distract or draw attention.

There is anything that brings unnecessary attention to ourselves.

Modesty allows worship to focus on God rather than ourselves, and demonstrates respect for others in the assembly.

The key, brethren, is the attitude.

The key is the attitude of the heart and mind.

Our thoughts about ourselves and our sensitivity to others should reflect the mind of Christ.

When your thinking and my thinking, when our thinking is moral, considerate, and humble, it naturally shapes our choices, our behavior, our appearance, and it basically is revealing godly character.

In 2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 2, we read, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God has given us a spirit of a sound mind, a mind which is balanced.

We need to strive for balance in all things.

Sure, dress is one thing, dress for the occasion, maintain respectful and honorable demeanor, and avoid seeking excessive attention.

Sometimes we hear, oh, it's fashionable.

But brethren, what is deemed fashionable may not be the best choice to dress for both men and women.

It may not be the best way of conduct, or because it's fashionable to act this way.

That may not be okay to God.

In Romans 8, verse 14, Romans 8, verse 14, Romans 8 is a wonderful book.

In fact, the whole of Romans is a wonderful book.

The whole Bible is a wonderful book. But Romans 8, talking about God's Holy Spirit, in verse 14 says, For as many as I led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

Brethren, you and I need to be close to God and allow God's Holy Spirit to guide you and I.

It all gets back to an attitude of heart, of being close to God, of being neat and humble to God.

And that is then expanded to all our behavior and conduct.

We need to allow God's Spirit to guide us.

Brethren, we need to allow God's Spirit to guide us. That's why we don't set rules and lists of dos and don'ts.

We want everyone to be led by God's Holy Spirit.

Why? As we read in Ephesians chapter 4, verse 13, as we are led by God's Holy Spirit, till we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

That's our goal, brethren, to be like Christ.

Let me summarize in a few words.

We do not want our worship to be in vain.

Godly worship is not an outward display of religiosity and piety.

It's not expressed in sweet, syrupy words.

But God's worship is an attitude of mind and heart, which leads to a way of life.

The way, as we read time and time again in the New Testament.

It's a way of life that honors God in every thought, word, and action.

Just as Christ cares for the interests of you and I because He gave His life for us, we too must care for those around us.

We need to show humility, honoring all, and putting others before ourselves.

This Godly way of life begins at home, where the family relationship pictures Christ and the Church.

But it extends to all aspects of our lives, including how we show Godly love and respect one another, how we assemble together to honor God, how we present ourselves in modest and appropriate clothing, and how our attitudes reflect sensitivity, respect, and consideration for others.

And so balance is essential in all things.

When our actions, when our appearance, when our attitude aligns with God's principles, we live a life that generally pleases God.

This is the worship that flows from a heart, an attitude of submission to God.

And it is guided by a spirit producing a life with humility, honor, and love for others.

May God help you and I, may God help us all through a spirit of a sound mind, to examine ourselves carefully, to live according to His way, and to walk in the true way of life that pleases Him.

This is the worship God desires, a life fully devoted to Him, reflecting His character and honoring Him in all that we do.