Reasons For Worship

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   We continue our study on reasons why God wants men to worship Him. One aspect of worship that deserves our attention is the fact that our worship to God is a sacrifice. Perhaps we have not thought about it in this way, but the Bible reveals that this is so.

                   In Old Testament days, God demanded that the people offer animal sacrifices to Him. Today, however, God does not command this. Jesus Christ made that sacrifice for sins “once and for all” at the cross (Heb. 7:27, 10:9-10, 14, etc.). Yet, this does not mean that God does not want any sacrifices! God demands that we give ourselves as “living sacrifices” to Him (Rom. 12:1-2). In fact, all our lives ought to be sacrificed in the Lord’s service (II Cor. 5:14-15).

                   Assembling to worship God constitutes a sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Therefore, when we sing, pray, or preach, this is “the fruit of our lips”. This is a sacrifice to God. When we cheerfully give of our means, and when we reverently partake of the Lord’s Supper, these are sacrifices as well! Too many have forgotten the significance and importance God places upon our sacrifices in worship!

                   Let us beware, though, that we worship God with the right attitude and not allow this sacrifice to become a “ritual” (Jn. 4:24). This will render our worship vain (Matt. 15:8-9)!

Reasons For Worship

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   Yesterday, we began a study that focused on why God wants men to worship Him. Let us continue this study.

                   Let us remember that our worship to God is just that, it is worship “to God”! If we are guilty of worshipping anyone or anything else, then we are in sin. Worshipping other things besides God is not an unusual thing with man. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and told them their worship was in vain because they had laid aside God’s commands in order to do what they wanted (Matt. 15:8-9). In like manner, we cannot think that we are going to please God in worship if we are not following His prescribed method for worship, as we studied yesterday.

                   Friend, worship has always been something that God mandated. We know this was the case with Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-7), and we also see this in the Law of Moses. The books of Exodus and Leviticus describe the way God wanted to be worshipped in those days.

                   In the New Testament, this fact has not changed. God commands our worship be “in spirit and in truth” and offered to Him through preaching, prayer, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, giving of our means, and singing (Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19; Jn. 4:24). Therefore, our worship is “to God,” for He is the one who told us what He wants! When folks stray from this pattern, their worship is no longer “to God,” but instead is vain!

Reasons For Worship

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   When studying about what God considers acceptable worship, men tend to focus upon what God said we must do in worship (Acts 2:42; I Cor. 16:1-2; Eph. 5:19; etc.). This is a good and necessary study. However, have we ever studied why God wants men to worship Him in the first place? Let us learn the reasons why we are to worship God.

                   The first reason we need to worship God is because God has always expected worship from His creation! From the beginning, we see God demanding worship, and telling folks what is acceptable to Him in worship. In Genesis 4:1-7, we see Cain and Abel worshipping. The reason that Abel’s worship was accepted and Cain’s worship was rejected was because Abel’s sacrifice was “by faith” while Cain’s was not (Heb. 11:4). These men knew God’s will, and had the same opportunity to obey or disobey. Therefore, when Abel accepted God’s will, God responded in kind. When Cain disobeyed, then God did not have respect for his offering.

                   From that time forward, we see God has expected worship from men and told men exactly what pleases Him in worship. We never see a time where God accepted whatever man decided to “throw up” to Him. On the contrary, God expects man to worship Him and do it on HIS terms, or it will not be accepted (Jn. 4:24; Matt. 15:8-9).

“Loving God”

Jarrod Jacobs 

            When asked what God’s greatest commandment was, Jesus said, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mk. 12:29-30). In essence, Christ was saying that we need to love God with our entire being. It is not enough to love God “sometimes” or “most of the time.” Our love to God needs to be shown to its fullest extent at all times.

            Why should this be? The command of Mark 12:29-30 is my response to God’s love. God loved us to the infinite degree by sending Jesus Christ into the world (Jn. 3:16). God loved us and showed it before we ever showed our love for Him (I Jn. 4:8-10).

            Thus, the question is not, “Does God love us?” The question is, “Do we love God?” Are we showing it? How do we show our love to the God of Heaven? We show it by keeping God’s commands (Jn. 14:15, 23, 15:14; I Jn. 5:3). Do you love God? Are you keeping His commandments? Start today! Love God with all your being and do what He says, and reap the benefits!

                   “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” These words are the Lord’s plan for saving man in a “nutshell.” If one wishes to be forgiven of sins, he needs to believe on Christ and be baptized. In a world that teaches that salvation is by “faith only,” or by praying a prayer, etc., let us be satisfied with the words of our Lord on this subject. These words are often called “The Great Commission” because Christ sent His apostles to preach this message to the world (Mk. 16:15). In like manner, we who are Christ’s disciples need to continue spreading the word (II Tim. 2:2). We need to let folks know that in order to be saved, we need to believe on Christ (Jn. 8:24) and be baptized (I Pet. 3:21). Be warned that if we reject Christ’s words, there is no other way to be saved from sin.

- Jarrod Jacobs