Sermon: Worship that Pleases God Intro: 1. If someone ask what is worship that pleases God, what would you talk about? 2. Can talk about worship as response to God's acts 3. Could talk about the form of worship a. If God instruct how he wants to be worshipped, that is how to do it b. It not about what I want, but what God does 4. But it can't stop there 5. Some principles concerning worship in all of life I. God's deliverance, sacrifice, worship, daily living, ethics are connected A. Worship is response to God's intervention B. Look at God's instruction at Sinai after their deliverance 1. (Ex 20:1) - God begins by reminding that he delivered them 2. (Ex 13:14; Lev 23) - Feasts remember God's intervention C. God's intervention part of basis for the law… 1. Sabbath - All to rest, including servants and animals - (Dt 5:15) - Motivation clause - because God freed Israel from hard labor in Egypt 2. (Lev 6:1-7) - If person sins by stealing or losing another's property - restitution plus 1/5 along with the guilt offering 3. (Lev 25:39-42) - Regarding slavery a. Israelites not to be sold as slaves because God freed them from slavery in Egypt. b. If sold selves in slavery, to be treated as hired hand 4. (Dt 15:12-15) - If person lets slave go free, must generously give him provisions and not send him away empty handed because the Lord brought his people out of Egypt with provisions 5. (Dt. 24:10-18) - Israelites not to oppress poor, alien, or widow because Lord redeemed his people from oppression in Egypt 6. (Dt. 24:19-22) - Israelites not to harvest all produce, but leave some for poor because they slaves in Egypt, & God was kind 7. (Dt 10:12-22) - God defends fatherless, orphan, widows and aliens. Therefore people were to love even the aliens because God does D. Theme running through law - It reflects God's character 1. Not just about order of worship, how to do rituals 2. It is also about daily living and ethics II. Prophetic teaching on Worship A. Some have called the prophets the first "protestants" 1. They were protesting the corrupt system 2. Priests and establishment going through motions 3. They were not action in accordance with God's intervention 4. They did not reflect the character of God B. Examples of the prophetic message 1. (I Sam 15:22) - God is not after the sacrifice, but obedience. 2. (Is 1:10-17) - Rebellion make offerings stink, not soothing aroma 3. (Jer 7:1-15, 21-23) - Temple not a confessional without change a. God is concerned with justice v.5-6, (v.24) b. God can remove the temple from them and cast them c. v.22 - God did not command them concerning sacrifices - Probably refer to the Ex 19-20, not yet give details - Began with commitment to faithful obedience - AFTER this, instructions given 4. (Hos 6:4-6) - God delights in loyalty rather than sacrifice. 5. (Am 5:21-24) - God will not accept sacrifices, songs, or festivals. a. God demands justice and righteousness v.24 b. They were oppressing the poor (5:11-12) 6. (Micah 6:6-8) - God requires justice, kindness, and to walk humbly with him. 7. (Prov 21:3) - To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. C. ILL: What effect would a cheating husband singing songs of adoration to his "sweetheart" have on her? D. Theme that runs through the prophets concerning worship 1. God is not concerned with the offering and action itself 2. God is concerned with the heart that brings the offering III. Lesson for us A. God is concerned with a right heart B. Only a right heart and render pleasing worship to God 1. (Mk 7:5-13) - Paying your vows to God a. If you had vowed to God, and parents in need, still have to pay your vows b. Problem, not just teaching commandments of men c. Problem is deep - "their heart is far from me" d. Result - Worship is vain 2. (Mt 12:1-7) - I desire compassion, not a sacrifice a. Technically they were working on the Sabbath b. Jesus quotes - "I desire compassion, not sacrifice." 3. (1 Pet 3:7) - Treat wife well, so prayers not hindered a. Ethics, daily life, etc. and worship connected b. Person mistreats wife, worship is repugnant to God 4. (Rom 13:8) - He who loves neighbor has fulfilled the law C. Ethics, daily living and worship are all connected Concl: 1. Can't worship right and live wrong 2. I don't think a person who lives right will worship wrong either 3. Rom 12:1 - Offer bodies living sacrifice, this is your spiritual service of worship