When I say the word worship, what comes to mind? Is it what happens at church? Is it a kind of music? Is it going to church? Is it studying and listening to the Word of God? Is it a noun or a verb? Over the next few weeks, I would like to explore our concepts of worship. Why? Because I believe our relationship with God directly affects every aspect of our life. Not just our church life, which I know that you would agree with me on, but every aspect of our lives. Our relationships with each other, our work, our financial decisions, even our recreation.
I want to challenge you a bit this morning by asking you to honestly evaluate your average Sunday morning. Do you roll out of bed with a sense of anticipation—or obligation? Do you fret about what you are going to wear to church—whether it is appropriate or not? Is the atmosphere in your car on the way here pretty tense, and then it suddenly changes when you walk into the church? Do you like the early service because it leaves you the rest of the day to do other stuff? Do you wonder what to pray about during silent prayer? Do you leave church without having sensed the presence of God?
I’d like to invite you to turn in your Bibles with me this morning to Isaiah, chapter 1. In this passage God calls out to the heavens and the earth and tells all creation that he has rejected the nation of Israel—his children, his chosen people. He then turns his address to the people of Israel and tells them why and what they must do to remedy the situation.
The problem is that we don’t have to stretch too far, theologically speaking, to put those who follow Jesus Christ—those who have been grafted into the vine, in the same position. We can look at what Isaiah refers to as the nation of Israel, and substitute our name or denomination or even church in the text.
Look with me at vss. 11-15. The people were doing everything they thought they were supposed to do. They were making sacrifices, on schedule, for all the things that they were supposed to. They were tithing! They were following the law laid down for them—why would God refuse their sacrifices? Because right acts from wrong hearts are never acceptable to God. Even the right form is unacceptable if they are merely forms—their sacrifices were not made from a repentant heart, their were to spare themselves the punishment of God—that’s nothing more than bribery, and you can’t bribe God.
They were observing the special holidays: for us that might be observing Lent or Advent, or even making sure we come to church most Sundays. Yet God was tired of it because they were simply following the law, not truly worshiping.
They were even praying. And God said Yet God wants more than just going through the motions. What God was rejecting here was mechanically responding to what we have been told that we are supposed to do.
God wants more.
God desires a change of mind. Look at vs. 16. Isaiah tells them to “stop all this evil.” They are to wash and make themselves clean. This isn’t a change in the order of worship—it was a change in them—on the inside—that makes their worship acceptable to God.
God desires a change in action—specifically to help those who are oppressed, to give orphans theirrights, and to defend widows—actions of justice. This is not just stop what you’re doing, it is stop doing evil, and do what is right and just.
God desires a change of heart. God said “Let’s settle the matter” You are stained with sin—deeper and darker than any dye or color. But God holds the door open and says “I will wash you clean.” Yet there is a change of heart required—The Good News Version says “If you will only obey me…,” but every other version out there adds more depth to it. God tells the people “if you are willing and obedient.” . In contrast, He tells them that they will not prosper if they “refuse and rebel.” Feel the difference there? Their hearts had to be right—not just their actions. Think about what Jesus said in Matthew 7:22—that many will say, “Lord, Lord, in your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!” But God will turn them away—I never knew you.
So its not the offering, the sermon, the music, or even the fellowship with each other that make what we do on Sunday morning worship. It is not the bulletin style, the order of worship, whether we pray the Lord’s Prayer, or anything like that. It is what is in YOUR heart. Worship is not a matter of what you do as much as it is a matter of who you are.
Look at it this way. If you were going to visit the President of the United States, you wouldn’t just show up would you? Wouldn’t you want to be informed, to ask good questions, be prepared to have a conversation? Well, you are meeting here with the Creator of the Universe—shouldn’t he get at least as much preparation?
So how do we prepare? Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior for the forgiveness of your sins? That’s the washing Isaiah refers to, and because of Jesus we know what he meant. Second, closely examine yourself—better yet, ask God to reveal to you the things which separate you in worship. Pray the prayer of David (Psalm 139:23-24), “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Think about the songs you sing. Consider the words and make them the prayer of your heart. Join in the prayers of others. As you hear their requests, join with them in lifting them up to God. Show how you value God’s word—pay attention to what the Word says—in study, or even listening to a sermon, take notes. I’ve given you some other ideas that might take you a little deeper there on the bulletin. Consider your heart and live out your worship.
One final thing—don’t leave today without getting something out of worship—and remember you get out what you put in. Put in your heart.
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