Lips, Heart and the Word of God Increasing our understanding of sincere worship.

Lips, Heart and the Word of God

Lips, Heart and the Word of God

Increasing our understanding of sincere

worship

Increasing our understanding of sincere

worship

IntroductionIntroduction

1.Is worship a wise investment of your time?2.Is worship a wise investment of your

material things?3.Is true worship the highest and noblest

activity of which man is capable?4.Does all worship please God?

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Isaiah 29:13Isaiah 29:13

Therefore the Lord said:

"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 commandment of men...."

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Isaiah 29:14Isaiah 29:14

"Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work

Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men

shall perish, And the understanding of their

prudent men shall be hidden."

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Matthew 15:9Matthew 15:9

"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.'"

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1.Is worship a wise investment of your time?2.Is worship a wise investment of your

material things?3.Is true worship the highest and noblest

activity of which man is capable?4.Does all worship please God?

a.The people of Isaiah’s day were not true worshipers.

b.The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were not true worshipers.

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5.The choice before us is to worship in spirit and in truth, to worship in vain or not to worship at all.

6.Our worship will either be from the lips alone or from the heart also.

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Form vs. FaithForm vs. Faith

A.The Pharisees were strong advocates of tradition.

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Matthew 15:1-2Matthew 15:1-2

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."

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B.Much emphasis was given to externals.

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Mark 7:3-4, 8Mark 7:3-4, 8

For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.... "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

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B.Much emphasis was given to externals.C.Worship must be of faith.

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Romans 14:23Romans 14:23

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

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Romans 10:17Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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B.Much emphasis was given to externals.C.Worship must be of faith.

1.Therefore we must go to God’s word to know how to worship.

2.We cannot learn the art of worship by following the doctrines of men.a.Instrumental music in worship.b.Eating the Lord’s Supper monthly,

quarterly or annually.15

Show vs. SincerityShow vs. Sincerity

A. Some wanted to be seen of men.1.Their benevolence was in order to win

men's applause.

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"Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

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men's applause. 2.They prayed to be heard of men.

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"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

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men's applause. 2.They prayed to be heard of men.

B. Beware of worship that emphasizes:1.The emotions to the neglect, or

rejection, of the mind.2.Aesthetics to the minimizing of the truth.

C. We must come to worship with sincere hearts.

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Psalm 51:16-17

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise.

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D. We must enter into all phases of worship with our hearts.1.To Pharisees worship was ritual,

ceremony.2.To Jesus worship was the action of a

clean heart and a loving life.

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Hypocrisy vs. Holiness

A. Jesus called worshippers "hypocrites." "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:" (Matt. 15:7).

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A. Jesus called worshippers "hypocrites."1.The word "hypocrite" originally meant

a play actor.2.God wants worshippers who will show

reverence for Him in life.B. Pharisees could carry out the ritual,

but their hearts were full of greed, pride.C. God has never accepted the

sacrifices of those who were living in rebellion of his law.

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but their hearts were full of greed, pride.C. God has never accepted the sacrifices

of those who were living in rebellion of his law.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. (Proverbs 15:8)

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sacrifices of those who were living in rebellion of his law. 1.Who shall come into the Lord's holy

place?

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Psalm 24:3-5Psalm 24:3-5

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

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A. Jesus called worshippers "hypocrites". 1.The word "hypocrite" originally meant




sacrifices of those who were living in rebellion of his law. 1.Who shall come into Lord's holy place? 2.Amos called for holiness.

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Amos 5:21-24Amos 5:21-24

"I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream."

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D. Human relationships are very important to true worship.1.How children care for parents.

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Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'

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But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"-- then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."

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D. Human relationships are very important to true worship.1.How children care for parents. 2.How a husband treats his wife.

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1 Peter 3:71 Peter 3:7

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

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Hypocrisy vs. HolinessHypocrisy vs. Holiness

D. Human relationships are very important to true worship.1.How children care for parents. 2.How a husband treats his wife.

E.Edwin Markham's statement about poetry would apply to worship poetry (songs) --"Come, Let Us Live the Poetry We Sing!"1.Can we honestly sing - "Take My Life and

Let It Be…."?2.Or, "I Want To Be A Worker For the

Lord"? 35

Lips, Heart and the Word of God Increasing our understanding of sincere worship.

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Transcript of Lips, Heart and the Word of God Increasing our understanding of sincere worship.