UNCOMPROMISING WORSHIP
Top Ten Life Hacks – Part 2
“You shall not make any idols, you must never bow to an image or worship it in any way.”
Exodus 20:4-5 (NIV)
“God alone is to be worshipped. It is with this word that our Lord resisted one of Satan’s temptations: You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” When we come together it is to worship God. Everything else really rests upon this. Whatever we may do, in worship, if it is not directed to the worship of God, no matter how decorous and embellished our exercises may be, then it is not worship. If we go to the House of God simply because it is custom or to fill up a quota of exercises, then we are not worshipping God.” – John Murray
“You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape…” Deuteronomy 4:15-16 (NIV)
15 Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself,
the God and Savior of Israel.
16 All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced;
they will go off into disgrace together.
17 But Israel will be saved by the Lord
with an everlasting salvation;
you will never be put to shame or disgraced,
to ages everlasting. Isaiah 45:15-17 (NIV)
“If you don’t see the greatness of God then all the things that money can buy become very exciting. If you can’t see the sun you will be impressed with a street light. If you’ve never felt thunder and lightning you’ll be impressed with fireworks. And if you turn your back on the greatness and majesty of God you’ll fall in love with a world of shadows and short-lived pleasures.” — John Piper
1. DON’T CONFUSE THE CREATURE FOR THE CREATOR!
“Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you…” Deuteronomy 4:40 (NIV)
Idols will let you down.
“Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols.
The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.” Jeremiah 10:14 (NIV)
Idols will lead you astray.
“When you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.” 1 Corinthians 12:2 (NIV)
Idols will disfigure you.
“Those who make [idols] will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” Psalms 115:8 (NIV)
2. WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:25 (NIV)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence? Psalms 139:7 (NIV)
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit. Psalms 147:5 (NIV)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Genesis 17:1 (NIV)
3. UNCOMPROMISING WORSHIP WILL SATISFY THE LONGING OF MY SOUL
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you….
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalms 63:3, 5 (NIV)