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Who's Worship Will God Accept? Introduction: Who's worship will God accept is an important question? Perhaps another way of asking this question is, "Who are in fellowship with God?" For God will only accept the worship of those in His fellowship. There are many different forms or types of worship being offered today. Different people are leading the Lord's people in worship. One time I was talking to a member of an institutional church in a nearby town. They had a worship where the Baptist lead the singing, the Methodist did the preaching, and the "church of Christ" took care of the Lord's Supper. Therefore, we must ask the question of "who's worship will God accept?" and, "who are we to be in fellowship with?" I) The Question is Not: Who Is To Worship God? A) All of the earth (mankind) is to worship and serve God. 1. God has authority over all of mankind, Hab. 2.20 2. Every person is subject to God's Law and His judgment, Matthew 28.18; Phil. 2.9-11 B) But we cannot assume that God will accept our worship. 1. Most people just assume God will accept whatever they want to do as "worship." 2. Most people assume their relationship with God allows them to "worship" Him. II) What Our Question Does Deal With A) Not all worship is accepted by Him. Amos 5.21-22 1. Warning given to Israel about building images and altars in their worship, Exodus 20.4; Deut. 12.1,31 2. King Saul sought to act as a priest and offer a sacrifice (worship) to God, 1 Samuel 13.7-13; 15.21-22 3. Only the priest could offer the sacrifice and they could only do it in the way God specified, Lev. 10.1-3 B) Only God is to be worshipped, John 4.24 1. Man cannot create God in his own image. 2. We cannot worship angels, apostles, crystals, Mary as the Mother of God, mother earth and father sun, etc. Revelation 22.8-9 C) One must be in the right relationship with God 1. Not just anybody can offer acceptable worship to God a. During the Patriarchal Dispensation the heads of the families offered their sacrifices, Genesis 8.20-21. b. In the Law of Moses the Priesthood approached God on behalf of the people, Lev. 4.27-31 2. Today one must be a part of the royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2.5,9 a. Those who are not in a Covenant relationship with God are separated from God. b. They are still in their sins, Isaiah 59.1-2 c. God cannot and will not fellowship people in sin, 1 John 1.7. 3. One must be in Christ, it is His blood that washes away our sins, Titus 3.5; Ephesians 5.26; 1.7. a. What did the apostles first teach? Answer the Gospel b. They did not first teach the organization of the church, instrumental music, how to sing, how to pray; except in relation to our salvation. In other words they taught we must in spirit and truth. 4. People not in a covenant relationship (those outside of Christ) have never confessed Christ, repented of their sins, been baptized, or have not been faithful. D) Worship must be offered in the way God prescribes 1. Cain offered a sacrifice and God rejected it, Genesis 4.4-5 2. Our worship must be in truth. What does God require today? a. To sing spiritual songs, hymns, Colossians 3.16; Ephesians 5.19. To sing with understanding. b. To observe the Lords' Supper on the 1st day of the week, Acts 20.7 c. To pray with understanding, 1 Cor. 14.15 d. To give as we have prospered, 2 Cor. 8. & 9 3. God wants our heartfelt worship, with our mind and soul. a. Why do we not have children leading us in worship? b. They are not in a covenant relationship with God. c. They are either not capable of obeying the Gospel as of this time or they are capable and chosen not to do so. d. If they are not capable of obeying the Gospel they still need teaching. e. If they are capable then they are in their sins. Conclusion: Just because we offer our worship does not mean God will accept it. God will only accept the worship of His children. Are you in that number?
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