Worship Sermon Series
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (NLT)
5 As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
3 Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 6 Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.7 Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.
Gathered worship necessitates preparation. You would not barge into the President's office unannounced and unprepared, neither should we with God. So what are the procedures for calling on God.
Intro:
As you enter a church sanctuary look at the faces. A few are happy, a couple are cranky, but by and large we are content. Content to be there. Content to sit and look straight ahead and leave when the service is over. Content to endure. Content with the mundane. Content with a "nice" service.
A few, however, seek more.
The destination of worship is to meet God. As with any journey we need to make the proper preparations so that we experience God rather than endure worship.
Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the world, writing thousands of years ago, gives us some instructions in order to encounter the God of the universe when we come into his house.
I. Get prepared to meet God
Solomon wrote, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.” Eccl. 5:1
The NIV says “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”
One rendering of this verse is: "Watch your feet when you go to the house of God."
The phrase guard your steps means to proceed with reverence. Perhaps tip toeing into the presence of God. We come with care and caution. We approach God with the same care as Moses when he encountered God in a burning bush and took off his shoes. He was on holy ground, and he knew it.
I Remember hearing as a kid the words, "No running in church?" The sanctuary is a place of reverence. Physically we may not be running when we meet God, but spiritually, emotionally, and mentally we should be.
We "do church" as many "do lunch," casually and unprepared. Our hearts and minds don't show profound awe and respect. We don't anticipate God's presence or voice. Consequently, we're unable to experience the presence of God that will stir our souls, change our lives, and satisfy our hunger for meaning.
So, Pray before you come so you will be ready to pray when you arrive. Sleep before you come so you will stay alert when you arrive. Read the Word before you come so your heart will be soft when you worship. Come hungry. Come willing. Come expecting God to speak. Come anticipating a memorable experience with the Creator of the universe.
God does not want our mindless offerings. In other words, he does not want our coming to church just out of routine, just coming because you have to or just coming to check the block.
Ps. 51:16-19 ou do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 18 Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
(Be sure to share some personal experiences of how you prepare for gathered worship through out the week)
II. Listen to God
One man said he and his wife had words but he never got a chance to use his. I think God often feels the same way.
We often show up to worship after a mad dash from home. World War III has just occurred with spouse and children in the car. A few choice words is said under our breath to the guy who cut us off in traffic. We stroll into the sanctuary and find our seat. "Whew, no one took my seat this morning." We start looking around to see who is present. And before we know it the preacher is preaching and we are wondering why we didn't sing any songs we liked this morning. Before we know it the serve is over but minds were somewhere else. We were not listening.
Solomon offers further instructions for experiencing God in worship:
5:1b-2 …keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
Think about it: When we come to Gathered worship, we have come to meet with God - the living God - who has one agenda to meet with us. When we come to meet with God we would be well advised to let him do the talking. God wants to communicate with us. But often times we want to tell God our opinion or view of things.
And in gathered worship it is important to have an environment where we can listen to God and where others can listen to God. Don't be a distraction or hinders other from listening to God. This is not a time for others tasks
III. Humble yourself before God
Solomon continued, "After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few." (Eccl. 5:2).
In actuality, this is a statement of perspective, not distance. God is in the realm of the infinite. He hears the inaudible and sees the invisible.
Here's the point: God is God and we aren't. God is in heaven and we are on earth. God is Lord and we are his slaves.
As we prepare for worship, remember that we are to approach God in a stature of humility. We bow before him. We fall before him.
Like Isaiah when he experienced the presence of God, he bowed before God and said, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple" (Isa. 6:1).
To be in God’s presence should produces only one response: awe.
When we encounter the very presence of God we begin to see life from his perspective.
IV. Be honest before God
Solomon wrote, "When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it." (Eccl. 5:4-5).
In other words, keep your word. Words may not mean much to us, but they mean a lot to God. In God's eyes, a promise is a promise. You vowed it, you keep it.
Consider for a moment the promises you made to God when you were in worship? "Oh, God, if you'll get me out of this predicament, I'll serve you." "Lord, if you'll just help me do this one thing, I'm going to start coming to church more often." "Yes, Lord I promise to give you ten percent of all my earnings."
"I promise to remain morally pure for my marriage partner." "I pledge before this congregation with my baby in my arms to rear that child God's way." "Yes, Lord, I will be a missionary and give my life to you on the mission field." What promises with your Time, Talent, Testimony, & Treasure have you made to God and not kept?
When we make a commitment to God, we must keep it because God believes it and doesn't forget it. When making a commitment are you a chicken or a pig?
In a bacon and egg breakfast, what's the difference between the chicken and the pig?
Answer: The chicken is involved, but the pig is COMMITTED!
When you go to worship, it would be better not to vow at all, then to fail to keep your word with God.
John 9:31 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.
When you do not keep your vow you are a liar, don’t make vows you are not going to keep, let your yes be yes and your no be no..
Part of being honest with God is repenting before you come to worship. Because sin separates us from God so if we are going to worship with him we need to be in right relationship with Him.
V. Be Reverent before God
Solomon concluded this section, "Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead." (Eccl. 5:7).
To fear God does not mean dread or terror; it means holy awe and respect. In other words, we revere God.
There was a church sign that advertised one of its worship services with a statement that read: "Casual Worship 9:30 AM." I know that they were trying to communicate that their worship service was casual dress and informal. But from Solomon's writings, and, I believe, all of scripture teaches, that nothing is casual about worship.
Far too often, we take God too lightly. We approach him in a trite and casual fashion. We think of God as our buddy or our pal. But this is the eternal God of the universe who has a claim on our lives because he has placed eternity within our hearts. We're to approach him with respect and reverence.
Let's stop playing games with God. Make no mistake about it: God loves fun and laughter. He delights in people who have a sense of humor. But, worship is serious business. We approach God with respect and awe.
Conclusion
Worship is not an endurance contest, but a marvelous adventure into the presence of the God of the universe. It is not business as usual, but a wonder-filled ride into a new dimension of life. It is not a mundane trip, but a memorable one. And on that journey our reaction will not be simply, "nice trip," but "Awesome."
5 As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
3 Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 6 Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.7 Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.
Gathered worship necessitates preparation. You would not barge into the President's office unannounced and unprepared, neither should we with God. So what are the procedures for calling on God.
Intro:
As you enter a church sanctuary look at the faces. A few are happy, a couple are cranky, but by and large we are content. Content to be there. Content to sit and look straight ahead and leave when the service is over. Content to endure. Content with the mundane. Content with a "nice" service.
A few, however, seek more.
The destination of worship is to meet God. As with any journey we need to make the proper preparations so that we experience God rather than endure worship.
Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the world, writing thousands of years ago, gives us some instructions in order to encounter the God of the universe when we come into his house.
I. Get prepared to meet God
Solomon wrote, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.” Eccl. 5:1
The NIV says “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”
One rendering of this verse is: "Watch your feet when you go to the house of God."
The phrase guard your steps means to proceed with reverence. Perhaps tip toeing into the presence of God. We come with care and caution. We approach God with the same care as Moses when he encountered God in a burning bush and took off his shoes. He was on holy ground, and he knew it.
I Remember hearing as a kid the words, "No running in church?" The sanctuary is a place of reverence. Physically we may not be running when we meet God, but spiritually, emotionally, and mentally we should be.
We "do church" as many "do lunch," casually and unprepared. Our hearts and minds don't show profound awe and respect. We don't anticipate God's presence or voice. Consequently, we're unable to experience the presence of God that will stir our souls, change our lives, and satisfy our hunger for meaning.
So, Pray before you come so you will be ready to pray when you arrive. Sleep before you come so you will stay alert when you arrive. Read the Word before you come so your heart will be soft when you worship. Come hungry. Come willing. Come expecting God to speak. Come anticipating a memorable experience with the Creator of the universe.
God does not want our mindless offerings. In other words, he does not want our coming to church just out of routine, just coming because you have to or just coming to check the block.
Ps. 51:16-19 ou do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 18 Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
(Be sure to share some personal experiences of how you prepare for gathered worship through out the week)
II. Listen to God
One man said he and his wife had words but he never got a chance to use his. I think God often feels the same way.
We often show up to worship after a mad dash from home. World War III has just occurred with spouse and children in the car. A few choice words is said under our breath to the guy who cut us off in traffic. We stroll into the sanctuary and find our seat. "Whew, no one took my seat this morning." We start looking around to see who is present. And before we know it the preacher is preaching and we are wondering why we didn't sing any songs we liked this morning. Before we know it the serve is over but minds were somewhere else. We were not listening.
Solomon offers further instructions for experiencing God in worship:
5:1b-2 …keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
Think about it: When we come to Gathered worship, we have come to meet with God - the living God - who has one agenda to meet with us. When we come to meet with God we would be well advised to let him do the talking. God wants to communicate with us. But often times we want to tell God our opinion or view of things.
And in gathered worship it is important to have an environment where we can listen to God and where others can listen to God. Don't be a distraction or hinders other from listening to God. This is not a time for others tasks
III. Humble yourself before God
Solomon continued, "After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few." (Eccl. 5:2).
In actuality, this is a statement of perspective, not distance. God is in the realm of the infinite. He hears the inaudible and sees the invisible.
Here's the point: God is God and we aren't. God is in heaven and we are on earth. God is Lord and we are his slaves.
As we prepare for worship, remember that we are to approach God in a stature of humility. We bow before him. We fall before him.
Like Isaiah when he experienced the presence of God, he bowed before God and said, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple" (Isa. 6:1).
To be in God’s presence should produces only one response: awe.
When we encounter the very presence of God we begin to see life from his perspective.
IV. Be honest before God
Solomon wrote, "When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it." (Eccl. 5:4-5).
In other words, keep your word. Words may not mean much to us, but they mean a lot to God. In God's eyes, a promise is a promise. You vowed it, you keep it.
Consider for a moment the promises you made to God when you were in worship? "Oh, God, if you'll get me out of this predicament, I'll serve you." "Lord, if you'll just help me do this one thing, I'm going to start coming to church more often." "Yes, Lord I promise to give you ten percent of all my earnings."
"I promise to remain morally pure for my marriage partner." "I pledge before this congregation with my baby in my arms to rear that child God's way." "Yes, Lord, I will be a missionary and give my life to you on the mission field." What promises with your Time, Talent, Testimony, & Treasure have you made to God and not kept?
When we make a commitment to God, we must keep it because God believes it and doesn't forget it. When making a commitment are you a chicken or a pig?
In a bacon and egg breakfast, what's the difference between the chicken and the pig?
Answer: The chicken is involved, but the pig is COMMITTED!
When you go to worship, it would be better not to vow at all, then to fail to keep your word with God.
John 9:31 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.
When you do not keep your vow you are a liar, don’t make vows you are not going to keep, let your yes be yes and your no be no..
Part of being honest with God is repenting before you come to worship. Because sin separates us from God so if we are going to worship with him we need to be in right relationship with Him.
V. Be Reverent before God
Solomon concluded this section, "Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead." (Eccl. 5:7).
To fear God does not mean dread or terror; it means holy awe and respect. In other words, we revere God.
There was a church sign that advertised one of its worship services with a statement that read: "Casual Worship 9:30 AM." I know that they were trying to communicate that their worship service was casual dress and informal. But from Solomon's writings, and, I believe, all of scripture teaches, that nothing is casual about worship.
Far too often, we take God too lightly. We approach him in a trite and casual fashion. We think of God as our buddy or our pal. But this is the eternal God of the universe who has a claim on our lives because he has placed eternity within our hearts. We're to approach him with respect and reverence.
Let's stop playing games with God. Make no mistake about it: God loves fun and laughter. He delights in people who have a sense of humor. But, worship is serious business. We approach God with respect and awe.
Conclusion
Worship is not an endurance contest, but a marvelous adventure into the presence of the God of the universe. It is not business as usual, but a wonder-filled ride into a new dimension of life. It is not a mundane trip, but a memorable one. And on that journey our reaction will not be simply, "nice trip," but "Awesome."