When true worship decreases what usually increases?
(Deut. 10:17-21; Psa. 115:1-8; 146:5-10; Isa. 1:10-17; 58:1-14; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Mark 12:38-40) Blog 04-10 Aug, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of others. When he delivered his people from Egyptian slavery he gave them instructions on how to love others and himself including a Sabbath rest with a special blessing for the poor, the unfortunate, the stranger, and all humanity. Psalms and Proverbs tell us that God helps the poor and the needy and we honor him by doing the same. God’s true prophets confronted rulers, judges and pastors when they neglected or mistreated the poor, needy, fatherless, or widows.
What, Why, and How (1 Chron. 16:8-10, 23-30; Psa. 146:5-10; Eph. 5:19-20; Deut. 10:17-21)
1. What is worship? Worship means to give worth or value to something or someone.
2. Why does2 Kings 17:36-38 say we should worship God? Because he has delivered us.
3. Why does Revelation 14:7 say we should worship God? Because he created us.
4. What does Deuteronomy 26:10 say should be part of our worship to God? Bringing offerings.
5. What does 1 Chronicles 16:8-10 include in true worship? Giving God thanks, making known his deeds, singing psalms unto him, talking of all his wondrous works, glorying in his holy character, & generally rejoicing in the LORD.
6. What does Psalm 95:6 say should be part of our worship to God? Prayer.
7. What does Jeremiah 7:2 say should be part of our worship to God? Scripture reading.
8. What does Matthew 4:10 say should be part of our worship to God? Service to him.
9. If true worship includes service to God what does Deuteronomy 10:17-21 say that includes? Service to God includes treating others without prejudice, being fair to everyone, and helping the fatherless, widow & strangers in providing them food & clothing – this is obeying the Ten Commandments.
10. If God gives us an example of true service in Psalm 146:5-10, what things should we be doing to give God worth? We worship God (give God value) by being truthful, acting in behalf of the oppressed, giving food to the hungry, freeing prisoners, opening blind eyes, encouraging the depressed, and by helping strangers, the fatherless, & widows.
Displeasing Worship (Psa. 115:1-7; Amos 5:21-24; Matt. 23:23; Mark 12:38-40; John 4:23-24)
11. In Isaiah 1:10-17 and Amos 5:21-24 what made the sacrifices, songs, incense, and prayers of his people disgusting to God? The fact that his people were being unfair in judgment, were not relieving the oppressed, didn’t work to aide strangers, & didn’t plead for the widows.
12. In Isaiah 58:1-12 what were God’s people doing that did not please him? They were fasting for show & thinking about themselves instead of about God in their worship.
13. In Isaiah 58:6-12 what form of self-denial does God prefer over fasting? That his people would deny themselves by spending time helping others – delivering people from sinful habits, helping the oppressed, feeding the hungry, taking the poor into their homes, & providing clothing for those in need.
14. What are the characteristics of the kind of gods most people prefer according to Psalm 115:1-7 and why do people like that kind of gods? They don’t speak to you of your sin, they don’t see your behavior, they don’t hear what you say, they don’t smell your uncleanness, they can’t discipline nor save with their hands, & they can’t walk into your life. People like gods like that because they can live as they please without interruptions.
15.The absence of either of what two aspects of worship that Jesus emphasized to the woman at the well brings grief rather than joy to the heart of God? The aspects of spirit & of truth (form).
16. Where does the New Testament quote from Psalm 40:6-8 and what is it saying? In Hebrews 10:5-10 and it is saying that even the God-ordained forms of Old Covenant worship are not as an important form of worship as is doing God’s will as expressed in the Ten Commandments
17. When true worship decreases what usually increases? External forms, ceremonies, & talk.