Concerning Worship (Part 2 of 2)

If you ever found yourself just going through the motions of worship, you look the part. You say the right words.

You know the lyrics to all of the songs, but your heart is just not engage. So what we do to revive our zeal. They untruthful. I baluster Becky explains what is often at the core of chemical worship when Ecclesiastes chapter 5 verses one through seven.

That is how you need to understand loved ones what happens when we come together and worship any holiness that attaches to the place, and leaves with the presence of the holy ones. Namely, it also means set apart in God's service.

So the family is what makes this place what it is that is why the place would become special to us in our reflection and in our anticipation, not because of the special nature of the structure but because of the unique nature of what takes place within the structure so Ecclesiastes 5 the picture of the Solomon's Temple and Ephesians chapter 2 is to get a grasp of what were dealing with today. Now, in light of that, we can then observe the instruction carefully for words for statements will help us get through this little section of the text. The first one is the opening phrase of the chapter guard your steps.

Do you think you can spend all of Saturday on yourself and idle pursuits go to bed late with your head full of nonsense waking up slovenly drag yourself finally into this building and discover that as a result of somebody reading two verses from the book of Psalms. Hey presto you just became a spirit filled worshiper. If you think that you need to think again. Preparation is absolutely crucial in the process and the way we spend our waking moments on the Lord's day sets the stall for the day. So this morning I drove here and there earlier this morning I was listening to my friend from Scotland reading Philippians chapter 3 is a turnout and beginning to preach in Philippians 3. Why so that I might prepare so that I might prepare.

I can press a button any more than you. If I am carrying a glassful of water you bump into me or spills out his water right for a glass of Coke you bump into me was pulls out his Coke and when you and I bump into one another, or spills out his words and is about preparation. It's about guarding our steps engulfing terms is about alignment is about set up so how you approach what you're about to do. Now let me read from another Bible they've tells a short game Bible for those of you who doubt this wasn't what he says about alignment. He says in golf vocabulary.

My term setup alignment and body alignment and address are all related to the same thing in every game of golf. If you align your body improperly. Your instincts will subconsciously make swing compensations intended to hit the shot in the desired direction. Okay, so if you stand up to it wrongly, your brain knows that and then your brain says you don't want to go down that line and it sends messages to the other parts of your body trying to fix the fact that you are said incorrect aim correctly says and it's easier to make good swings because from a good position. Good swings because good results aim poorly and a good swing will hit a bad shot.

So you have to make compensations to produce the desired results. So when you and I don't guard our steps. We don't take the proper address. While we don't stand up to the thing properly then we will be forced to make compensations all away down the swing plane in order to effect the desired result, so it is very important to go just secondly and more briefly what your mouth watch your mouth is now verse two cents.

Do not be quick with your mouth, mentally and verbally. Each of us is in the center of our universe filtering everything through how it affects us as selfish, so the writer says, remember this gods in heaven and you are on earth, so you might want to just not talk as much as you been doing. You might not want to try and dribble out with all your verbal evangelical clichés to try and impress your friends and neighbors all blessings and almighty and I kindness and soul of thy goodness. And by the result of sin appears at what the world these people on about what all that stuff all she must be very holy. Did you hear the way she said all the Almighty blessing of thy kindness and super for those result with his own. You might want to watch your mouth and I want to consider the infinite qualitative distinction between God and us the infinite qualitative distinction is as far removed as anything we could conceive God is infinite. We are finite. He's an immortal. We are mortal. He is invisible. We are visible. He spirit where fletch he is Almighty, we are weak he is holy.

We are sinful.

He's pure weird impure. He's omniscient. We are ignorant.

He's unchangeable. We are fickle. He's faithful we're unfaithful he is love in all of its fullness, and we are at best partial in our life and what the writer is warning against. Here is the meaninglessness of mechanical worship. The meaninglessness of mechanical worship access of talk is virtually bound to throw up folly.

I think that's the whole point of verse three is a dream comes when there are many cares so the speech of a fool when there are many words in verse seven. Much dreaming in many words there meaninglessness choices you should beware because God sees the invisible, and he hears the inaudible. God does not listen to this exercise in praise and study and application through the speakers here and listen to our prayers, as it were through the microphone.

He listens to what's going on through a stethoscope that he places on our chests or on our backs and through which he hears what's really happening on the inside irrespective all the ambient noise irrespective of everything that we where going to present to the outside. When the physician takes you and he says breathing and breathe out. Aha ha ha ha.

What is that presumably is getting information that makes them say and when God looks upon us as worshipers, heaters, and listen to us through the speakers.

He listens to us through the stethoscope. Therefore, it is vitally important that in the way in which we use words were not using words in quantity to cover up the quality of our desire to praise. While most classic illustrations of verbal doodling that I have found ever and have noted in my files came out of it. In the British Irish conflict of some years ago when there was a great discussion taking place as to whether it was legitimate for talks to take place between the paramilitary organization represented in the Irish Republican Army and the British government itself, and a great political funeral only erupted about whether the British government was actually having talks on.

Also, the government were not having talks we may be having discussions but were not having taught us and one for soul was asked to represent the government's position in relationship to this very subtle distinction and this is a direct quote from him speaking on the radio and then they put it in the London Times. He said we believe that it should be possible to have discussions to see whether it is possible to have talks but during this period in which we see whether such discussions can be held to see whether there is a basis on which talks can go forward.

These talks are being entered into by either side with no precondition and that is quite clearly understood by either something were not talking about talks. We are talking about quite separate discussion probably conducted at a lower level exploratory discussion to see if a basis exists on which talks might then be held feeling on what was that God looks down on our worship releases will was larger steps what your mouth's QB revolves verse four.

When you make a vow to God. Don't delay in fulfilling tears in danger and worship you come to worship in the word of God speaks to and as a result of that, you tell God something about yourself is what I'm going to do God, in response to what I've heard today and you don't have to add something entirely voluntary. So you tell them about your life or your finance or your future your career you that I'm willing to ditch this girl are have this girl ditched me because she's unhelpful to me.

This friendship is unhelpful. This place is unwise, and so on, and I'm telling you today Lord as I sing this final song that I am done with this or I'm committed to that, I made my vow to you while and says the preacher, make sure two things don't happen one verse four.

Make sure you don't delay in fulfilling it. And number two. Make sure you don't deny the fight you made it verse six.

I don't of time to pause here for some of you have made vows to God in the past is what I'm going to do and this is what I plan to do and so on and and weeks and months, and perhaps even years have elapsed. And somehow or another you find yourself grinding in the process of self seeking to follow him up against. It is a web all the time. The wall is too high. The track is too long. The challenge is too great and you wonder why it is check just to see whether somewhere in your journey you didn't see to God. Listen, I promised my life to you. I promise this to you delayed on it now. When pressed, you say what I was actually a mistake.

I didn't mean to say what I said, well, today is another opportunity. Another opportunity to make good on your promises. Always keep your promises especially when you make them to God. Finally, our opening phrase was the opening phrase are closing phrases. The closing phrase. Guard your steps what your mouth, keep your vows and stand in awe stand in awe, AWB.

Remember that word for the next time you're playing Scrabble is very useful and then go and look it up in a dictionary, a good dictionary will discover that it is a synonym for reverential fear is not a synonym for terror terror is the reaction of guilt in the face of God's holiness is the desire only to run away from God in despair what the writer is urging upon those who are involved in the gathered worship here is not some kind of terror that drives them away from God know he wants them to stand in the fear of God is going to make that clear before he finishes his book to fear God for these individuals to stand in awe of God would be to be filled with a sense of breathtaking all at the character of God to realize with shame that although we had been created to live in his image that by our sin, we have forfeited that privilege. We have forfeited our destiny it is to recognize that we have suddenly begun to discover the costly way in which the image of God would then be restored in the life of his creation that because our image has been the image of God is been marred by sin.

God is a remedy send his son to die on the cross in order that we entering into the benefits of his death may now be made into the perfect picture of all that God desires for us to be intermittently and falls willingly but eventually coming to Gloria's fruition. When we stand before God. That's kind of all results from the discovery that God knows me through and through and he knows the sin in my life and the means to destroy it, and the remainder reasoning means to destroy it, and sometimes his mighty sword as he does his mighty painful as he comes to us like a surgeon with a scalpel, but he doesn't because he loves us with an intensely faithful love and this is the weird extreme paradox of God that he detests sin in us more than we were ever prepared to admit I judge he loves us in Christ more than we can ever imagine.

And so the psalmist is able to grapple with it, and he says with you there is forgiveness. Therefore, you are to be feared with you there is forgiveness.

Therefore, you are to be feared is not a misprint in the Bible shouldn't be with you there is forgiveness.

Therefore, you don't have to be feared nor with you that is forgiveness. Therefore, I stand in awe of you. We began there, did we not if you all are to keep a record of our sins which otherwise would stand. None of us so his gorgeous wing can send busy just overlook it. No, because he is a just God and must be punished and they are in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ all of God's justice is brought to bear.

And all of God's love is made manifest, and when my soul begins to grapple with this, that you seed to the very core of me that you know all that needs to be sorted in me, and yet you love me with you. That is forgiveness for God.

I stand in awe of you. My sin all the bliss of this glorious thought my sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross. I stand in awe of you. I don't run out in sin, like a crazy person I don't run out and abuse your name. I don't play short and fast and loose with the promises and laws of God because I'm in awe of you in such filial fear because that's what it is not servile fear they did the reformers did distinguish between servile fear which is the terror in confronting guild and running away in despair with filial fear EA if you understand filial fear. Let me tell you what filial fear means filial fear induced in our lives, always asks one essential question of any decision any activity. One question will father approved as a course. That's when I know I fear God. That's when I know that I want so much to live under his smile and I dread to live under his frown that when I'm making decisions about my life and about opportunities, about the way I spend my weekends in the way I spend my money and with whom I spend my time if I will simply pause and ask this question will father approved and then make a decision on the basis of that then all will be changed because this same father is the father who accepts whatever we do out of love for him, however crummy it is this father accepts whatever we do out of love for him, however crummy it is, you know, looking for worshipers that are perfect is live for worshipers that are humble and honest in all looking for servants that are just the past she's looking for humble servants. He treats our crummy contributions. The way in which we as earthly fathers treat our own children's faltering crummy contributions is not why you have a box somewhere or boxes somewhere with little scribbles in and little drawings in and little things that were done during the church services when you are trying to get them to listen and they wouldn't listen and they were drawing pictures of whoever they were drawing. My kids are drawing pictures of me and the lady of the computer but anyway I have them in the box I take them out and look at them as if they were as if they were drawings by Rembrandt. They mean that much to me why because although they were faltering in a not particularly good.

They were offered to me in love by those who are the objects of my affection get some of you here this morning so I don't like this kind of Christianity. This is the sphere stuff is not the Old Testament.

The fear of God, you know, I thought we were in the New Testament.

Now listen listen Jesus said don't be afraid of the people that can kill your body be afraid of him who can cast your soul down into hell that was not some raging word from the fires of signee I that was the word from the lips of Jesus, the gentle loving Shepherd lease issues a word of warning.

Fear God in this way, and you will have nothing else to fear. Neglect to fear God in this way and you feel everything else the uncertainty of the future.

The reality of death.

The decisions of life. All of these things then become the occasion for manifold fear, but still people say no I don't want to have a God like that.

What kind of dog you want you want to follow God you can put on the dashboard of your car hello straining to move around with you putting your Bible put in your bedroom unmanageable God of non-refutable proportions such as God is useless. Who's going to worship that which were not in all. We only worship that which is majestic and and fantastic some little God manageable little God that we carry around with us.

No, no fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

God your steps. Watch your mouth.

Keep your promises stand in all will father simple and helpful question to ask ourselves as we wrestle with daily decisions were listing to Alistair Begg on Truth for Life and keep listing Alister's can be right back. It's reassuring for us to know that God isn't looking for perfect worshipers. As we learned today. The more we understand about our sinful selves and are wholly infinite Almighty God. The more we will stand in awe of him.

That's why our mission the Truth for Life is to teach the Bible every day we trust God will work through Alister's teaching of his word to convert unbelievers to increase the faith of those who already believe you plan to encourage pastors to proclaim God's word boldly when you pray for Truth for Life and you donate to this ministry. This is the mission you're supporting your gift goes toward distributing this program also helps offset the cost of making Alister's online teaching library available for free to thank you for your donation.

We invite you to request a copy of the book living life backward.

This is a book that draws from Ecclesiastes to teach us how to live a meaningful life by fearlessly facing the reality of death.

This is a great book for everyone regardless of age or stage of life, you'll learn how to redefine what it means to live the good life rather than fearing death. You'll discover how to make every moment count as you look forward to eternity. Today's the last day were making living life backward available so you can give your donation online the Truth for Life.org/donate or call us at 88858878841 more thing, if you don't currently subscribe to the Truth for Life daily devotional. You can sign up today for free when you do, you'll receive a daily email with the passage of Scripture and the corresponding commentary from Alister the daily devotional is a great way to start or end your day reflecting on God's word. To subscribe, go to Truth for Life.org/lists. Now here's Alister to close with prayer. Father, we thank you this morning for guiding our steps to this place and we thank you for your word which is clear. Granted, anything that I've said which is unclear or untrue or unhelpful may be banished from our recollection and all that is off yourself that we will be unable to evade it and that we will be able to enjoy it and grant that these simple principles may increasingly become the hallmark of our lives. Help us Lord to understand what it means to stand in awe of you and Bob Lapine hope you enjoy your weekend and are able to worship with your local church. Most of us long for fun times and for success on Monday, however, will find out why hard times and failure can often bring greater listen. The Bible teaching of Alistair Begg is furnished by Truth for Life Learning is for Living