Acceptable Worship

1
Acceptable Worship
1 Peter 21-10
2
Acceptable Sacrifices

• We are priests
• No separate priesthood (1
  Peter 25)
• Privileged to serve (John 35 424)

3
Unacceptable Worshipers

• Cain (Genesis 4)
• Proper object God
• Wrong sacrifice (Hebrews
  114)

4
Unacceptable Worshipers

• Saul
• Proper object God
• Wrong person (1
  Samuel 1311, 12)
• Need to obey (1
  Samuel 1522, 23)

5
Vain Worship

• Human traditions
• Matthew 158, 9
• Acts 1722, 23
• Colossians 28, 23

6
Sacrifice

• Time, energy, talents, money
• Attend, if convenient
• Listen, but not for long
• Help, if there is time
• Give, if any is left over

No Sacrifice
7
Davids Example
Sacrifice

• His offering (2 Samuel 24)
• Offered a place free (vv. 18, 22)
• David insisted on paying (v. 24)
• Why? It would cost him nothing
• David knew about . . .

8
Sacrifice or Convenience?

• Hunger and thirst after righteousness? (Matthew
  56)
• Labor for imperishable meat? (John 627)

9
Preparation

• Under the Law of Moses
• Advance preparation
• Still required proper attitude, obedience, etc.
  (Micah 66-8)

10
Preparation

• Today
• Worship God (Matthew 410)
• Serious occasion (Psalm 897)
• Arrayed in holiness
  (Psalm 968, 9)

11
Preparation

• Ready to serve?
• Looked at the schedule
• Arrive on time?
• Left problems at home?

12
Reverence

• Proper attitude
• In spirit and truth (John 424)
• Not form only
  (Isaiah 110-15)
• Guard our hearts (Proverbs
  423)

13
Distractions

• Arriving late Priorities?
• Deuteronomy 3110-13
• Joshua 834, 35
• Excessive moving about
• Sleeping, passing notes, talking, etc.

14
Appearance

• Modesty
• Appropriate (1 Timothy 29)
• Josephs example (Genesis 4114)
• Would you have to dress up in order to go to
  work?
• Consider the GE Dress Code (Co-op students
  2003)

15
Ground Rules

• Everyone
• No jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts
• Clothing should be ironed and clean
• If in doubt, ask before you wear it
• Don't make your clothing be the one thing people
  remember about you (because that almost always
  means you've made a bad impression)

16
Ground Rules

• Women
• Your clothing should not be revealing. When you
  raise your arms, does your shirt come out or ride
  up and expose your tummy or back? If so, you
  need a different shirt. Does your skirt come
  down to the top of your knees? If not, you need
  a longer skirt.

17
Ground Rules

• Women
• Spaghetti straps are a no-no. If you want to
  wear something sleeveless, make sure you are not
  revealing more than you should. Check to make
  sure the armholes are fitted (and its a good
  idea to have a sweater with you just in case)

18
Ground Rules

• Women
• Is your shirt or blouse low cut? If you can't
  comfortably bend over and pick up your pen,
  without fear of someone "catching a glimpse",
  change your shirt.
• Just make sure that you are not wearing clothing
  more suited to a day at the beach or a weekend.

19
Ground Rules

• Men
• Make sure your clothing is pressed and ironed.
  Dont look like you just rolled out of bed (even
  if you did!) Remember, coming to work isnt like
  going to your 800 am class in sweats and a hat!
• Accessories are important- always wear socks and
  a belt.

20
Appearance

• Modesty
• Appropriate (1 Timothy 29)
• Josephs example (Genesis 4114)
• Would you have to dress up in order to go to
  work?
• Consider the GE Dress Code
• Reveals our attitude toward the importance of the
  occasion

21
Conclusion

• Need for periodic examination
• Are you worshiping acceptably?