“You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.” (Deuteronomy 6:13) “Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11) “There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any work like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.” (Psalm 86:8-10)

“Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7) “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Worship Gone Amiss (Revelation 4:10) “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Revelation 4:10)

Formalism pollutes worship. Formalism – strict attention to outward forms or customs Formality – an observing of prescribed customs, rules or ceremonies; excessive attention to order, regularity or convention Religious formalism appeals to many people. Prescribed traditions carried out in an orderly fashion does not automatically turn worship into empty formalism.

Formalism pollutes worship. God has prescribed worship and commandments to be obeyed regarding worship. Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 14:26, 33, 40

Formalism pollutes worship. Examples of unacceptable worship to God: In Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:10-17) In northern Israel (Amos 4:4-5; 5:21-24) In Malachi’s days (Malachi 1:6-7, 8, 10) In Jesus’ days (Matthew 15:2-9)

“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12) We must restore both the God-prescribed form and fervor revealed in the doctrine of Christ. Worship is to God. What pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6)? “…understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17) 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12) “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) “…first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also” (Matthew 23:26) “…those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24)

“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12) “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2) When we do not do what has been revealed and/or lose zeal and fervor in our worship, our actions and words become empty formalism.