Lesson 4: GOD Wants Your WORSHIP Please pick up a handout from the table in the back of the auditorium for class this morning.

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 1. God Wants More Than Your “Church Attendance” a.Some approach worship more like it’s “church attendance” 1)Which makes it as important and yet as dispensable as school attendance, work attendance, club/organization attendance, etc. “If I’m there most of the time, that’s great. But intentionally missing a meeting or a day here and there is no big deal. I don’t have to be there.” 2)Where’s the EAGERNESS to worship? b.Some approach worship as “one of the things I’m doing this week” 1)Where’s the PRIORITY to worship? c.Some approach worship as “something I’ve got to do” 1)Where’s the PRIVILEGE to worship?

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 2. God Has Given a Multitude of Reasons to Attend a.In order to worship the Lord – John 4:21-24 b.In order to express our love for the Lord – Matt. 22:37 c.In order to maintain our spiritual fervor – Matt. 24:12 1)To prevent defiling or searing our consciences – Titus 1:15; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 1 John 3: )To prevent backsliding – 1 Cor. 11:20-30; Rev. 2:4; 3:16 d.In order to remember our Savior’s suffering and death for our sins – Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Acts 20:7 e.In order to walk in the footsteps of the early saints – Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 14:23

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 2. God Has Given a Multitude of Reasons to Attend f.In order to satisfy our spiritual appetites – Matt. 5:6; 1 Pet. 2:1-2 1)To be taught & to grow spiritually – 2 Pet. 3:18; Col. 1:23 2)To be transformed spiritually – 2 Cor. 3:18 3)“It is no accident that the strongest and most knowledgeable Christians are those who faithfully attend all the services of the church, while the weakest and least knowledgeable are those who seldom or never attend the assembly of the saints.” – Hugh Fulford g.In order to have fellowship with the people of God – Heb. 10:24-25

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 2. God Has Given a Multitude of Reasons to Attend h.In order to set a proper (not harmful) example for others – Eph. 6:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; Matt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12 1)To do ourselves what we expect other Christians to do – Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 2:21-22 i.In order to be in subjection to the elders – Heb. 13:7, 17 j.In order to obey the Lord’s commands – Heb. 10:25; John 14:15; John 4:24 1)“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some” – Worship “attendance” is commanded. 2)“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Worship is a must.

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 2. God Has Given a Multitude of Reasons to Attend k.Because it is the Lord’s Day & we don’t want to rob Him – Rev. 1:10; Mal. 3:8 l.Because it is a sin to know to do it and then not do it – James 4:17 m.Because the local congregation depends on our attendance – 1 Cor. 12:12-25; Eph. 4:16 n.Because we need it – James 4:8; Psa. 42:1; 63:1; 84:2 o.Because it is a joyful privilege – Psa. 122:1 p.Because that’s where we would want to be when the Lord returns – Mark 13:32; 2 Pet. 3:14 q.Because Jesus is there – Matt. 18:20; Heb. 2:12 r.Because we will worship God (for all eternity) when we get to heaven – Rev. 4:8-11; 5:11-14; 7:9-12; 15:2-4

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 3. God Wants You to Worship Him Acceptably a.Worshiping Only Him 1)“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him…” – John 4:24 2)“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” – Matt. 4:10 b.Worshiping in Spirit 1)“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit” – Jn. 4:23 2)“Those who worship Him must worship in spirit” – Jn. 4:24 3)“with grace in your hearts to the Lord” – Col. 3:16; 2 Cor. 9:7 c.Worshiping in Truth 1)“True worshipers will worship the Father in truth” – Jn. 4:23 2)“Those who worship Him must worship in truth” – Jn. 4:24 3)“Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” – Col. 3:17

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 4. God Not Only Wants Your Worship; He Deserves It! a.“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” – Psa. 89:7 b.“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.” – Psa. 48:1 c.“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.” – Psa. 96:4 d.“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.” – Psa. 145:3

GOD Wants Your WORSHIP 5. God Wants More Than Your Worship a.He wants more than your “church attendance”; He wants your worship. b.He wants more than your worship; He wants your devoted faithfulness in fulfilling all Christian responsibilities He has given to you and expects of you as His child. c.Christians have God-given responsibilities, for which we must give an answer on the day of judgment, beyond “just going to church on Sunday.”