Learning To Listen to God Nadab and Abihu: Disaster in Worship

A Bit Too Comfortable The complaint is common: I’m bored! Seeking to be “entertained” or “busy” Affects attitudes during worship. Can you be bored in the presence of God?

Have we lost our focus? Do we realize that when we are gathered in worship, we are in the presence of Almighty God? Have we forgotten the holiness, reverence and even FEAR which is proper toward God? Have we become too comfortable with God?

What Did Nadab and Abihu Know? Exodus 24:1 -- Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance… They knew the fear of the Lord.

Exodus 29: They knew the precision of worship before God The multiple sin offerings to consecrate the priest. The full bath for purity before the Lord. The special clothing necessary to wear in the presence of God. The multiple requirements in the offering of the sacrifices. Vs. 45 – “Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”

They knew to be constantly aware of the holiness of God. Exodus 29: "Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.”

Disaster before the Lord Leviticus 8:24 -- Moses also brought Aaron's sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he sprinkled blood against the altar on all sides. Consecration prior to service

Leviticus 9:23-24 Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. Beginning of worship in the tabernacle

Leviticus 10:1-2 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. The high price for presumption

Leviticus 10:8-11 – Other Sins of Nadab and Abihu? Drunkenness Profane Worship Failure to obey holy decrees

Lessons in Holiness Fear of God is not lessened under the New Covenant Romans 3:18 -- "There is no fear of God before their eyes.“ 1 Peter 2:17 -- Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

God still demands holiness 2 Corinthians 7:1 -- Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

People Still Try to Offer Strange Fire 1 Timothy 1:3 -- As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer….

Their end will be the same 2 Peter 2:1 -- But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

So Beware – And Be Holy! 1 Peter 1:16 – “…for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."