1. “I Just Don’t Get Anything Out Of Worship Services” It’s not about you or what you get Worship - give honor, praise, and glory to God (it is all about Him) Services - doing for another, not selfish Luke 18:10-14 (The Pharisee’s Worship) God is not required to take whatever we offer Worship can be rejected! (Eccl. 5:1-2)

2. Psalm 51 Believed to be David’s response after Nathan confronts him (2 Sam. 12:7) To properly worship God we must accept that He is wonderful, righteous, deserving of more Ps 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Pardon is based on His goodness, not ours

3. Psalm 51 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. No excuses, no demands, no explanations Our failures have created the separation 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Greatest fear: To not be able to approach God

4. Psalm 51 To properly worship God we must accept that He is wonderful and we are unworthy We are not deserving of an audience with God Some enter saying, “What’s in it for me!” They exit disappointed “A person who is all wrapped up in himself makes a very small package”

5. Psalm 51 3-5 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Easy to ignore our sins (adultery, murder, lie) Hard to face them and accept consequences

6. Psalm 51 To properly worship God we must accept that He is wonderful, that we are unworthy, and we must have a desire to change with His help 17 requests made (all spiritual in focus) 1 Have mercy upon me, … blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

7. Psalm 51 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Internal cleansing before external worship can be acceptable to God

8. Psalm 51 7-12 Many requests made of God 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hyssop - Plant used in cleansing ceremonies (Ex. 12:22, Lev. 14:3-4, Num. 19:18) 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

9. Psalm 51 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. David knew something was missing in his life when God was no longer pleased with him. He felt grief from not being able to worship

10. Psalm 51 Reaction of David to Restoration: 13-15 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

11. Psalm 51 Reaction of God to Restoration: 18-19 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.