The Heart Of Worship Matthew 15:1-20

Theme: No matter how important all of the external elements are in our worship, the biggest obstacle in worship is what God has to deal with in us. The biggest problem in worship is our heart.

            Church life can be one filled with numerous setbacks, endless committee meetings, and drawn out business meetings. In a similar fashion Sunday mornings, the time we set aside to gather for corporate worship, can take on a drawn out, dull, highly traditional and or legalistic appearance. While there is nothing wrong per say with a “traditional” worship service; at times the areas so steeped in tradition can be elevated to a place of worship. When any tradition begins to undermine the authority of the Word of God it must be done away with!

            So as we prepare ourselves for corporate worship on Sunday mornings let us listen ever so closely to the words of Jesus in Matthew 15 starting in verse 1:

Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ² “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”³ And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to ^[a]be put to death.’ ⁵ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been ^[b]given to God,” ⁶ he is not to honor his father or his mother^[c].’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

⁸ ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
⁹ ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

¹⁰ After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. ¹¹ It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

¹² Then the disciples *came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were ^[d]offended when they heard this statement?” ¹³ But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. ¹⁴ Let them alone; they are blind guides ^[e]of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

¹⁵ Peter ^[f]said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” ^16 [g]Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? ¹⁷ Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is ^[h]eliminated? ¹⁸ But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,^[i]fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. ²⁰ These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

            Let me ask us all a question, when you are getting ready to go out some place, to meet a good friend, to meet friends for dinner, or to attend a social gathering, how do you prepare? We would all like to be able to arrive on time and in style, gracefully slide into the occasion.

            However, in reality there are numerous obstacles that get in the way of that carefree experience we desire. Be it an argument you had with your spouse, the babysitter cancels, the kids run out and play in the mud, the car won’t start, you have a headache, all of these things are interfering with your “wonderful” evening plans. Let’s say that you have finally got out the door running late, still arguing with your spouse or kids, now you get stuck in traffic.

It seems that the more important something is, the more things can get in the way of having it work out well and so it shouldn't surprise us that worship is full of obstacles. Is it any wonder that all kinds of things get in the way of our experience of worship? Sometimes it can be so difficult to clear our minds and simply be still and know that he is God. Some common complaints I’ve heard regarding worship are:

·  "The biggest obstacle is the little dramas that go on or the little relational dramas."

·  "Sleeping in"

·  "I have a pretty scheduled life during the week. I am committed to being 5-10 minutes late. I find it harder to stick to a schedule on the weekends."

·  "Sunday becomes a workday."

·  "To worship with four kids, you know it's a challenge each week."

·  "Sometimes we're very easily distracted. If we are sitting there doing a song sometimes I feel like wow its really nice outside and I am like what do I have to do today and then there is like, oh I've got this paper I got to do."

·  "Part of the worship service isn't like I like it."

·  "I think the main obstacle to worship is me."

·  "Often times my biggest obstacle is myself and sometimes worrying that they are not sitting still or whatever."

·  "I failed in stuff over the past week or I failed in stuff, you know had an argument with my wife on the way to church that day."

·  "Sometimes you just don't feel like going in."

·  "I think learning more and more to just let them be who they are before God and not have it just be sort of a role or a duty."

·  "Focus too much on the sentimentality on the fun things and we don't deal with the hard realities of coming into Gods presence."

·         "There is a little voice that says you know you don't belong here. You can't worship God."

Certainly there are seasons in life when we would rather ask God what is he doing rather than speaking of how great he is. Often times when we gather together in worship our minds are elsewhere. We get hung up on the use of certain types of musical instruments. Churches split over the usage of electric guitars, drums, or not using a hymnal. People fuss about the sanctuary being too bright, too dim, too hot, or too cold. We become distracted by the roast in the oven at home or by our afternoon plans. We become more concerned with the way that certain person looks than with the nature of our own hearts.

All of these things make it easier or harder for us to worship and can be real obstacles, but I think as we think about this issue of worship, one of the things that we have to be reminded of right up front is that none of these obstacles that we talked about are the fundamental barriers that can enter this issue of worship. What is of fundamental importance is not what gets in the way of our feelings. No matter what we do, no matter what we feel, the most fundamental question in worship is whether God accepts it. That is the fundamental question.

God does not have to accept our worship simply because we attend church and sing pre-selected hymns! Paul tells us in romans that the type of worship, the only type of worship that God accepts is one of willing obedience. He urges us to present our bodies as a “living Sacrifice.” He then adds that we are to live a life “not conformed to the patterns of this world” rather we are called to live a life that is governed by the spirit of God and be “transformed by the renewing of our mind.” This is the kind of worship God accepts one who is willing to lay before God on his altar and not get off.

      If we are more concerned with the externals of “worship” (ie types of instruments and conditions of the building and other worshipers) rather than our hearts are not in worship with God. Because the fundamental question is does God accept our worship?

So I ask you what is your mindset regarding worship?

Do you find that you’re more consumed by the type of worship rather than the object of that “worship”? When was the last time you sat under the power of God and simply listened to him?

Are there things in your life distract you from the heart of worship?

Let us return to the heart of worship where everything else fades and it’s no longer about you and me but only about Jesus Christ!

Will you join me?

Are You Hungry?

The word of God is our life source. Jesus told his disciples that he had food which they did not know of. His meat was to do the will of His father. We must stay nourished by the word of God. But the question for us today is, How satisfied are you with your Christian service? Do you find fulfillment and satisfaction in your Christian service? Or are we satisfied with this world and the things of it? Do we have a hunger for more of God’s love and presence in our lives? Do you earnestly desire the things of God?

Listen to this quote by famed author CS Lewis, “If we find in ourselves desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only possible conclusion is that we were made for another world.” If we truly took that saying to heart it would greatly shape our daily actions and our faith. Take for example the story of a faithful man by the name of John Huss.

Huss was born to peasant parents in "Goosetown," that is, Husinec, in the south of today's Czech Republic. (In his twenties, he shortened his name to Huss—"goose," and he and his friends delighted in making puns on his name; it was a tradition that continued. Luther reminded the people of Huss he wrote the goose was cooked for defying the pope.

To escape poverty, Huss trained for the priesthood: "I had thought to become a priest quickly in order to secure a good livelihood and dress and to be held in esteem by men." He earned a bachelor's, master’s, and then finally a doctorate. Along the way he was ordained (in 1401) and became the preacher at Prague's Bethlehem Chapel (which held 3,000), the most popular church in one of the largest of Europe's cities, a center of reform in Bohemia He then immediately broke with tradition he began to speak in the people's language not in Latin. WHICH IS HELPFUL?

John Huss explained the bible desiring to teach everything in the bible as long as he had breath. He was then excommunicated. And he kept on preaching. The Roman Catholic (it's hard to say Church) attempted to scare people from not listing to him. They could not stop it. He leaned more on the bible then before he wrote.

  

John Huss loved God so much that he was dedicated to the teachings of the bible. History records, while he was being burnt at the stake he died singing the psalms. He was a man who lived nourished by the word of God.

The only crime he committed was reliance on the word of God. He was accused of teaching “heretical doctrines” such as: 

1. The Church is made up of all believers

If you’re a believer than YOU ARE part of the Church.

The Roman---- Teaches that the priests, cardinals and bishops made up the Church and the pope

2. The authority of the bible is higher than that of the church

3. The Pope is not the head of the Church Jesus is he went farther than that Christ alone is the heed of the church and not the pope who through ignorance and the love of money is corrupt.

CHRIST IS THE HEAD if you don't believe this might as will check out now. One of Huss's last statements was you may kill this goose but one day a swan will come. Huss valued the words of God more than his own life. How much value do we place on the Word of God? Have we heeded the words of Christ to abide daily in His words? Have we as Paul Told timothy been constantly nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine? Are we absorbed in the teachings and instructions of our spiritual leaders? Jesus said blessed are those who HUNGER and THIRST after righteousness for they shall be filled.

Are we hungry for the things of God? Are we Thirsty for the living water He offers? How desperate are we for more of His spirit in our lives.

A New Threat~ Losing the Mystery of Salvation 1 Timothy 3:14

For over four decades our nation was locked in a dangerous and trying time known as the Cold War.  It was during this time following the close of WWII that communities erected fallout shelters, and made preparations to survive a possible nuclear war. This era was the inspiration for numerous films, books, and radio shows. We faced attacks both at home and abroad.

Not only did we face the possibility of nuclear war with Russia but we were subject to internal conflict, espionage, and betrayal. Perhaps one of the greatest threats of the cold war was the subversion of the Soviets into American society. Just after we had finished fighting one of the bloodiest wars in American history we faced a new threat… division.

In much the same way the church is engaged in a combat like that of the cold war. While there is no physical conflict using weapons and other physical means, there is a large battle going on behind the scenes. The threat we face is not that of nuclear annulation, rather of eternal torment. Physical lives, and communities are not the only things at risk; the souls of every man woman and child are being threatened.

Our enemy is not one we can see with physical eyes (Eph 6:10-12). And our own ranks have been invading by his subtle trickery and depict. We must be ever watchful over the way we live our lives. The devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and his favorite place to linger is in the halls of the church, the living room of the family. He seeks to lead away those who are weak in their faith and destroy them.

It is for this reason that the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and the church of Ephesus urging them to watch the way they live their lives. Let us look at several keys in his writing to Timothy in chapter 3: 14-16:

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; ¹⁵ but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated(lit: Justified) in (or by)the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.

Paul is not speaking of the way Christians are to act in a building. Rather Paul is instructing the Children of God to live as children of God. His purpose is to remind them of the way that God’s children are called to live and act in contrast to the children of the devil. It is important to live a distinct life so that the world can distinguish between the genuine and the counterfeit. We are to conduct our lives as imitators of Christ; because, we are the church of the living God. This phrase has a rich OT meaning and it implies that we are God’s possession. Thus we cannot simply live any way we please we must obey our Father’s wishes.

Next Paul goes on to explain the function of every believer. He borrows the imagery of the Temple of Diana in Ephesus when he describes the pillar and the ground. The Temple of Diana was supported by 127 gold platted, marble pillars and it sat upon a large rock foundation. Paul tells the church that we are to live a life that upholds the truth of God. Our life and actions serve as a foundation a starting point for God’s word to be made know.

In other words, you may be the only bible someone ever reads. Our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors read us every day. Before anyone will ever see Jesus they will first have to meet His followers. It is for this reason that we ought to let the words of God always is on our lips. Because of the responsibility we have to be the spokesperson of the Almighty God, we should be on our faces in His presence daily asking for His Spirit to fill us.

Paul reminds us that children of God are to live a life that reflects the mission of Jesus. He recites a common portion of an early church hymn. In verse 16, Paul summarizes the entirety of the gospel. Our faith is a mystery. Matthew Henry writes “Christianity is a mystery, a mystery that could not have been found out by reason or the light of nature, and which cannot be comprehended by reason, because it is above reason, though not contrary thereto. It is a mystery, not of philosophy or speculation; but of godliness, designed to promote godliness; and herein it exceeds all the mysteries of the Gentiles. It is also a revealed mystery, not shut up and sealed; and it does not cease to be a mystery because now in part revealed.” 

But what is this mystery? The mystery is Christ.

1.      He is the “God who was manifested”

a.       The Eternal Word

b.      God who became a man John 1:14

2.      He was Justified by The Spirit

a.       He was sinless

b.      He Bore our sins and punishment

c.       His sacrifice was accepted

3.      He was seen by angels

a.       Both fallen and elect

b.      It speaks of the mystery of Christ that angels were interested in Him.

c.       He is the Lord of Angels

4.      Proclaimed among the nations.

a.       If he was just an ordinary man, a prophet, or a great teacher the mystery is why would the world care?

b.      The mystery is through His death now those who were without hope now have freedom! Both Jews and Gentiles

5.      That the world believed on Him.

a.       Who would have thought that a sinful world would believe that a Jewish man who was crucified could save them?

b.      It still a mystery to me  how we can believe on Him.

6.      The fact that He was received into glory

a.       How could a man rise up from the grave

b.      What power can cause a man to ascend to the right hand of the Father?

The power of the cross is still a mystery to me. There is no human logic that can explain these things. Only the power of the one true God can do such a mighty thing to bring us sinners into his home!

But we must be careful for we know that as the end draws near people will lose the wonder of the power of the cross. Churches will turn away from following the wonder of the power of God and turn the Christian faith in to an academic exercise. If in our Christian service purpose ever gives way to pompous and action gives way to apathy the “church” will cease in its effectiveness.

As wonder, amazement, and passion for the power of God gives way to legalism doubt and rationalizations we fall from a place of true Christianity! If we ever lose the wonder of the power of God we lose all legitimacy as a church! If we are more concerned with programs than the power of and the mystery of our salvation we are LOST!

God is standing at the door seeking to restore your life. He is the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, (He) says this:  ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.  ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,  I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.  ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Have you lost the wonder of the power of God? Have you forgotten the greatness of the joy of your salvation? Have you fallen into the trap of rationalizing your faith?

God is knocking at your hearts door this morning! Won’t you let Him in? Can’t you see that without Him your life is nothing! Don’t wait!

God is here knocking at your hearts door crying repent!

Repent the day of judgment is near!
Surrender to God and experience the Joy of Full salvation!