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The Search for Sincere Worshippers
Song: Introduction Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23). The true worshippers are all who truly and sincerely worship God. They who do it with the heart, and not merely in form. The true worshippers shall worship - in spirit – and – in – truth. Our kind of worship must not be a defective worship! It must not be legalistic! And it must not be carnal! Word of God 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Psalm 53:2-3 and Psalm 14:2-3) 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. (Romans 3:10-11) Work of Christ on Calvary Israel Exiled Because of Sin 7 All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods 8 and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10 They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11 At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the LORD had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the LORD’s anger. 12 They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, “You shall not do this.” 13 The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” 14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the LORD their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.” 33 They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. 41 Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did. (2 Kings 17:7-15; 33, 41). Wonders from the Lord 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:19-20, 23) Conclusion How do we then worship God in spirit and in truth? 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16). In truth: in opposition to hypocrisy, with true hearts, in the singleness, sincerity, and integrity of their souls; and in distinction from external ceremonies. We are called to worship God with sincere "mind;" with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer; with a desire to glorify him, and without external pomp and splendour. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God, and where we do not depend on external forms for acceptance. In His Vineyard JB Oseh |