How do you worship?

Tags: pvl

HOW DO YOU WORSHIP?
(Ecclesiastes 5 :1 – 7)
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 2 August 2009

WORSHIP means Worthship; Worthiness – to ascribe worth or value to someone or something

Worship a god with a little “g” and you’ll always come up empty. But there’s another kind of worship …

I. GUARD YOUR STEPS (Eccl. 5:1)

Think what you are doing

BE CAREFUL ABOUT OUR WORSHIP
When God refuses worship (Isa. 1:10-20)
The Songs that God hates (Amos 5:21-27)
David’s wrong approach to Worship (1 Chron. 13:1-14)
Worshipping God without getting zapped (2 Sam. 6:1-23)

The fool says “There is no God.”

WHAT THE “SACRIFICES OF FOOLS” LOOK LIKE (5:1b; Psa 14:1)
1. Distracted by frantic PACE (Luke 10:38-42)
2. Consumed by COMFORTS (Mat. 6:24-27)
3. Possessed by POSSESSIONS ((Mat. 19:21-24)
4. Deceived by PRIDE (Luke 18:10-14)
5. Hardened by a hard HEART (Prov. 28:14)
6. Hindered by SIN (Isa. 6:1-7)

ATTITUDES of a Wise Worshipper. Worship must include a
A RESPECTFUL REVERENCE – a holy awe
A LISTENING HEART – diligently attend to the Word

II. BE NOT RASH WITH YOUR MOUTH: WORSHIP AND PRAYER. (Eccl. 5:2-3)

Consider what you are going to say

WEARYING GOD WITH OUR WORDS (Mal. 2:17a)

HOW DO THE “VOICES OF FOOLS” SOUND LIKE? (5:3)
1. Vain and profane words (Exo. 20:7; Ezek. 36:23)
2. Empty and repetitious words (Mat. 6:6-7)
3. Insincere words (Luke 6:46-49)

WHEN OUR WORDS ARE PLEASING TO GOD
1. When we PRAISE HIM (Heb. 13:15)
2. When we lift our voice in Prayer (Prov. 15:8; Phil. 4:6-7)

III. KEEP YOUR VOWS (DON’T PLAY GAMES WITH GOD): WORSHIP AND VOWS (Eccl. 5:4-7)

Know what you are promising to do / give

“NO PLEASURE IN FOOLS…” (5:4)
Don’t make rash vows Eg. Jephthah (Judg 11:29-40)
Two vows in the Book of Jonah (1:16-2:9)? – The Vow of Salvation (1:16)
and Service (2:9)

FOUR SACRED VOWS in Nehemiah (Neh. 10)
1. Vows for Right Living (:29)
2. Vows for Right Relationships. (:30)
3. Vows to Rest Right (:31)
4. Vows of Right Responsibilities (:32)

Why We Veer From Vows
1. We don’t like obligations
2. We love the easy life
3. We fear future outcomes
4. We have a tendency to be selfish

The Value of Vows

1. Vows gives stability to your life.
2. Reminds you what you have and where you are going
3. Vows are essential for spiritual growth and success.

Validate Your Vows

Pay your vows – Keep your promise.
“I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people” (Ps. 116:14 & 18).
God hears our vows (Ps 61:5, 8)?
Daily perform your vows – “I will…” (Ps. 116:2 & 13b).

WORSHIP … THEREFORE, STAND IN AWE OF GOD! (Eccl. 5:7)