Introduction: In part one of "Man's Approach To God" we saw the First Step was to enter the "Gates" with "Thanksgiving" and the Outer Court with "Praise". However, we have not entered the place of "Worship" as of yet. The Second item of business was to deal with our sin at the There we learned the ugliness of sin, that the wages of sin required the death of a lamb. There must be Godly sorrow and repentance.

Part Two we dealt with the next step on our journey into the presence of God. After the Priest offered the sacrifice for sin at the Brazen Altar, his next stop would be at the "Laver". Here he would wash his hands and feet on the way to the Holy Place. This teached us the process of "Sanctification" or the need of cleansing in our daily walk.

Part Three we were ready to move even closer to God's presence as we enter the "Holy Place." As we enter this is the place we begin to be "partakers" of God's blessings. Up till now we have been preparing ourselves to receive what God has for us. As we entered we experienced the "light" of the "Candlestick" which represented the illumination and fire of the Holy Spirit. Next we came to the "Table of Shewbread" which represents the "Word" of God." We turned to face the "Golden Altar" where the smoke of sweet smelling incense went up, set on fire from the coals of the burned sacrifice. This represents our "Worship."

Today we look forward to entering the "Most Holy Place" where the Ark of God's Covenant resides. There God in all his glory will meet with us.

(1) In The Old Testament, The Common Man Could Not Enter The "Most Holy Place" Behind The Vail. Only The High Priest Had Access To The Very Presence Of God. ( Lev. 16:2 )

NOW: Since Jesus Christ paid the sin sacrifice, the "vail" is gone and we have access to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

* Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Boldness: parrhesia: Confidence ) *Note: Not on the presumption of who "we" are in arrogance, But by the "BLOOD"

(2) We Need An Understanding Of The Greatness Of God. There Is A Dangerous "Familiarity" And "Irreverence" That Exist Today.

(A) We are a Non-Liturgical Church. By this I mean we do not practice a prescribed "ritual" in our worship.

(B) Formality, Responsive Readings, Solemn Assemblies are not our idea of worship. ( Be still and know God is not one of your favorite verses in the Bible)

(C) The Liturgical Church: Expresses the "grandeur" of God ! They build lofty Cathedrals to express the "mystery" of God. They place "rails" around the altars which suggest "don't approach too casually."

* They Say: God is mysterious ! * We Say: God can be known and easily approached.

* They Say: The Gospel is not understood by the common man *We Say: A child understands

* They Say: God is unapproachable. * We Say: Talk to him like an earthly Father.

* They Say: Cannot know Jesus personally. We Say: He's just my elder Brother, God is "dad"

* They Say: Stand in His presence with awe. We Say: Thats the time to turn loose, celebrate.

* They Say: Words are inadequate, be silent. We Say: Make a joyful noise and shout.

Both have good points, Both need to learn a Scriptural "Balance"

*THEY:, need to realize God is approachable, we can know Jesus as our Saviour, there is a proper time to Celebrate, there is a time of open Praise.

*WE: need to learn a Reverence, Awe, Majesty in approaching God. WE have become too Casual, too Irreverent, in approaching God in worship !

(D) I'm bothered when in "prayer time", people are moving around. When "preaching" and people are going in and out of the sanctuary. At "altar call" and people leave as though service has dismissed.

(3) Our Attitude Toward Worship Is How We Are Representing Him To The Unsaved World

(A) Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? ( Despise: Heb. Bazah: To dis-esteem, think too lightly of )

God Wants His Name Exalted Among Sinners, God Wants Pure Offerings Of Praise!

(B) Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. (Name: Heb. shem: authority, character, honor )

But you have Profained my Name, Poluted my Table, called it a "Weariness" Malachi 1:12-13 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

* Profained: (Heb. chalal: stained, prostituted, wounded)

* Poluted & Contemptible: (Heb. ga'al: repugnant, sickening)

* A Weariness: ( Heb. mattela'ah: troubling, distressful )

They said: "We hate the Lord's Table (communion), it is such trouble to come ! (Sound familiar ? )

(C) Look at what they brought to Worship: * The Torn: ( Heb. gazal: plucked off, strip or rob, spoils,) (Leftovers !) * The Sick, diseased, crippled animals they could not sell ! Malachi 1:8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

Do You offer Him the "Sick and Crippled" in service ?

*Your Time: What is left over when you have nothing better to do !

*Your Offerings: Tithing and Giving after all our "things" have been taken out.

* Your Service: No time to participate, practice, just be happy I show up now and then.

If the Governor were here, would you say: "Excuse me, I'm not prepared, but it's good enough for you anyway ! Malachi 1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

(D) Levi honored God and found Life and Peace: Malachi 2:5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. (Reverence)

(4) When I Come To The Most Holy Place, I Must Come With My Best !

* When God is honored He will manifest His presence and Glory.

* When the early Church "Ministered" to the Lord in Worship, God gave directions.

* Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

LOOK AT ALL WE HAVE TODAY: OUR SINS COVERED, THE WORD TO KEEP US CLEAN, THE HOLY GHOST TO EMPOWER AND DIRECT US, THE BREAD OF LIFE TO FEED US, A GREAT HIGH PRIEST WHO KNOWS US, AND NO VAIL TO SEPERATE US FROM HIS PRESENCE

* Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

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