Reverent Worship

RTL: God Cares Deeply about Worship

Intro:

Context:

Aaronic Priesthood in Exodus 28:1 ““Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.”

C. 8 shows them consecrated as priests “so they don’t die” while serving the Lord.

They obey the consecration and offering commands well in c. 8 and 9.

C. 9 God promises to show His glory

He does in Leviticus 9:23–24 “And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”

1. God Defines Right Worship (v. 1)

In response to the glory of the Lord, Nadab and Abihu begin to worship God.

Note that the response is not the same as the rest of Israel who fell on their faces.

In their excitement(?) they begin to offer fire in their censers with incense.

Censers and incense was a prescribed part of worship throughout the Levitical (Aaronic) priesthood, and they were likely reacting jubilantly at the sight of the Glory of God.

So what’s the problem?

Moses/HS calls it “unauthorized” and that “God did not command it.”

How your friends, family, loved ones like to be shown that you care. They get the say in the things that you do. ex. Hugs.

More importantly, to offer worship that God has not designed, ordained, approved, or asked for is more about us than it is about God.

“I want to worship God this way,” “I feel like this is my favorite way to worship.”

Jesus has no problem stating this as well:

John 4:22–23 (ESV)

You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

Jesus makes two statements that claim that worship is objectively defined.

“You worship what you do not know, but we know.”

“true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth.”

By worshipping in a way that God did not define, Nadab and Abihu elevated themselves above the object of their worship.

2. God Rejects Improper Worship (v. 2)

As they offered this fire and incense, the fire that had previous went out from before the Lord and consumed the offerings, now came out in full force against Nadab and Abihu.

Remember, these are two consecrated priests of the Aaronic priesthood, literal sons of Aaron.

They’re status did not spare them.

Cain experienced a rejection of his worship in Genesis 4. For what reason is beyond our purpose today. But Cain’s worship was not acceptable to God.

Seemingly, Nadab and Abihu’s transgression was more serious that Cain’s as it results in their deaths.

But the message is clear, God defines right worship and rejects wrong worship, regardless of the intent and joy behind it.

3. God is Set Apart and Glorious (v. 3)

God then gives His reason for killing them:

“I will be sanctified and I will be glorified.”

Sanctify - set apart, holy, other

Glory - heavy, weigh upon, weighty

Somehow, Nadab and Abihu’s worship infringed upon God’s sanctity and glory.

Because they did not revere Him and His commands. They did not give the person and power of God the respect He is due.

They took it upon themselves to worship however pleased them.

Amongst my friends, I might freely joke, freely approach, freely hug (Big Jerry), and Nadab and Abihu did not approach God as the creator of the universe, but as someone they were free to do as they pleased around.

**Note: This does not mean we must cower in prayer. Nor must we keep ourselves restrained in singing. Nor should we be slow to run to Christ.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

But to draw near confidently is not to draw near arrogantly or flippantly.**

So draw near confidently, knowing that God is God.

Purpose: The next two weeks, Jeremiah and then Kenneth will preach from texts of their choosing. After that, I will be starting a 6-8 week sermon series on the church, what it is, it’s importance, etc.

Fitting time for NHBC to discuss.

Application:

Humble Yourself to Worship Biblically.

Read, pray, and think deeply about how God wants us to worship Him as a body.

Examine Your Reverence for God.

Do I think of God, speak of God flippantly?

Work diligently to sanctify God and glorify Him in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15)