Watch Your Worship

Sermon 5: "Watch Your Worship”

Do you have a healthy level of reverence and awe for God?

Why do you go to church? What is the purpose of the church? These are classic and important questions. Evaluating a church— like are we doing well? There are a multitude of ways one can measure that! We are in a process as leaders and pastors here at WCMC in addressing these important questions. I know it isn’t an accident that we have before us in this next section in chapter 5 of Ecclesiastes— the reflections of Solomon on what exactly we are doing here each week— worship.

Our worship takes on elements of our culture, our preferences, and our general understanding of ourselves and God. These are all limited things. These are things under the sun! Finite people attempting to interface and interact authentically with an infinite God.

Empty religiosity— a casual attitude— and broken spiritual commitments plague our relationships— both with God and with each other.

The first four chapters The Preacher, the Professor, has been observing. He’s reflecting— but now you may sense a change in the tone of the writing. It’s more “imperative”— meaning directive, or command-like. It’s found pretty frequently in scripture— where the writer actually states something in a way that the reader, should do— or should not do. It’s imperative. It’s advice.

It seems like the Teacher is offering some caution with regard to worship.

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Big Idea: Authentic worship requires careful reverence and heartfelt commitment rather than empty ritual or casual promises.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 NIV

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

I. Guard your steps (v.1)

Solomon gives a masterful description of both proper and improper worship here in these verses. It’s as if he is beginning to examine if religion and/or a faith in God brings meaning to our lives. It does— that’s why we are all here today right?

The modern day equivalent might be translated:

A. A call to check your heart and your hands.

Take is seriously. This doesn’t mean we can’t have fun, or enjoy something funny— especially visiting with each other… but when you come to this place— when you come to church, when you go to any function where God will be the center, how is our attitude?

Psalm 24:3–4 NIV

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

We can use this verse— memorize it, and apply it in a discipline to intentionally prepare our hearts and minds to come to church— to come to approach God.

This can give us a purpose— Clean hands and a Pure Heart.

B. A call to listen rather than perform.

This is a careful directive. Are you paying attention, or are you just going through the motions? There are times when even I have taken worship for granted. We all are tempted to be casual, or even cavalier— reckless.

“sacrifice of fools”

In the Old Testament worship system— worshippers came to the temple, or the church— with a sacrifice of some sort. The sacrifice was given, presented. Almost always it was an animal, and it was to be the “best” that you had from your resources. The unblemished perfect creature— could have been a lamb, or a dove, or even sometimes a goat. These specimens were worth more— they cost the person something deep.

Often times, we can read of situations where this isn’t what happens. People often substitute what was best with something less… They may get into the habit of sacrificing something that was haphazard or casual., or worse yet, they may choose the defected or blemished animal to sacrifice— since it didn’t have the highest value anyway. Their attitude was actually foolish.

There were prophets who called it out:

Malachi 1:14 NIV

14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord.

The classic OT example of this is King Saul.

In I Samuel 15

we read that Saul was given an assignment, but he didn’t listen— and he thinks he can “sacrifice” his way out of it. God doesn’t need your sacrifice. He wants you to listen. He doesn’t need your sacrifice— that would be the “sacrifice of fools”.

Now- there is a difference between casual or apathetic and familiar. Familiar with God isn’t a bad thing—

Sometimes we are unwilling to become comfortable with God, thinking that He wants something more from us than we can give. That’s not it. He wants you— the real you. All of your attention, and that can become a very familiar interaction.

That is most evident to me when I’m with someone who has a great deal of wisdom and intimacy with God— and they pray. The Spirit’s work in their life is connecting with the Spirit of God on behalf of others, or a situation, or even in worship— that is powerful, and I want that..

It’s fostered through the repeated discipline of checking our heart and hands. Guard your steps. Watch your Worship.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV

2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 NIV

3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

We are called to guard our steps— but also to:

II. Guard your words (v.2-3)

A. Learn to speak with precision and purpose.

Here’s a prayer that I have often prayed before I step forward to teach here— but it might be useful for your life as well:

Psalm 19:14 NIV

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I’m a pretty verbose person— you might be like me, and you often prefer to “talk things out” even with yourself.

Solomon gives us a warning here— to speak carefully. Speak less. Listen more. That is a wonderful principle to apply to the discipline and participation in worship.

There is a danger in rambling, repetitive, or performative prayers—

Jesus warns about this type of praying and display also, stating that people think that God will hear them because of the volume or number of words they use...

He states in

Matthew 6:7 NIV

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Matthew 6:8 NIV

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Fewer words can be a more meaningful prayer. Especially when I’m by myself- I have tried to use just two words:

Lord, please. Lord, forgive. Lord give. Lord help.

In practicing this silence— or very minimal speech, we are acting in a way that recognizes what Solomon is pointing out in verse 2.

God is in heaven, and I am on earth— so let my words be few. Worship artist Matt Redman made these words more modern with his interpretation of these verses—

“You are God in Heaven, and here am I on earth— so I let my words be few...”

And I’ll stand in Awe of You… Yes I’ll stand in Awe of you...

And Let my words be few— Jesus I am in love with you.”

We might think that God requires something from us when we come to worship Him— maybe I could do a little survey:

What does God want from you? I think He wants me to sing, or learn, or pray, or think— no— At some point— I want you to know that God just wants us to sit down, and be quiet.

How about we start to make this a happening— in our lives and in our church. We come in here— especially like 9:55, and we just focus on still...

B. Humility is the foundation of true worship.

Isaiah 55:9 NIV

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

These are the actual words of God to the prophet Isaiah— reminding us that we have thoughts and ways— but God also has thoughts and ways— and just as the heavens are higher and so different from the earth— God’s ways and thoughts are higher and so different from ours.

We tend to forget— or take for granted how powerful God really is.

If you sit with that for a little while— on a regular basis— it will change your life.

I have had this experience— like whoa— Jesus, you really want me to die to myself. Yeah- He really does. God isn’t messing around.

Acknowledging that shapes our worship

That may not sit well with us at first— but there is a peace that comes from simple, honest humility and worship.

We must guard our words— watch our worship.

Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 NIV

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

III. Guard your promises (v.4-6)

Another way of saying this— how Solomon describes it is a “vow”. We don’t often understand that very well in our culture— maybe when you witness a wedding ceremony, or sometimes we see a person take an “oath”— that is sort of like this.

Solomon is following a longstanding part of the Hebrew Law here— that is found in

Deuteronomy 23:21–22 NIV

21 If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.

One thing that stands out to me— in what Solomon is inferring back to the Deut passage— if you can’t fulfil it— don’t promise it. In fact, I’m thinking I probably shouldn’t make a bunch of vows or promises to try to sound spiritual— when I can’t keep them anyway.

Sometimes I’ve struggled with this— probably more with people than I have with God— but like sometimes we want to just tell people what we think they want to hear, just to get either out of the conversation— or to move the relationship along faster...

That’s not good.

A. God takes our commitments seriously, we should also!

Lots of times in my life, people have approached me to join them, or to do something for/with them. Like “Hey— we really want you to come and speak at our church, or give a talk to our group or whatever”...

I used to say “yes” very quickly— since it made them feel really good, and I was honored to be invited… Then I would get home or whatever, and learn that actually I either can’t help them— or probably shouldn’t because I’m way over extended— then I have to go back to them and back out. I’ve learned that my default answer is NEVER yes— it’s probably “Maybe, I’ll get back to you”— or if the Spirit can get through to me right then— it might be “NO” right away.

There are many common ways that we make these types of promises: discipleship, service, giving, lifestyle changes

Sometimes we take these promises too lightly— We might even need accountability to someone else to keep our vows.

There is a big difference between emotional responses and genuine dedication. We must know ourselves and our assignment more clearly.

B. There are consequences of broken promises

Ecclesiastes 5:6 NIV

6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

Go back to the Deut passage— the essence of that is that if you say you’re going to do something (particularly with God) and you don’t do it— that is sin. And it’s better for you NOT to even say that you’re going to do something—Why would you say a vow, but then not do it? That would be your mouth, or your words which make up the vow, leading you to sin.

Numbers 30:2 NIV

2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

Doing what we said we would do is a big deal. To both God— and really to others as well.

There is a ripple effects of spiritual inconsistency for others around us— if we say we are faithful— or we say we are giving something, and we don’t do it— there are really difficult problems.

I want to read a short scene from a story from the book of Acts— chapter 5— the story of Ananias and Sapphira:

Acts 5:1–11 “1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”…”

Acts 5:9–11 “9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

The background here is that Barnabas— another church leader, had previously sold some property, and he gave the entire amount he received to the feet of the church leaders and presented it. That was a huge boost for the church— and probably everyone was so thankful to him… right? Ananias and Sapphira— did the same, but didn’t give it all. I’ve always wondered what the sin was? Was it keeping part of it back? or was it SAYING THAT THEY ARE GIVING THE ENTIRE AMOUNT_- but then keeping some back?

You can find debate on that topic, but generally people agree that the lying about their gift was the sin. Not necessarily keeping a portion of it for themselves.

God didn’t just destroy the work of their hands— He actually destroyed their hands too.

Why God might "destroy the work of your hands"?

Ecclesiastes 5:7 NIV

7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

God is the one we should fear. For many of us, verses like this repel us a bit.. I know I’ve felt that way. Like we’re talking about worship here— and I’m not really so sure about a God that I need to fear— or be on my toes with— or somehow be afraid of?

But you might — like me have a little more to grow in this whole “fear God” thing.

Let’s look at it this way— maybe this will help us:

Think about Love. Today is Father’s day— There is a powerful love that we feel in the Father— God the Father, and for many of us— we were blessed with strong earthly fathers— and or men in our lives that represented strength, integrity, and protection even. The God of the Universe is your Father. He is more powerful than anything we can imagine. And He is FOR US.

When we come to worship HIM— we come with reverence, and respect, an AWE and a healthy FEAR— that’s what Solomon is getting at here…

FEAR GOD— as a response to His love and protection, His power, and His BIGNESS.

It’s both Spirit and Truth.

Jesus definitely had some connection to this topic:

C. Reject empty dreams and meaningless words. (v.7)

IV. Jesus teaches worship is both spirit and truth. (John 4:19)

The difference between genuine spiritual experience and wishful thinking

How prosperity theology and health-and-wealth promises distract from true worship

Worship grounded in God's character rather than our desires

Jesus Connection: Jesus' Teaching on True Worship

Primary Text: John 4:19–26 “19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.””

We should prioritize authenticity over ritual.

Jesus reveals that the Father seeks worshipers who worship genuinely

Jesus fulfills what the Preacher calls for - He is the way to approach God with perfect reverence.

In Sprit— and in Truth.

Practical applications:

Before Worship: Take time to prepare your heart, confess sin, and set aside distractions (pure heart, clean hands)

During Worship: Focus on receiving from God rather than performing for others, or trying to accomplish something.

In Prayer: Speak honestly but thoughtfully, avoiding repetitive or empty phrases

Making Commitments: Be extremely careful before making vows or promises to God

Living Worship Everyday: Let Sunday worship overflow into Monday through Saturday reverence— God is in heaven, we are here on earth.

28  If you cannot worship the Lord in the midst of your responsibilities on Monday, it is not very likely that you were worshiping on Sunday!

A. W. Tozer