Religion is Vanity (Honduras)

Introduction

Well, good morning! Buenos dias! It’s such a joy, a privilege to be with you all this morning. To be able to bring God’s Word to you. Again, as always, thank you for welcoming us…thank you for loving us so well.

If you have a Bible, and I hope that you do, go ahead and open it to the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5. That’s where we’ll be spending our time together this morning. Our church, we’ve been walking through this book for a couple months now…and its been challenging.

Now, you may or may not be very familiar with Ecclesiastes—but it's a book in the Old Testament, and it's unlike any other. It was written by King Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived. And in this book, Solomon takes us on a journey through life—and he asks some very deep questions about meaning, and purpose, what truly matters under the sun. In fact, the entire book, its kind of a spiritual journal—his reflections after he’s experienced everything life has to offer: wealth, pleasure, success, wisdom, hard work—you name it.

But do you know what he says after chasing all those things?

He says it's all vanity. It’s like a vapor, a breath that disappears…Its here one day, but gone the next.

Here’s how he begins this whole book. Ecclesiastes 1:2:

“Vanity of vanities…all is vanity!”

Solomon realizes that if we live life without God at the center, everything else—money, fame, work, even religion—it feels empty. It doesn’t last.

And so this morning, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes chapter 5, verses 1–7, where Solomon turns his attention to something very serious—our worship.

If you would, let’s stand and read God’s Word together:

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 ESV

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Thank you, you can be seated.

In this passage, Solomon gives us a warning—not about the world, not about governments or riches—but about how we approach God Himself. He says, “Watch your step when you go to the house of God.”

That’s a serious statement, right?

He’s asking:

Do we come to worship with reverence, or do we do it out of routine?

Are your prayers thoughtful, or are they just noise?

Are we making promises to God we never intend to keep?

Because listen—if we’re not careful, even our religious activity can be empty.

Worship, its not about just showing up to church, or saying the right words, or singing the songs. True worship, its about our hearts—it begins with fearing God, honoring Him, recognizing who He truly is.

And so, if you’re taking notes…I have three points for us as we walk through this passage together. Number 1, worship takes the right approach. Number 2, it takes the right words…and then finally, Number 3, worship takes the right commitment.

And so, let’s look at this first point together.

I. Right Approach (v. 1)

Worship takes the right approach.

Let’s look again at verse 1 of Ecclesiastes 5:

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil."

Solomon, he’s warning us—this time not about injustice or money or power like he has in the earlier chapters—but about something far more personal and sacred: our worship.

He’s saying: It’s not just the world that’s broken. Sometimes, even our religion can be empty. Even our songs and sacrifices—if we come with the wrong heart—those things can be offensive to God.

This warning isn’t for unbelievers. It’s not for people who hate God or ignore God. It’s for worshipers. People like you and me. People who come to the house of God. Right?

That should scare us…it should wake us up!

And so let me ask:

What if your worship is hollow?

What if your prayers are just noise?

What if, even as you come to church, your heart is far away?

Solomon says, “Guard your steps.”

In Hebrew, that’s an expression meaning: Watch your heart. Prepare yourself carefully before approaching God. It’s similar to what God said to Moses in Exodus 3:

“Take off your sandals, for the place where you’re standing is holy ground.”

That’s the image Solomon wants us to have. Worship is not casual. You don’t come to God like you’d come to a market or a soccer game or a friend’s house. You come with awe. With humility. With reverence.

Because listen—if we’re not careful, we can start to treat worship like a routine…a habit…something we do out of tradition, not out of submission. And Solomon warns us, that kind of worship is dangerous.

“The sacrifice of fools…they don’t know they’re doing evil.”

I mean, that’s a terrifying thought. They think they’re doing something good. They look spiritual. But their worship is actually offensive to God. Why? Because their hearts are far away.

Jesus warned us about this too. In Matthew 15:8, He said:

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Solomon’s telling us: Be careful. Don’t mistake activity for worship. Don’t confuse noise for reverence. Don’t assume that just because you’re here, that means your heart is right before God.

Worship is not about performance—it’s about surrender.

The problem, for many people, its that we approach God the way we approach everything else. We look for what makes us feel good, what fits our preferences. We think worship is about us.

But Solomon says no—it’s about God.

It’s not about your favorite song. It’s not about if the message is funny or the music is loud. It’s not about how “comfortable” you are.

It’s about whether God is honored…whether your heart is humble before Him.

And that’s why Solomon says, “To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools.”

That’s surprising, isn’t it? He’s saying: Don’t just come to worship to speak…come to listen. Come to hear the Word of God with an open heart.

It reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. Martha was busy doing things for Jesus—but Mary sat at His feet and listened. And Jesus said:

“Mary has chosen what is better.”

The same’s true for us. Worship doesn’t begin with doing—it begins with listening. With submission.

And so, let me ask you some honest questions:

Did you come here to listen to God? Or are you here just to go through the motions?

Are you aware that you’re standing on holy ground?

Did you prepare your heart this morning? Or did you just show up?

Listen, Solomon’s warning to us…we may be doing all the right things—singing, giving, serving—but if our heart is cold or distracted or proud…then Solomon says it’s vanity. It’s like a vapor. It doesn’t please God.

And listen, this isn’t a message to shame you—it’s a message to wake us up. It’s a call to slow down. To come near with awe and gratitude and humility. I just preached this same message to my church congregation…I believe we, as God’s people, we need hear this! We need to come near with awe…and humility.

Because here’s the good news: God invites us near. Not because we’re good. Not because we’ve earned it. We come near because of Jesus. Because He made a way. 1 Peter 3:18 says:

“Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

So worship, its not a show. It’s not for entertainment. It’s not a performance. It’s a holy invitation to come close to the God who saved us—with reverence and joy.

Solomon reminds us: Guard your steps.

Come not to impress, not to perform, not to consume—but to listen. To surrender. To receive the grace of God with awe and gratitude.

Let me close this point with the words of 1 Samuel 15:22:

“To obey is better than sacrifice. To listen is better than the fat of rams.”

Listening hearts—that’s what God wants. Not just activity, but attentiveness. Not just singing songs, but submitting your life.

So today—guard your steps. Come with the right approach. Because you’re not stepping into a show—you’re standing before a holy God.

Let’s worship Him as He deserves.

II. Right Words (vv. 2-3)

Point number 2…we need to worship with the right words.

Look at verses 2 and 3 with me again:

“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.”

Here’s what Solomon’s saying: Words matter in worship. Not just the actions of worshipers, but the speech of worshipers. Not just foolish sacrifices—but foolish talk can be offensive to God.

It’s not just about the length of your prayers. It’s about the posture of your heart when you speak to God.

This passage isn’t warning against all speech in worship—but against rash, careless, irreverent words. Solomon says: Watch your mouth. Be slow to speak. Don’t rush into spiritual words without thinking about who you’re speaking to.

Why? Because he says, “God is in heaven…and we’re on earth.” That’s not just a poetic phrase—it’s a reminder of our reality. God’s holy. He’s above us. He’s not our equal. He’s not our servant.

Listen, when we forget that—when we talk to Him without awe or humility—we fall into religious vanity.

You see, true worship doesn’t begin with many words. It begins with a quiet heart. A listening heart.

David Gibson, in his book, Living Life Backward, he says: “Ecclesiastes teaches us that you can be very religious, and yet spiritually empty. You can be full of activity, but far from God—because you forgot to fear Him.”

We can be singing, praying, preaching, even counseling each other with all the right language…but if our hearts aren’t surrendered, then our words mean nothing.

Let’s think about this practically:

1. What About Singing?

Is it possible to sing with the wrong heart?…Absolutely.

Isaiah 29:13 says: “This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.”

You can sing “I surrender all” and yet still surrender nothing. You can sing “I exalt Thee” while living to exalt yourself. You can memorize every worship lyric, lift your hands—and yet your worship, it can still be empty.

God doesn’t want beautiful voices—He wants obedient hearts.

Jesus quoted this same verse when He rebuked the religious leaders of His day. And it still applies to us: If your heart isn’t in it, your words are just noise…and its the sacrifice of fools!

We should tremble at the idea that we might be singing to a God we’re not actually listening to.

2. What About Prayer?

Solomon says, “Let your words be few.”

He’s not saying we shouldn’t pray. He’s not even saying we can’t pray long prayers. He’s saying: Don’t treat prayer like a performance. Don’t fill it with meaningless or rushed words. Don’t forget who you’re talking to.

Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 6:7:

“When you pray, don’t heap up empty phrases like the Gentiles do, for they think they’ll be heard because of their many words.”

The power of prayer doesn’t come from how you say it—it comes from the God who hears it.

You don’t need big words to move God’s heart. You need a humble heart that fears Him.

Sometimes we pray like we’re trying to convince God…or impress the people listening to us. But guys, real prayer, its simple. It’s reverent. It’s honest. It puts God first.

That’s why Jesus taught His disciples to pray this way:

Matthew 6:9–10: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

That’s real prayer. Not “my will,” but Your will. Not “my plans,” but Your kingdom.

3. What About How We Talk to Each Other?

Worship isn’t just what we say to God—it’s also how we speak about God, how we speak to others in His name.

Listen, some of the most dangerous words in the church are the ones that sound the most spiritual.

“God told me…” (when He didn’t)

“You don’t need church…you just need Jesus.”

“Follow your heart…God just wants you to be happy.”

“God wouldn’t let you suffer like that.”

These things, they might sound spiritual—but guys, they’re reckless words, they’re rooted out of an ignorance of Scripture, or even worse—rebellion against Scripture.

Solomon says: “The fool’s voice is full of many words.”

Guys, the most spiritually mature thing you can sometimes do is just be quiet. Sit under God’s Word. Let Him speak. Let your words be few.

Because listen, there’s danger in religious noise.

Solomon, he ends this section with a very strange metaphor:

“Just as dreams come from busyness, so the voice of fools comes with many words.”

What’s that mean?

Just like too much work at night can make your sleep restless…too much spiritual activity without reverence can produce noisy, foolish religion.

When we’re always talking, always performing, always doing—never slowing down to listen to God…to His Word—we lose the fear of God. We stop worshiping. We start pretending.

And listen, again—this isn’t to shame you. This is an invitation to slow down. That’s what God wants from us!

Not impressive prayers…just honest ones.

Not loud singing…just reverent hearts.

Not spiritual words…just surrendered obedience.

God’s not flattered by words. He’s honored by awe.

And so ask yourself:

Am I just saying things I think God wants to hear?

Am I using spiritual words but living a selfish life?

Do I speak about God as if He’s just an idea—or do I speak with fear and love, knowing He’s holy?

Let your words be few.

Worship with awe. Speak with care. Pray with reverence.

Because God’s in heaven…and we’re not…

III. Right Commitments (vv. 4-6)

And then finally…point number 3…true worship takes the right commitment.

Let’s read Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 again:

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

In these verses, King Solomon—one of the wisest men who ever lived—he’s warning us not to take our words lightly when we speak to God.

Here’s the point: God cares more about your obedience than your promises. Anyone can say spiritual things. Anyone can get emotional during a worship service or say they’ll change when they’re in trouble. But God doesn’t want emotional moments. He wants surrendered hearts.

This isn’t a new problem. Even in Solomon’s time, people would go to the temple, they’d offer sacrifices, they’d say prayers, make promises…but not follow through. And Solomon calls it what it is: foolishness.

Now remember, in the book of Ecclesiastes, a fool, its not someone who’s necessarily dumb—it’s someone who treats God casually. Someone who says they believe, but their life doesn’t show it. Someone who knows what God wants…but doesn’t care enough to obey.

Here’s that that looks like today:

We promise to pray for someone…but forget the moment they walk away.

We say we’ll change…until the pressure goes away.

We tell God we’ll serve or give or surrender…but deep down, we have no intention of actually doing it.

I mean think about it, how many of us have made promises to God in moments of desperation?

“God, if you get me through this, I’ll change,” right? Or, “If you heal this relationship, I’ll follow you more closely!”

What about this? “If you bless this situation, I’ll serve more or I’ll give more!”

Solomon says: It’s better to say nothing than to make empty promises to God.

And verse 6 adds this:

"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?"

That’s heavy. But it’s not meant to scare us away from God—it’s meant to wake us up.

God’s not a coach, He’s not a consultant, He’s not a vending machine you negotiate with. He’s the holy God of the universe, and when we speak to Him—especially when we say we’ll follow Him—He takes that seriously.

Listen: God doesn’t need your performance. He wants your heart.

You might say, “But I mess up.” Yea, we all do. And that’s where the gospel speaks hope into our lives: We’re not saved by our commitment to God—we’re saved by Jesus’ commitment to us.

But hear this: Real grace produces real surrender.

When we truly understand what Jesus has done for us—when we see that He gave everything to bring us to God—we don’t play games anymore. We don't just say words. We live differently.

The world around us runs away from commitment. But if you’ve been changed by Jesus, you don’t fear commitment—you desire it. Because your heart is already His.

Closing

Let’s finish with verse 7:

"Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore, fear God."

Solomon, he ends this passage by cutting through the noise. Big dreams…beautiful words…religious talk…if it’s not connected to a real fear of God, it’s all meaningless.

That’s the thread running through the whole book of Ecclesiastes: Everything—money, success, even religion—its vanity unless it's centered on God Himself.

So what is true worship?

It’s not just singing songs. It’s not just saying prayers. It’s not just making promises.

It’s fearing God. It’s reverence. Awe. Obedience. It’s a heart that says, “God, I’m Yours—even when no one’s watching.”

God’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for honest ones. Not people who perform…but people who repent. Not people who say the right things…but who truly surrender.

And so, if you know Jesus…the question this morning…are you truly worshiping the God of the universe?…Submit your life. Mean your words. Fear your God.

But listen, if you’re here today, and maybe you’ve been around church, maybe you’ve even said spiritual things—but you’ve never truly surrendered your life to Jesus—this is your moment.

The God maybe you’ve ignored… The God you’ve sung to but never obeyed… He’s calling you today.

Not to religion. Not to performance. But to a relationship with Himself.

Jesus came, not so you could become more “religious,” but so that you could know God.

He lived a perfect life for you. He died on the cross to take your sin. He rose again to offer you forgiveness, and freedom, and eternal life.

So stop pretending. Stop performing. Come to Him with honesty. With reverence. With faith.

Paul says in Romans 10:9:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

That’s the invitation for you today.

So let me ask you—what do you need to surrender to God right now?

As we close, I want to read the words of an old hymn:

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

Would you bow your head and close your eyes?

Listen, let the Spirit search your heart right now.

Are you here this morning truly worshiping—or listen, are you just performing?

Have your words been sincere—or are they just noise?

God’s calling you—not to try harder, He’s calling you to come closer. To surrender. To fear Him. To worship Him in spirit and in truth.

And so, let’s take a moment and then Pastor Gomez’ll come and close in prayer.

[Prayer]