Week 7 - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 | The Heart of Worship
Good morning!
This morning, I want to start at what we might call the “water cooler” of Jesus’ day—the well.
The well, was more than just a place to grab water. In ancient times, the well was where people gathered, caught up on life, shared stories, and asked hard questions. And in John 4, it’s where Jesus has a deeply personal, prophetic and profound conversation with a woman whose life had been marked by shame, religion, and confusion about what God truly wants.
And Jesus speaks a word of knowledge over her life. He knows she’s had 5 husbands and that she is now living with a man who’s not her husband, after that display of power, in the middle of their conversation, this woman asks a very loaded question:
“Where should we worship God? This mountain or that one?”
Now that might not sound like a big deal to us, but it was huge in her world.
You see, the Samaritans believed worship should happen on Mount Gerizim—that’s where their ancestors had built a temple. But the Jews said, “No, no, no—Jerusalem is where true worship happens.” And that divide had created centuries of tension and confusion.
Because through out the Old Testament, place did matter. God instructed His people to worship at the tabernacle, and later, the temple. These weren’t just religious centers—they were the very places where heaven touched earth, where the presence of God uniquely dwelled among His people.
But even then, geography was never the point. God was always after the heart.
“To obey is better than sacrifice,” the prophet Samuel said (1 Sam. 15:22).
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me,” God says in Isaiah 29:13.
And King David, after his failure, writes in Psalm 51: “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.”
Now this woman, recognizing that Jesus is at least a prophet from God, maybe even the Messiah Himself — Jesus later confirms He is — she asks Him to clarify this cultural dividing issue:
“Which mountain is right?”
But Jesus doesn’t pick a side. He lifts the whole conversation to a new level and does what Jesus always does, He brings it back to the heart:
Here’s what says:
John 4:22–23
NLT
22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.
This is a mic-drop moment.
Jesus is revealing that even when worship had a set location, God was never after mere ritual or routine—He was always after the heart.
His words in John 4 don’t mark a change in God’s values, but a change in how people access Him.
Jesus is essentially saying:
“You don’t need a mountain or a temple to draw near to God—because I am the new temple” (John 2:19–21).
“I’m the meeting place. I’m the sacrifice. I’m where heaven and earth now come together.”
From this point forward, worship no longer flows through a place—it flows through a person. Through Jesus.
So geography isn’t meaningless—but it’s no longer essential. What’s essential now is a heart that worships the Father in Spirit—genuine, Spirit-enabled connection—and Truth—in light of who Jesus really is.
Worship is no longer about where you are, what you say, or how loud you sing.
It’s not about rituals.
It’s about the kind of heart you bring to God.
And today in Ecclesiastes 5, Solomon is standing at the church’s main entrance—the temple doors—laying down a similar truth. As we’ll see together, Solomon says:
“Before you walk into the presence of God—whether it’s in a church building, your car, or your quiet place of prayer—you should pause and check your heart. Because God’s not looking for performance or a show of devotion. He’s looking for awe. For humility and sincerity of heart.”
And that’s the question before us this morning, not did I just show up to Church, but “What kind of heart did I bring before the Lord?”
Let’s open Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 and learn what it means to worship in spirit and truth. To bring God a heart that listens, surrenders, and stands in awe before Him.
But before we unpack Solomon’s words, we’ve got to understand the key word here which is “awe” or what the Bible calls “the fear of the Lord.” Because if we get this wrong, we’ll miss what Solomon’s trying to say.
In our world, “fear” usually means anxiety or dread—like being afraid of punishment or danger. But the fear of the Lord is something very different.
In Scripture, fear or better here, awe, is the holy collision between God's greatness and our smallness.
It’s a mix of emotions—wonder, reverence, trembling, joy—that comes when you realize:
"I am standing before the King of the universe—and somehow, He knows me, welcomes me, and calls me His own."
Like when on a dark and starry night you gaze up into the Heavens and shrink. I remember in high school getting home late at night on Fridays and Saturdays and walking in to our country home out in the boonies of Fulton county and just being struck by the vastness of the stars in the sky and thinking about the God who put them there… it made me feel small and God feel so big, but then to think of his mindfulness of me there in the mix of all that… that feeling, the dread and joy and wonder of God’s bigness and my smallness and His mindfulness of me in the midst of it all. That is AWE.
It’s not fear that makes you run away. It’s fear that makes you drop your jaw, bow your head, and draw near—because while God is terrifyingly holy and transcendent (far away), He is also stunningly good and near.
The Hebrew phrase that’s translated fear of the LORD is perhaps better rendered as an awe-filled love for God. Because this phrase isn’t just about feelings—this fear or this awe-filled love shapes your life. It changes how you think, how you live and how you worship.
One author said it this way:
"Fear focuses on self. Awe focuses on God."
That’s the difference. Awe lifts your eyes off your own world—and fixes them on God’s glory, power and character.
We see the effects of awe throughout the scriptures as people encounter God as He is.
Think about Isaiah, the prophet drawn into the thrown room. His response: Isaiah cries, “Woe is me!”
Moses at the burning bush, he trembles and takes off his sandals.
The disciples fall to their knees in worship.
That’s awe. And the Bible doesn’t treat this like a bonus feature for extra-spiritual people—it says it’s the beginning of wisdom.
It’s essential. Not optional. It is the response of the human heart when it’s attention is fixed upon the One True God.
Now realize this is a bit heady and kind of a lot of words, I could say more but as Solomon is about to tell us: too many words makes you a fool. Which some of you are like, bro you’re in danger of that every sermon! I know.
Which is why we’re just going to pause here and look at the words of Solomon and what he says this looks like for us in everyday life:
I think this is what Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 shows us.
Solomon says that awe—true worship—looks like three things:
A heart that listens to follow the Lord, not to lead Him(vv. 1–3)
A heart that surrenders to the Lord, not tries to scheme Him(vv. 4–6)
A heart that trembles with awe before the Lord, not just talks (v. 7)
Let’s take them one at a time and see how the fear of the Lord—this joyful, trembling awe—shapes how we come before God.
Firstly,
1. A Heart That Comes to Listen and follow, Not Lead (vv. 1–3)
Ecclesiastes 5:1–3
NLT
1 As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. 3 Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
Hmmm. I could say, “How refreshing is Solomon’s directness?”—but honestly, depending on where you’re at, it might not feel refreshing. For many of us, this is unsettling.
Let’s not sugarcoat it. This is Solomon saying to all of us before the living God: “Shut your mouth and know your place.”
That’s blunt—but I don’t know about you, I need that reminder. A lot.
To my proud, self-important, often entitled heart—and maybe to yours—Solomon says: “Shut up and Listen.”
This is a reminder to me of who’s actually in the driver’s seat of my life, my marriage, my family, my friendships, and this church.
Which I think we all need frequently because while God graciously and astoundingly invites us to partner with Him—sometimes in all our doing for God, we can forget who’s ultimately in charge. I can forget.
We all have responsibilities—callings, tasks, ministries to lead, parts to play in God's story. But hear me: we are never the main characters. Not me, not you. We are always only the supporting cast.
The only star of this show is and only ever will be King Jesus.
So Solomon opens with this sharp reminder: true worship doesn’t start with our voices—it starts with our ears.
And why is that the case? Well he tells us: because of where God sits. He’s in Heaven and we are here on the earth.
That means God isn’t playing catch-up. He’s not reacting to us. He’s not adjusting as He goes. He’s ruling and reigning—orchestrating from in front of and above. He’s knows and is already working the end from the beginning.
And here’s what that means for us practically. We’re never going to see the full picture, at least not this side of heaven, and honestly probably not ever.
Because we’re not God. We don’t know the end from the beginning. So we’re in no position to come rushing in, hurling our thoughts, offerings, or suggestions at God about how we think our lives, our families, or this church should go.
We can’t control the when’s, the how’s, or the what-for’s. We won’t ever have all the answers—and honestly, we’re not meant to.
The best thing we can do is stay near the King—listening and following. And that begins by coming before Him not with a spirit of control or entitlement, but with humility. Not bursting in to tell God what we think He should do, but slowing down to ask: “God, what are You already doing? And will You give me the courage to follow, even when I don’t fully see it or understand it?”
And let me say this gently: What you and I need to know from God, what we can handle, and what we can understand—it’s almost always less than what we think we deserve from God. It’s usually less than what would make us comfortable. And it always requires faith and trust which is often hard and confusing at times.
But here’s the hope: God is in Heaven. He sees all. Knows all. And promises He’s working all things for good. Over and over again, His Word tells us that His ways are higher than ours, and that we shouldn’t lean on our own understanding.
That’s humbling—but it’s not hopeless. Because He also promises to walk with us, speak to us, and give us exactly what we need—when we need it—if we’ll slow down and listen.
And this, friends, is why we need to see God as He truly is—and come to Him accordingly.
It’s why awe matters.
In the ancient Near East, people approached their gods like vending machines. You bring the right ritual, say the right words, and the gods might bless you.
That’s manipulation disguised as devotion.
And honestly? Some people approach Jesus the same way.
We invite Him into our lives—but not to listen and follow Him. We still want to lead and be the one calling the shots.
But Solomon is clear though: That’s not how you approach the Holy God of Israel.
God isn’t looking for us to walk into worship like a boss giving orders.
Rather He invites us to come like a servant before a King.
Or better yet—like a small child before a good Father.
The posture of awe says like Samuel: “Speak, Lord—Your servant is listening.” or Like Isaiah: “Here I am. Send me.”
This is the call of our God. Come and listen and I will lead you!
Lord help us to listen and hear you. Give us courage to follow what you say and cover us with your grace for when we miss it because we know you can make all things work for the good of those who you call. What Joseph’s brothers meant for evil, you meant for good! You meant it Lord!
Church this is the heart of worship in spirit and truth. A heart that comes to listen and follow not lead.
A heart of worship is also one that surrenders rather than schemes! Look with me a vv. 4-6:
2. A Heart That Surrenders, Not Schemes (Ecclesiastes 5:4–6)
Ecclesiastes 5:4–6
NLT
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 6 Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.
This section speaks just as much to the heart of our Father as it does to our own hearts in worship.
Church, hear this: God doesn’t require your vows, your pledges, your “God I’ll never do it again” speeches, or your bargaining!
He’s not asking for promises you can’t keep—He’s asking for a heart that trusts and surrenders.
Again, in ancient religions, worshipers would often make sacrificial vows in moments of desperation:
“God, if You give me this, I’ll give You that.”
But that kind of mindset doesn’t reflect faith at least not in the God of the Bible. It reflects manipulation and mistrust
Sadly, this mindset infected and still infects God’s people.
One of the most tragic examples is found in Judges 11.
Where a man named Jephthah makes a desperate, foolish vow:
“If You give me victory, I’ll sacrifice the first thing that comes out of my house.”
And in those days, animals lived in or attached to your home. But what walks out to greet him after battle? His daughter.
He follows through and sacrifices her—something God never asked for. And Why?
Because Jephthah misunderstood the heart of God.
He thought God needed to be bargained with. He didn’t know the Lord well enough to stand in awe and trust.
He didn’t understand that our God is not like the pagan demon gods of the nations.
God Most High doesn’t bless us because we twist His arm. He blesses because He is good.
Church, what more could God do to prove that He doesn’t need to be bargained with—and that He is worthy of our full, unreserved trust?
He gave His one and only Son.
On a cross.
Crushed.
Forsaken.
Despised and shamed.
Why?
So that you and I would never again have to climb a mountain or enter a temple to be with God.
Because through Jesus, Heaven came down to us.
Jesus is the place where heaven meets earth.
He is our access.
He is the finished work.
Now Solomon didn’t see what we see. He didn’t live to witness the cross or the resurrection.
But even without it, he understood something vital:
God has never been interested in religious performance.
He’s never asked for polished speeches or impressive spiritual posturing.
Solomon saw the trap—people who say all the right things, who put on a big display of devotion… but never follow through.
People who later cover their inconsistency with spiritual-sounding excuses.
But praise Jesus—God doesn’t require all that pretense.
He finished the work.
He tore the veil.
And now He invites us to come—not with conditions or negotiations, but with surrender.
So hear this clearly:
God isn’t waiting for you to say, “If You do X, I’ll do Y.”
He’s inviting you to say,
“I’m Yours, Lord.
Because You are good.
Because You’ve done it all.
Here I am.
Help me honor You and follow You with my whole life.”
Now—don’t hear me saying you should hide your hurt or wrestle in silence.
God can handle your emotions. He welcomes your honesty.
But instead of trying to talk Him into doing something good what if we came to Him trusting that good is already in His heart.
Bring Him your ache. Bring Him your desire.
But trust Him enough to answer your cry in the way He knows is best.
Because a heart of true worship doesn’t come to scheme.
It comes to surrender.
And lastly, the heart of worship doesn’t just talk—it trembles (v. 7).
3. A Heart That Trembles, Not Just Talks (v. 7)
Ecclesiastes 5:7
NLT
7 Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.
Here’s Solomon’s mic-drop.
Worship isn’t about sounding spiritual—it’s about being stunned by who God is.
In a culture that offers many words, many rituals, and many dreams to try and manipulate the divine and manufacture “the good life,” Solomon cuts through it all:
“You don’t need all that. Just fear God.”
Friends and loved ones, let me ask you:
Is your God the real, true, and living God of the universe? Or is your god too small?
Because the God of the Bible—Yahweh: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—He is bigger than any of us can fully wrap our minds around. But we should try.
We should try to see and know Him as He is so that we can stand in holy awe.
Like the psalmist asked in Psalm 24:
“Who is this King of glory?”
The Lord, strong and mighty. The Lord, invincible in battle... The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—He is the King of glory!” (Psalm 24:8–10)
And in light of the whole arc of Scripture, we now know this King of Glory has a name.
His name is Jesus.
“God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all names…” (Philippians 2:9)
And what of His works and His ways?
“Far too wonderful for me,” Job says in Job 42:3.
Things we can’t fully grasp, but we can adore.
And when we begin to see God like that—as He truly is—the only right response is trembling awe.
When Isaiah caught a glimpse of God’s holiness, he fell apart:
“Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips... and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (Isaiah 6:5)
Talk is cheap in this regard. You can’t just sprinkle a few churchy words on your week and call it worship.
You have to see God—to know Him deep in your soul and through the Scriptures.
This where true worship is born.
This is where reverence grows.
This is where grace nourishes and wonder takes root.
And the awe that all of this cultivates—it changes us from the inside out.
When we see and experience the fullness of God revealed clearly and personally in person of Jesus Christ.
He is The Holy One who came near.
He put on flesh.
He took our sin.
He bore our shame.
He did the work, so that you and I wouldn’t have to run away in fear,
but could draw near in reverent love.
So Father, help us.
Help us see You—not as we imagine You to be, but as You truly are:
Holy and sovereign… yet gentle and lowly.
Majestic in power… yet merciful in presence.
Wake us up, Lord.
Take us off spiritual autopilot.
Stir our hearts again with wonder.
Forgive us for the times we’ve come just to check a box… or tried to strike a deal.
Forgive us for talking too much and trembling too little.
And instead—fill us with a holy awe.
The kind of awe that whispers in our souls:
“I can’t believe I get to be here.
In Your presence.
Loved, known, forgiven.”
That, Church, is true worship.
That’s what Jesus died and rose again to make possible—
Not just a moment, but a life lived in awe-filled surrender.
So may we come to God not with schemes, but with surrender.
Not leading with demands, but following in trust.
Not just with words… but with trembling wonder.
Make it so, Lord.
Make it so.
Let’s pray.
