Acceptable Worship

Message 2 – Treasure series Lost Treasure

Sin, Fall, and the Law – Diagnosing the Problem

Schindler’s List – A few weeks ago Stacy and I watched Schindler’s List again. Oskar Schindler runs a factory in Poland which employs over 1000 Jews. The Jewish ghetto where they live is liquidated and all the Jews who can work are taken to a new camp outside of town and the other Jews are murdered. This put Schindler in a bind. He has no workers in his factory. Production stops. There is a scene where Schindler meets with Amon Goeth, the Nazi Commandant of the work camp. Schindler needs his laborers and Goeth has them. At this point in the movie Schindler has not yet shown himself to be the selfless man he becomes. He is there simply to get his labor force back to work. He is not yet the man honored by the Jewish people in the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. In this scene as Schindler attempt to negotiate a price for his labor force he asks Goeth a question and in return Goeth asks Schindler a question that becomes the foundation for the entire story…

– Acceptable Offerings

Schindler’s List – A few weeks ago Stacy and I watched Schindler’s List again. Oskar Schindler runs a factory in Poland which employs over 1000 Jews. The Jewish ghetto where they live is liquidated and all the Jews who can work are taken to a new camp outside of town and the other Jews are murdered. This put Schindler in a bind. He has no workers in his factory. Production stops. There is a scene where Schindler meets with Amon Goeth, the Nazi Commandant of the work camp. Schindler needs his laborers and Goeth has them. At this point in the movie Schindler has not yet shown himself to be the selfless man he becomes. He is there simply to get his labor force back to work. He is not yet the man honored by the Jewish people in the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. In this scene as Schindler attempt to negotiate a price for his labor force he asks Goeth a question and in return Goeth asks Schindler a question that becomes the foundation for the entire story…

Oskar Schindler: Look, all you have to do is tell me what it's worth to you. What's a person worth to you?

(ESV)

Amon Goeth: No, no, no, No. What's one worth to you!

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

From that moment on Schindler gives away all he owns to save over 1000 Jews. It’s a story about the value of human live. It is a story about what a man treasures above all else.

If God “needs” nothing why does he require an offering?

From that moment on Schindler gives away all he owns to save over 1000 Jews. It’s a story about the value of human live. It is a story about what a man treasures above all else.

Did Adam and Eve give gifts to one another and God before the fall? We have no record of it in the text but I am inclined to believe they did give gifts. Why? All we know is that before the fall man walked with God in the garden. The phrase “walk with” means they communed and had intimate fellowship with God. It is in the nature of a healthy relationship to give gifts. You give of yourself to people you care for. You serve them. You give them things, words, praise, etc. That is one reason why courtship “feels” so good. The couple is expressing how much the value the other by giving.

Do we value God? Is he our treasure?

God gives to man for man’s good. If in fact man was created in God’s image and it is God’s nature to give, then it stands to reason that man reciprocated in this gift giving and gave as an expression of love.

In the context of worship the number one question people ask regarding money and worship is, “How much do I have to give?” The question itself is flawed in about 100 different ways but at its core it fails to address the root issue.

Is God worthy of our worship?

Why is one offering acceptable and another not? Not all gifts given express value.

· Worthy – having worth or value.

Worthy – having worth or value.

Able – gave of the firstborn of his flock. The gift cost him something. Because it cost him something it communicates that he valued the giver (God) of the gift (livestock) more than the gift. His gift cost him something and therefore communicated what he ultimately values. Of the fat portions means that he gave the best of what he had.

Cain – He gave some of his harvest. Now, not much is actually said here in terms of what he gave. It’s what isn’t said. There is no mention of first, best, or choice… He just gave some stuff.

Worship - Expression of reverence and adoration of God. ‘Worship’ (Old English ‘weorthscipe’=‘worth-ship’) originally referred to the action of human beings in expressing homage to God because he is worthy of it.

· Worship - Expression of reverence and adoration of God. ‘Worship’ (Old English ‘weorthscipe’=‘worth-ship’) originally referred to the action of human beings in expressing homage to God because he is worthy of it.

Principle – the gift given communicates value to the recipient.

Worship is a tangible expression that communicates the degree to which we value God.

We worship what we treasure and we treasure what we worship.

A costly gift communicates the giver values the object of his giving.

– Acceptable Offerings (act of worship)

Have you ever done something for someone or given them a gift and then after they thank you, you reply, “Oh it was nothing…” What does it mean? The saying is meant to tell the person that it really did not cost you much to do the deed or give the gift and that they should not therefore thank you. After all it cost you nothing. It’s not a big deal.

Abel’s offering was acceptable worship and Cain’s was not. Abel’s gift communicated that he valued God more than he valued the source of his wealth. Worship means to assign worth. Abel assigned worth through his offering. Unfortunately, so did Cain.

Disclaimer – As this sermon progresses there are going to be a number of you who are going to be frustrated. You are going to want me to tell you exactly what kind of offering is acceptable. I won’t do that. I would point you to an excellent resource - Plastic Donuts. You can grab a copy in the foyer and there is a small group study guide that goes with it on the Grace App.

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

In theory, we ought to value God above all else and there should be an infinite gap between the degree to which we value gifts from the giver compared to the giver of those gifts. But who can actually say that infinite gap exists. What we value most will ultimately lead to our greatest good or our ruin depending on what we value. Look at the warning…

We worship what we treasure and we treasure what we worship.

Cain you know better. You know what is acceptable. Sin is crouching at your door and desires to have you but you must master it.

Cain and Abel’s offering… 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.

God is not ignorant. He knows our hearts and he knows what man values. The problem is that man does not know what man values. Before one can be cured one must know that one is ill.

The Law – God tells man how to give (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

Cain’s offering – an offering of the fruit of the ground.

· Cain’s offering – an offering of the fruit of the ground.

· Abel’s offering – firstborn (plural) of the flock and their fat portions.

Moral Law – Seeks the glory of God and the good of others.

Abel’s offering – firstborn (plural) of the flock and their fat portions.

Ceremonial Law. Rules for how you may approach God. Offerings – burnt, non-burnt, tithes, temple tax,

God’s Reaction to their Offerings… And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

· Why did God reject Cain’s offering? Simply put, he did not give his best. He gave “an offering of the fruit of the ground”. There was nothing special about it. He gave some stuff he had. Contrast his offering to Abel’s. Abel gave of the firstborn (plural) and it was the fat portions. In was the first and best of all he had.

Why did God reject Cain’s offering? Simply put, he did not give his best. He gave “an offering of the fruit of the ground”. There was nothing special about it. He gave some stuff he had. Contrast his offering to Abel’s. Abel gave of the firstborn (plural) and it was the fat portions. In was the first and best of all he had.

No crushed testicles… A bull with no balls is worthless.

o No crushed testicles… A bull with no balls is worthless.

I will not make an offering that cost me nothing.

o I will not make an offering that cost me nothing.

Able – gave of the firstborn of his flock. The gift cost him something. Because it cost him something his offering communicated that he valued the giver (God) of the gift (livestock) more than the gift. His gift cost him something and therefore communicated what he ultimately values.

· Able – gave of the firstborn of his flock. The gift cost him something. Because it cost him something his offering communicated that he valued the giver (God) of the gift (livestock) more than the gift. His gift cost him something and therefore communicated what he ultimately values.

Cain – He gave some of his harvest. Now, not much is actually said here in terms of what he gave. It’s what isn’t said. There is no mention of first, best, or choice… He just gave some stuff.

· Cain – He gave some of his harvest. Now, not much is actually said here in terms of what he gave. It’s what isn’t said. There is no mention of first, best, or choice… He just gave some stuff.

Principle – One way or another the gift given communicates value to the recipient.

· Principle – One way or another the gift given communicates value to the recipient.

o A costly gift communicates the giver values the object of his giving.

A costly gift communicates the giver values the object of his giving.

o Have you ever done something for someone or given them a gift and then after they thank you, you reply, “Oh it was nothing…” What does it mean? The saying is meant to tell the person that it really did not cost you much to do the deed or give the gift and that they should not therefore thank you. After all it cost you nothing. It’s not a big deal.

Have you ever done something for someone or given them a gift and then after they thank you, you reply, “Oh it was nothing…” What does it mean? The saying is meant to tell the person that it really did not cost you much to do the deed or give the gift and that they should not therefore thank you. After all it cost you nothing. It’s not a big deal.

o Abel assigned worth to God through his offering. Unfortunately, so did Cain.

Abel assigned worth to God through his offering. Unfortunately, so did Cain.

Cain’s Anger So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

· God’s question indicates that Cain knew better. He knew what was acceptable and what wasn’t. Cain is like the husband who suddenly remembers it is his anniversary on the way home from work as he is filling his car up with gas. He goes in, pays the attendant, and buys his wife a packet of Jack Links Jerky. He drives home listening to talk radio agreeing with the commentator on the issue of the day. He pulls into the garage walks in the house and hands his bride the Jerky. He kisses her on the cheek and says happy anniversary as he turns on the TV. She breaks down sobbing and tosses the jerky at the jerk and locks herself in the bathroom. Instead of admitting he is an idiot, he gets angry because he remembered the anniversary and did his perfunctory duty of acknowledging the date giving her a gift. For the sake of argument lets side with Cain and ask God some questions.

God’s question indicates that Cain knew better. He knew what was acceptable and what wasn’t. Cain is like the husband who suddenly remembers it is his anniversary on the way home from work as he is filling his car up with gas. He goes in, pays the attendant, and buys his wife a packet of Jack Links Jerky. He drives home listening to talk radio agreeing with the commentator on the issue of the day. He pulls into the garage walks in the house and hands his bride the Jerky. He kisses her on the cheek and says happy anniversary as he turns on the TV. She breaks down sobbing and tosses the jerky at the jerk and locks herself in the bathroom. Instead of admitting he is an idiot, he gets angry because he remembered the anniversary and did his perfunctory duty of acknowledging the date giving her a gift. For the sake of argument lets side with Cain and ask God some questions.

If God “needs” nothing why does he require our worship?

· If God “needs” nothing why does he require our worship?

o God does not “require” worship in the way that a car requires gasoline. If the car does not have fuel it stops. God does not require our worship in that way. If we fail to worship God he does not suffer.

God does not “require” worship in the way that a car requires gasoline. If the car does not have fuel it stops. God does not require our worship in that way. If we fail to worship God he does not suffer.

o God requires worship because it is right. Think of it this way. Why are we offended when we do something for someone and they are unappreciative? We are offended because its “right” to acknowledge the worth or value of something. To fail or refuse to acknowledge the worth or value of a person or act of service is wrong in our moral economy. Now to the relativists who says it makes no difference please remember that as your value and service is not acknowledged and you feel wounded.

God requires worship because it is right. Think of it this way. Why are we offended when we do something for someone and they are unappreciative? We are offended because its “right” to acknowledge the worth or value of something. To fail or refuse to acknowledge the worth or value of a person or act of service is wrong in our moral economy. Now to the relativists who says it makes no difference please remember that as your value and service is not acknowledged and you feel wounded.

o God requires worship because worship is what we need most. Look at God’s response to Cain. If you fail to value what is truly valuable sin will destroy you. Misplaced worship is the reason Abel was murdered and Cain was exiled.

God requires worship because worship is what we need most. Look at God’s response to Cain. If you fail to value what is truly valuable sin will destroy you. Misplaced worship is the reason Abel was murdered and Cain was exiled.

Old Testament and the Purpose of the Law – What is clear is that Cain knew what was right but did not value it. As the Old Testament progresses God gets more specific with his people about what is acceptable and what is not acceptable regarding worship. The Law – This is how you communicate that you value the giver over the gifts. God tells man how to give (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

· Moral Law – This is how you show me that you value me and that you value those who bear my image.

Moral Law – This is how you show me that you value me and that you value those who bear my image.

Ceremonial Law. Rules for how you may approach God. Offerings – burnt, non-burnt, tithes, temple tax.

· Ceremonial Law. Rules for how you may approach God. Offerings – burnt, non-burnt, tithes, temple tax.

Neither the moral law nor the ceremonial law ever made man right with God.

· Neither the moral law nor the ceremonial law ever made man right with God.

The Value of the Law - The Law was not given as a means for us to know how much to give so we could be made right. Instead the law was given to show us we have a problem. Sin is crouching at the door and it desires to have us (). The law shows where sin is crouching – right there in our hearts. The law reveals a dirty little secret – we don’t value God. That is the disease – the devaluing of God (failure to worship). Our devaluation of God is killing us and its why we kill one another. ()

The problem with the Law – Diagnostics are good in that they enable us to understand our underlying issue instead of merely symptoms. It is good to have the law to show us what it means for a man to value God supremely. The problem with the law is that it has never and can never cause us to value God supremely. It is merely a diagnostic. Not a cure.

We are trapped…

Until…

The Giver of Gifts gives the Greatest Gift ever Given.

Grace – turns duty into devotion and makes a rebel a son.

Question – Does your worship express how much you value the Son of God? How do you assess the value of the Son of God? How do you demonstrate his worthiness? How you answer that question defines how you worship. That is worship. Is he worth your time? Is he worth you singing about? Is he worth serving? Is his kingdom worth seeking?

No? Then spend some time right now reflecting on the degree to which he demonstrates his love for you.

Pray