Warning: "Watch Your Step

1. Our Approach to the House of God

Explanation

In the midst of talking about all the vanity things in this life, Solomon now confronts the false worship that seems to be going on during his time and even today

Solomon gives his readers to warnings in how they approach their entering of the house of God to worship

Guard Your Steps

This language speaks towards the manner of preparedness we give before entering the House of God

You must understand the reason for you coming to God’s House!

Was it because you were made to?

Was it because your family had always came to church

Was it because you want to feel good about yourself again?

Guarding your steps means that you understand the caliber and reason of which you enter the house of God for.

House of God: The place housing the presence of God; where you desire to encounter the presence of God

Guard Your Motive

When you correctly prepare yourself to enter the house of God, your motive will be to encounter (listen) to the words of your creator

Fools come into the house of God thinking what they have it what God needs

“rather to give the sacrifice of fools”

Just because you’re here today does not mean you sacrificed something. SORRY

Just because you helped one day setup in the gym, does not mean you gave a God-honoring sacrifice

God honors the pure desires/motives of our hearts. Not just the outward appearance we try to shed.

The scary thing is.... those of us who are in this category, don’t even know we’re doing wrong

Argumentation

The sinner excuses his sin and then goes on to flatter himself!

How can this be? There is no fear of God in his eyes

Illustration

“If you haven’t worshiped for the past 6 days, you aren’t ready to worship today”

Application

How do you prepare yourself to come into the House of God and to worship?

Have you gotten on your face to confess your sins this week?

Have you worshipped your creator all week long this week?

2. Our Communication to God

Think about the last time you spoke with your heavenly Father… how real was it?

Don’t Be Careless With Your Prayers

I’ve learned that sometimes you are much more intelligent by using fewer words than your with a lot of words

John Bunyman, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress wrote, “In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart”

Prayer is a serious matter and I guarantee that if we had the opportunity to speak with the president of the United States, the CEO of the company we work for, we would be slow in our reproach and well versed in our words

Why should we be cautious with our words before God?

“For God is in Heaven and you on earth

You are not as big as you think you are!

Do you realize that what God’s Word says, is what we do!?

If we don’t, He will judge!

You better consider your approach next time to talking with your creator

b. Don’t Be Careless Making Vows to God

God never forced his people to make a vow in order for him to accept them, however he allowed them to if His people felt let to show their devotion

Today, we don’t know what it means make a vow

People would make vows with their femur being on the line!

What? our most “daring” vow is the pinky promise!

You may be saying, “Timothy no one makes vows to God anymore”

FALSE! “If God answers my prayer, I will give $500 to missions” “If God provides this for me, I will go to church TWO times this week!”

Really? You’re making it to where it depends on what HE does, is what you will give in return.

Illustration: I think of a big brother situation

Application

Some of you are here today, because of a vow you made to God.

Some of you are only here because you think your doing God a favor by blessing Him with your presence but in reality you are offering the sacrifice of a fool which he does not honor because that means you have no fear, no respect, no reverence towards awe-struct wondering of our creator.

Some of us are here today, coming in not giving one EAR to what our Creator has to say about YOUR own life. Why? Because there is no more fear, no more respect, no more reverence to the person and the power of our creator. You may be numb.

3. Fear God

Timothy, how do we get to the place where we correctly worship our God?

You submit to the awe-struck wonder of our Creator.

You admit that He is God and YOU are not!

You come here because all week long you have dwelt on who He is and how WORTHY He is of our lives, our hearts, our obedience.

4. Consequence of Ignoring This Warning

God will be angry, and he will destroy the works of your hands

One day every person that has ever lived, will understand, will realize that our God is who He says He is.