03(Lev 10,01-11)Fear Factor, Whats Missing in Our Worship
Text: Leviticus 10:1-11
Nadab and Abihu are first mentioned:
1. Exodus 6:23 Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2. Abihu’s name means “my father he is.” Nadab means “noble”.
3. These two were born into slavery in Egypt.
4. Nadab was firstborn; Abihu second. – Numbers 3:2. They were probably close in age.
5. Other than that we don’t know much about them – until Exodus 24.
Nadab and Abihu were part of an amazing event:
6. Read Exodus 24:1.
7. They were part of the group privileged to attend to Moses.
8. Read Exodus 24:9-11.
9. Hear that! They saw God and lived to tell about it. This was an honor that neither would likely ever forget.
Later, God reveals His plan for a priesthood: (Read Exodus 28:1-15).
10. They have seen the miracles/plagues in Egypt.
11. They have seen the Red Sea part before them, and God’s deliverance.
12. They felt the mountains tremble, and had the privilege of seeing God.
13. They were chosen as God’s priests.
14. Their life was special – privileged – honored.
But then, their life took a tragic turn: (Read Leviticus 10:1-11).
15. They have just finished being consecrated as priests of God.
16. They have known God in ways most of Israel could never know.
17. They have grown reckless and careless.
18. They have taken God for granted.
19. Their biggest mistake: failing to give glory to God (verse 3).
20. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
21. They looked important to Israel, and no doubt to themselves.
22. They have forgotten to worship with FEAR:
Fidelity – everyone and everything else is tuned out.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Edifying –
John Stott: “our worship is poor because our knowledge of God is poor.”
1 Corinthians 14:14-16; 23-25.
We are to worship in spirit and IN TRUTH. The effect of a purely emotional service is that people feel good. The effect of truth is that people worship God.
Effects of the Word in worship: Nehemiah 8:1-2; 5-6. the truth of scriptures threw them onto their knees in worship.
Acceptable – not with hearts filled by sin (pride, hate, etc.)
Psalms 24:3-6 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.Selah
Until we understand the holiness of God, we can never know the depth of our sin.
1. There is too much casualness in worship – we have become too shallow.
2. God’s grace does not cancel His holiness.
3. Attempting to worship while polluted with sin. God cannot tolerate sin.
Amos 5:21-23 "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
Reverence. An awe for who God is, amazed by His creation, His power, His majesty.
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
Hebrews 12:18-29
18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.") 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.