Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

When you come into the Lord’s House to worship, what goes through your mind?

I was thinking about this while I was at the convention this past week.

I looked around the room during the worship time and I looked at those leading worship.

I watched their body language and their faces.

I tried to think through what they might be thinking in their minds as they worshiped God.

Sometimes we can tell when someone is truly worshiping God.

We can see it written all over them.

We can also easily see when someone isn’t and is simply performing.

There is a popular Christian song by Mandissa that has a line in it that says, “I’m about to get my worship on.”

Now, I’m not trying to disparage Mandissa, but I think a lot of people think about worship as their own worship.

And for many that is what it is.

It is about them and not the Lord.

Tonight, I want to share with you a few principles for worship as we look at Leviticus 9. Now, next week we will take a peak at what bad worship looks like, but for now, join with me as we look at these 7 principles for worship in Lev. 9.

However, I want to skip ahead and read to you Lev. 10:10-11 before we begin to look at these.

Pray.

1. God is Holy and Must Be Worshiped in a Certain Manner (vv.

1-2)

There was a particular day

There was a particular manner.

This manner is contrasted in chapter 10 when Nadab and Abihu do it their own way.

This all points to Christ.

He is the only way to the Father.

There are not many ways.

If we want fellowship with God we must come through Jesus.

2. We Must Worship God with a Pure Heart (vv.

2-11, 15)

The priest had to come clean before he could minister on behalf of the people

The people also had guilt that needed to be confessed.

In addition to this sin being confessed, we need to come clean with why we are worshiping in the first place.

Is it to manipulate God to get something?

Is it to honor and praise His name?

Is it some other reason?

3. Worship is Not About Us (v.6)

Worship is about ascribing worship to God

It’s not my worship that I’m about to get going, but worship of Almighty God

This day was about God getting the glory

If we steal glory from God, He will not show up.

This is ultimately the sin of blasphemy.

It is making ourselves out to be better than God

4. Worship is an Outward Expression of Dedication to God (vv.

12-14, 16)

There were visual elements of worship

5. Worship Involves Fellowship with God (vv.

17-18)

After the sin offering and burnt offering, came the grain offering

The goal of worship was to come into God’s presence to fellowship with Him

6.

Both the Pastor and the People Must Be Right with God (vv.22-24)

When the pastor and the people are not right with God, He hides His presence

Listen to Malachi 2:1-2 “1 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings.

Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.”

Back a chapter earlier God said,

Mal.

1:10 “10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!

I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.”

If we aren’t going to worship God the way He desires, it would be better to just stay home!

7. Worship is a Blessing for God’s People (v.

22)

Why does God want our worship?

Does He need it?

The answer is no! God doesn’t need it, but He is worthy of it.

To worship any other thing is to ascribe worth to something that is unworthy

We give our worship to God because He is worthy and it is a blessing to us to do so!

Conclusion:

Worship is a matter of the heart and the mind and the body.

Worship isn’t about us.

It is about God.

Are we giving Him the worship that is due Him?