Proper Worship of the One True God

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Deuteronomy 4; Lord's Day 35
Psalters: 17, 341, 137, 374
  1. The idea.
    1. God requires that He be worshiped, loved, and thanked, and that this be done accurately, i.e., as He has revealed Himself.
      1. God reveals Himself to all men in creation (Rom. 1:18,20) and puts the work of the law in them (Rom. 1:19; 2:14,15).
      2. God further reveals Himself to His Spirit-filled people in His Word and in the preaching of His Word (I Cor. 1:21).
    2. This commandment establishes the “regulative principle” of worship (q. 96; Westminster Shorter, q. 50; Deut. 4:2; 12:31,32).
      1. We include in worship only what He commands, so He determines how man is to serve Him.
      2. Worship is praising God in Christ (not just exciting our emotions) unto the edification (not entertainment) of the church.
  2. God’s revelation of Himself is contrasted with images which man attempt to portray God.
    1. He is a Spirit (John 4:24), and thus it is impossible to make images of Him.
      1. God is not material and without tangible, visible form (John 1:18; Col.1:15).
      2. Therefore correct worship of God is not a matter of outward activity, but of our spirits (John 4:24).
    2. Second, God is infinite in His being and His glory, in His majesty and in every virtue(Job 37:22,23,26; Isa. 40:25,27,28).
    3. Third, we do not need images, because of the nature of God’s covenant with us.
    4. Fourth, this is how we show our love for Him, for image worship is hating Him.
  3. The commandment gives powerful incentives and encouragements to obey Him.
    1. First, God pursues with anger and jealousy those who hate Him, not worshiping Him as He commands.
    2. Second, God declares that disobedience to this command bears fruit on our children.
    3. Obedience is encouraged when God promises to show His mercy on those who serve Him as He commands.
    4. Resulting admonitions.