Proper Worship of the One True God
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 12/17/2017 AM |
Text: | Deuteronomy 4; Lord's Day 35 |
Psalters: | 17, 341, 137, 374 |
- The idea.
- God requires that He be worshiped, loved, and thanked, and that this be done accurately, i.e., as He has revealed Himself.
- 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).
- God further reveals Himself to His Spirit-filled people in His Word and in the preaching of His Word (I Cor. 1:21).
- This commandment establishes the “regulative principle” of worship (q. 96; Westminster Shorter, q. 50; Deut. 4:2; 12:31,32).
- We include in worship only what He commands, so He determines how man is to serve Him.
- Worship is praising God in Christ (not just exciting our emotions) unto the edification (not entertainment) of the church.
- God requires that He be worshiped, loved, and thanked, and that this be done accurately, i.e., as He has revealed Himself.
- God’s revelation of Himself is contrasted with images which man attempt to portray God.
- He is a Spirit (John 4:24), and thus it is impossible to make images of Him.
- God is not material and without tangible, visible form (John 1:18; Col.1:15).
- Therefore correct worship of God is not a matter of outward activity, but of our spirits (John 4:24).
- 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).
- Third, we do not need images, because of the nature of God’s covenant with us.
- Fourth, this is how we show our love for Him, for image worship is hating Him.
- He is a Spirit (John 4:24), and thus it is impossible to make images of Him.
- The commandment gives powerful incentives and encouragements to obey Him.
- First, God pursues with anger and jealousy those who hate Him, not worshiping Him as He commands.
- Second, God declares that disobedience to this command bears fruit on our children.
- Obedience is encouraged when God promises to show His mercy on those who serve Him as He commands.
- Resulting admonitions.