WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD

WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Key Verse: “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.” — 1 Corinthians 11:20 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1; Psalm 51:17; Matthew 5:23-24; Hebrews 12:28; Micah 6:8

Description: Worship that pleases God is not merely about gathering together, singing songs, giving offerings, or participating in religious activities. God desires worship that flows from a sincere heart and is demonstrated through love, unity, humility, reverence, and consideration for others.

INTRODUCTION

Worship is one of the greatest privileges given to God's people. Whenever believers gather together, they have the opportunity to honour God, celebrate His goodness, hear His Word, and fellowship with one another. However, Scripture teaches that it is possible to gather for worship while our attitudes and conduct are displeasing to God.

The Corinthian church provides a serious warning. They gathered together, but there were divisions, selfishness, social inequalities, and disregard for fellow believers among them. Their gatherings were therefore doing more harm than good. Paul told them that what they were doing could not properly be regarded as celebrating the Lord's Supper.

God is not impressed merely by the outward appearance of worship. He examines the heart behind it. True worship must be accompanied by genuine love for God and people. If we lift our hands to God while deliberately hurting others, sing praises while harbouring bitterness, or participate in communion while treating fellow believers with contempt, our outward worship contradicts the God we claim to worship.

1. WORSHIP MUST COME FROM A SINCERE HEART

God looks beyond outward religious activity.

a) Worship In Spirit And Truth (John 4:23-24)
God seeks worshippers whose worship is genuine and truthful.

b) God Looks At The Heart (1 Samuel 16:7)
God is more concerned with the condition of the heart than outward appearance.

c) Offer Yourself To God (Romans 12:1)
True worship involves surrendering our entire lives to God.

d) Come With A Broken And Contrite Heart (Psalm 51:17)
God values genuine repentance and humility.

Biblical Example: David understood that God desired inward repentance rather than merely outward religious performance (Psalm 51:16-17).

2. WORSHIP MUST BE FREE FROM SELFISHNESS

The Corinthians allowed selfishness to corrupt their gathering.

a) Consider Others (1 Corinthians 11:21)
Worship should not become an opportunity to satisfy personal desires at the expense of others.

b) Do Nothing From Selfish Ambition (Philippians 2:3)
Self-centredness has no place in genuine Christian fellowship.

c) Look To The Interests Of Others (Philippians 2:4)
True worship produces consideration and compassion.

d) Serve One Another (Galatians 5:13)
Christian freedom should be expressed through loving service.

Biblical Example: Jesus demonstrated selfless service by washing His disciples' feet (John 13:12-15).

3. WORSHIP MUST PROMOTE UNITY

God is pleased when His people walk together in love.

a) Avoid Divisions (1 Corinthians 11:18)
Paul specifically addressed divisions among the Corinthians when they gathered.

b) Be Of One Mind (Philippians 2:2)
Believers are called to pursue unity.

c) Dwell Together In Unity (Psalm 133:1)
Unity among God's people creates an atmosphere of blessing.

d) Keep The Unity Of The Spirit (Ephesians 4:3)
Unity must be deliberately protected.

Biblical Example: The early church continued steadfastly in fellowship and shared life together (Acts 2:42-47).

4. WORSHIP MUST HONOUR EVERY MEMBER OF THE BODY

No believer should be despised or neglected.

a) The Church Is One Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
Every believer has a place and value in Christ's body.

b) Honour One Another (Romans 12:10)
Christians should treat one another with dignity and respect.

c) Care For The Weaker Members (1 Corinthians 12:22-25)
Those who appear less prominent are still important to God.

d) Bear One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Genuine worship produces practical concern for others.

Biblical Example: The early believers cared for one another so that those in need were not neglected (Acts 4:34-35).

5. WORSHIP MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY LOVE

Love is an essential evidence of genuine Christianity.

a) Love Is Greater Than Religious Gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Religious activity without love becomes spiritually empty.

b) Love Your Brethren (1 John 4:20-21)
We cannot claim to love God while deliberately hating others.

c) Walk In Love (Ephesians 5:2)
Christ's love should shape our daily behaviour.

d) Let Love Govern Everything (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Everything we do should be done with love.

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan demonstrated practical love rather than merely religious observance (Luke 10:30-37).

6. WORSHIP MUST BE APPROACHED WITH REVERENCE

God deserves honour when His people gather before Him.

a) Worship With Reverence (Hebrews 12:28)
Our worship should recognise God's holiness and majesty.

b) Fear God And Keep His Commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Reverence for God should influence our conduct.

c) Do Not Treat Holy Things Carelessly (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)
Paul warned believers about approaching the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner.

d) Honour God's Presence (Exodus 3:5)
An awareness of God's presence should produce reverence.

Biblical Example: Isaiah's encounter with God's holiness produced deep humility and repentance (Isaiah 6:1-5).

7. WORSHIP MUST BE SUPPORTED BY RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS

Our relationship with people affects our worship.

a) Reconcile With Your Brother (Matthew 5:23-24)
Jesus taught that reconciliation should precede offering at the altar when there is unresolved offence.

b) Forgive Others (Colossians 3:13)
Forgiveness reflects the grace we have received from Christ.

c) Pursue Peace (Romans 12:18)
Believers should actively seek peace where possible.

d) Do Not Keep Bitterness (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Bitterness can corrupt relationships and hinder spiritual fellowship.

Biblical Example: Joseph chose forgiveness and reconciliation rather than revenge against his brothers (Genesis 50:15-21).

8. WORSHIP MUST PRODUCE A TRANSFORMED LIFE

The worship God accepts should continue beyond the church service.

a) Walk In Obedience (1 Samuel 15:22)
Obedience is more valuable to God than empty religious activity.

b) Practise Justice And Mercy (Micah 6:8)
God desires a life characterised by righteousness, mercy, and humility.

c) Let Your Life Reflect Christ (Matthew 5:16)
Our conduct should cause others to glorify God.

d) Do Everything For God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Every part of life should become an expression of worship.

Biblical Example: Cornelius demonstrated devotion through prayer, generosity, and godly living, and his life attracted God's attention (Acts 10:1-4).

CONCLUSION

Worship that pleases God is not measured merely by the quality of our singing, the length of our prayers, the size of our offerings, or the excitement of our gatherings. God examines the heart and the life behind the worship. The Corinthians gathered together, but their selfishness and divisions made their worship unacceptable.

Let your worship begin with a sincere heart and be demonstrated through love, humility, unity, obedience, reverence, and consideration for others. When we gather together, let us not merely ask, “Did I enjoy the service?” but also, “Was God honoured, and did my life reflect Christ?” When our worship is genuine both in the sanctuary and in daily life, it becomes worship that truly pleases God.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me a sincere heart that worships You in spirit and in truth, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, remove every form of selfishness and pride that can corrupt my worship, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to promote unity, peace, and fellowship among Your people, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me grace to honour and value every member of the body of Christ, in Jesus name.

5. Father, fill my heart with genuine love and help me to demonstrate that love through my actions, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, teach me to approach Your presence and holy things with reverence and godly fear, in Jesus name.

7. Father, help me to forgive those who have offended me and pursue reconciliation wherever possible, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, remove every bitterness, resentment, division, and unforgiveness from my heart, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my worship produce obedience, holiness, mercy, humility, and righteousness in my daily life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my life a living sacrifice and let everything I do become worship that pleases You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. Your worship shall rise before God as a pleasing and acceptable offering.

2. Your heart shall remain sincere, pure, and fully devoted to God.

3. Every spirit of selfishness and pride shall lose its influence over your life.

4. You shall become an instrument of unity, peace, and reconciliation in the body of Christ.

5. The love of Christ shall govern your relationships and interactions with others.

6. You shall walk in reverence for God and honour the things that concern His kingdom.

7. Every root of bitterness, unforgiveness, and division shall be uprooted from your life.

8. Your worship shall produce visible transformation in your character and conduct.

9. Your life shall continually bring glory to God both in the church and outside the church.

10. You shall live a life of genuine worship, and your worship shall continually please God, in Jesus name.