HUMILITY IN OUR WORSHIP

Study John 4:20-24.

Worshipping God is more than attending a Sunday morning service. It is more than attending a Sunday evening and a Wednesday evening service. All three are absolutely necessary for the child of God to be properly equipped to serve God throughout the week in the home or the workplace. If we are not careful, we may do all the exterior things without truly worshipping God. Worship is God’s priority for the Christian, and if we are going to be true worshippers, we must use the right biblical methods.

  • Spiritual, not carnal
  • Upward, not downward.
  • Right objective, Jesus—not religious obligation.
  • Not man, movement, or machines, but the Master.

Nobody will become a leader until he is willing to be a follower, and followship begins with worshiping God in spirit and truth.

  • DEDICATION TO GOD

In the Bible, the father always taught the son what a real Christian man was like. The story is told of a child who asked his father, “Daddy, have I ever seen a real Christian man?”

In this portion of our study, we will look at Abraham as our example of what it means to be dedicated to God and family. Please read Genesis 18:16-22.

God called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees because of idolatry in the land and because God wanted to make of him a great nation through which The Messiah would come. Abram’s father, Terah, was heavily involved in idolatry. Sometimes God has to take us away from family and friends and maybe even a nation to make something out of us. This is especially true if there is any kind of wickedness that would keep us from serving God.

In verse 19, God said, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

God knew Abraham would command his family well. It proves that fathers ought to know God’s commands and teach them to their children. Families practicing their faith together are well-pleasing to God, and He requires that parents not only give guidance and direction but that their children “keep the way of the Lord.”

This is one of the better qualities of Abraham’s character. He not only prayed with his family, but he taught them and commanded them with authority. He was a prophet, a priest, and a king in his own house.  He not only took care of his own children but of his entire household. His servants were also taught to be dedicated servants. 

Fathers should initiate, instruct, and inspect the character and Christian manners of all under their roof. I believe this is the reason God made known to Abraham His purpose concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, for the benefit of those that were under his care.

I wonder about us? Are we commanding our households after God, and are we keeping the way of the Lord?

Judges 2:22, “That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.”

In this case, God proves them to see whether the children of Israel will keep the way of the Lord or not. God often has to prove or test us to see if we will keep the way of the Lord.

They must realize there is a connection between their obedience and His giving them and their children spiritual and physical blessings. How we need to improve our knowledge of God’s Word!

  • DEVOTION TO EACH OTHER

In the Christian home, the husband must submit to God, the wife to the husband, and the children to the parents. Submission is no more than yielding our inferior authority to the superior authority. In other words, if we want others to submit to us, we must be submitted to our authority—God. If we are critical, our children will become critical; they are a reflection of their parents.

Here is some food for thought: could it be that your spouse is worse than when you were first married because he or she is married to one who is worse?

  • DELIGHT IN THE WILL OF GOD

Three important principles:

  • A lack of character creates disrespect for authority.
  • Disrespect for authority leads to confusion.
  • Confusion creates disappointment.

Pride always says, “I want to do it my way.” God simply says, “You do it my way or the highway.” If we yield to Him internally, He will give us internal character.

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Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff

Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.