How should church leaders ensure respect for God's commands in worship? Setting the Scene • In Shiloh, Eli’s sons—serving as priests—seized the best portions of every sacrifice and bullied worshipers into compliance. • 1 Samuel 2:17: “So the sin of these young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.” • God’s verdict is unmistakable: contempt for His prescribed worship is “very great” sin. The Heart of the Offense • They ignored God’s explicit commands (Leviticus 3:3-5), replacing them with personal appetite. • They leveraged spiritual authority for self-advancement, poisoning the people’s view of worship (v. 24). • By dishonoring offerings, they dishonored the God who instituted them (Malachi 1:6-7). Principles for Today’s Leaders • God alone defines acceptable worship (Leviticus 10:3). • Spiritual office does not shield anyone from judgment (1 Samuel 2:34; James 3:1). • What leaders tolerate shapes the congregation’s reverence—or irreverence—toward God (Ezekiel 22:26). Practical Steps to Safeguard Worship 1. Teach the Word faithfully – Exposition, not opinion (2 Timothy 4:2). – Show how every element of gathered worship roots in Scripture. 2. Model holy fear – Personal obedience matters as much as public ministry (1 Timothy 4:16). – Guard private life; hidden sin eventually corrodes public worship (Luke 12:2). 3. Protect the ordinances – Approach the Lord’s Table with self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). – Administer baptism as Christ commanded—repentance and faith first (Acts 2:38). 4. Practice accountable leadership – Plurality of qualified elders prevents tyranny (Titus 1:5-9). – Transparent handling of finances and offerings counters temptation (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). 5. Discipline when necessary – Unchecked contempt spreads (1 Corinthians 5:6). – Correct in humility, aiming for restoration (Galatians 6:1). 6. Foster order and clarity – “Everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner” (1 Corinthians 14:40). – Clear guidelines for music, prayer, preaching, and congregational participation keep focus on God, not personalities. Voices of Scripture Echoing the Call • John 4:24—worship in spirit and truth. • Hebrews 12:28—serve “with reverence and awe.” • Ecclesiastes 5:1—“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.” • Revelation 4:10-11—the heavenly pattern: wholehearted honor to the Lamb. Blessings of Honoring God’s Commands • God’s presence and favor rest on obedient worship (Exodus 40:34-35). • The church becomes a showcase of His holiness to the watching world (1 Peter 2:9). • Believers grow in joy and assurance when leaders keep worship anchored in God’s truth (Psalm 16:11). |
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