Danger in The House of Worship

DANGER IN THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 3 For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of a fool through many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it, for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
6 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.
Watch Your Step …
• Eccl 5:1-2 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, … (New American Standard)

Doing Evil ?…
Eccl 5:1-2 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. (New American Standard)
Sacrifice of Fools …
All assembling is a sacrifice …
But is our sacrifice inherently valuable?
Draw near to Listen…
Bible study and worship don’t help me unless I am willing to listen to God …
How to Worship …
I must first show Him that I love Him enough to listen to what He says …
Sons of Aaron …
Leviticus 10:1-5 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.'" So Aaron held his peace.
Traditions of men …
Mark 7:6-10 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
What should I be listening for?
The sermon .. listen to what God is saying
Bible class .. pay attention, apply lesson
Lord’s Supper … what Christ did for us, we are one body in Christ (1 Cor 11:23-28)

Making vows, keeping them…
4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it, for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

Making vows, keeping them…
When we pray we are making a vow …
“Our Father – we are His children, with responsibilities to our brothers and sisters
“Amen” – we agree, so be it, we will do this

Making vows, keeping them…
We sing hymns and make promises to God
“Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go ..
“Come share the Lord, no one a stranger here .
“I want to be a worker for the Lord …
Better not to vow…
Better not to sing ?
Better not to show up ?
Better not to worship ?
Jeremiah’s words …
Jeremiah 7:1-11 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 "Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, 'Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the Lord!'" 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4 Do not trust in these lying words, saying, 'The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these.'
Jeremiah’s words …
8 "Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, 10 and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'? 11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it," says the Lord.
Close the doors ?…
Malachi 1:8-10 "Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the Lord of hosts, "Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
DANGER IN THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7