True worshipers of God

 Many worship the Lord our God in vain. They waste their time and their resources by teaching the doctrines of men. True worshipers of God do not teach the commandments of men which turn one from the truth. Tit 1:14 Jesus accused the scribes and Pharisees, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). When one worships with the traditions and doctrines of men, it is a hypocritical worship. If we truly loved God, we would not use the traditions and doctrines of men, because we would only keep the commandments of God. Jn 14:15

When we add to or take from God’s Word, we are not true worshipers of God.Rev 22:18,19 We must speak only the oracles of God to be pleasing unto God. 1 Pet 4:11  We must not teach the wisdom of men, but that which the Spirit of God teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Cor 2:13 How can we add instrumental music, and still be pleasing to God. Eph 5:19 How can we go beyond that which was written, and say we are worshiping God in spirit and in truth. 1 Cor 4:6

 The only kind of response that God will accept is the kind of worship Jesus referred to as He talked with the woman at the well_ “spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Worship is to be of a spiritual nature. To worship in spirit is to worship from the heart. It involves understanding, meaning, and feeling. To worship in truth is to worship by the teachings of the truth, the Word of God (Jn. 17:17). The Word of God must be the standard by which we worship. Early Christians followed this rule when “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). As Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Cor 11:1

The TRUTH Authorizes 5 Acts of Worship:

• The Lord’s Supper
• It is to be observed every first day of the week in memory of the Lord’s death (1 Cor. 11:23-26f, Acts 20:7).
• Giving of our Means
• We are to give of our money as we have prospered without grudging or of necessity. (2 Cor. 9:7-14).
• Prayers To God
• Prayers are to be offered in praise, with thanksgiving to God (1 Cor. 14:15).
• Singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
• We are to glorify God in singing with our voices only. (Eph 5:19f; Col. 3:16).
• Preaching and Teaching God’s Word
• Preaching and teaching of God’s Word is to be done in and out of season edifying the body (the church) of Christ. (Acts 20:7ff; 2 Tim 4:2-5; Eph 4:12).

 The bible instructs us to “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Col 2:8 Let us not be like the young prophet who was sent to King Jeroboam with a message, and God told the prophet not to eat bread or drink water in that land, and not to return the same way he came. The prophet followed these commands until an older prophet told him a lie, that God had told him it was all right for the young prophet to eat with him. The young prophet died, not because of wickedness or lack of sincerity, but by believing a lie.1 Kings 13:15-24

Let no one steal your salvation by worshipping God falsely. We cannot judge a thing to be true just because a person said it. The young prophet lost his life to a lie. Even elders can be wrong when it comes to God’s Word. Paul told the elders from the church in Ephesus, “Among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30). Men have many differing ideas on what constitutes true worship. Jesus summed up true worship in one statement. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jn 4:24 The devil didn’t abide in the truth but rather in lies. Jn 8:44 Strive to be a true worshiper of God by following God’s truth and reject the lies of men.