Join Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as he continues with part 2 of Chapter 25 of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, in which we discover America mentioned in scripture through prophecy in Revelation.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-chapter-25-a-threefold-warning-part-3-pastor-ted-wilson/

12.6 Summary
The Essence of Worship: Diversity, Authenticity, and Spirituality

Lesson 12 addresses the topic of true worship and the importance of sincere devotion of the heart to God. By examining various Psalms (especially Psalm 40, Psalm 50, and Psalm 51) as well as the teachings of Jesus in John 4, it becomes clear that God is not only interested in external rites and sacrifices but primarily in a sincere heart that loves Him, obeys Him, and seeks Him in all things.

The Psalms warn of the danger of hypocrisy in worship, where external acts of religiosity are accompanied by inner wickedness and injustice. They emphasize the necessity of true devotion and repentance toward God, as well as the importance of a sincere attitude of the heart in worship.

Jesus reinforces these teachings by emphasizing the importance of true worship in spirit and in truth. True worship goes beyond external rituals and requires inner spirituality and sincerity of the heart.

To ensure that our faith is not superficial but springs from an authentic relationship with God, we must focus on a personal relationship with God, maintain a sincere attitude of the heart, live out God’s commandments in our daily lives, and engage in a supportive community of believers that holds us accountable and supports us on the path of faith.

The connection between Lesson 12 and our everyday life and faith is extremely relevant and meaningful. Here are some aspects of this connection:

1. Authentic worship in daily life: The lesson reminds us that true worship is not limited to the worship service but should be a continuous lifestyle. Our daily lives should be characterized by a sincere desire to honor and serve God, whether through our work, relationships, or leisure activities.

2. Attitude of the heart and motivation: The Psalms and the teachings of Jesus emphasize the importance of the attitude of the heart in worship. This understanding has direct implications for our daily lives. We should regularly examine our motives and intentions to ensure they align with the principles of worshiping God.

3. Practical love for others: True worship includes practical love for others. Our faith should manifest in our actions toward others, whether through compassion, generosity, or willingness to serve. Our daily lives offer numerous opportunities to express God’s love and mercy to others.

4. Healthy community: The lesson highlights the importance of a supportive community of believers. In our daily lives, we should consciously engage in communities that spiritually strengthen us, hold us accountable, and support us on our faith journey.

5. Growth and change: Finally, the lesson reminds us that our faith is a dynamic process of growth and change. We should continuously strive to grow spiritually and develop in our daily lives by moving deeper into our relationship with God and implementing His truth in our lives.

Overall, the connection between Lesson 12 and our everyday life shows that our faith is not limited to specific religious activities but should be present in all areas of our lives. True worship is a lifestyle that manifests in our attitude of the heart, our actions, and our relationship with God.

1.What is the greatest gift of worshipers to God (Psalm 40:7–11; Romans 12:1–2)?

The greatest gift of worshipers to God is the dedication of their lives, will, and thoughts. In Psalm 40:7–11 and Romans 12:1–2, it is emphasized that true worship involves offering oneself as a living sacrifice to God, dedicating one’s life in service to God, and being renewed from the world to discern and do His will.

2.How are individual and communal worship connected? Why do we need both? How can one promote the other?

Individual and communal worship are closely connected and complement each other. Individual worship allows each believer to cultivate a personal relationship with God, experience their own spiritual journey, and connect with God on a personal level. Communal worship, on the other hand, fosters the community of believers, strengthens faith through mutual encouragement, and creates an atmosphere of unity in praise and worship.

We need both forms of worship because they fulfill different needs. Individual worship allows us to connect with God in a personal way, while communal worship helps us strengthen our bond with other believers and express our collective love and devotion to God.

One can promote the other by deepening the personal spirituality of each believer through individual worship, preparing them for communal worship. Communal worship, in turn, enhances individual worship by enriching it through the sharing of experiences, prayers, and praise.

3.Many people understand worship as prayer, singing hymns, and studying the Bible and spiritual literature. While these activities are essential for worship, is worship limited to them? Give some examples of other forms of worship.

Although prayer, singing hymns, and studying the Bible are important elements of worship, worship is not exclusively limited to them. There are many other forms of worship that are also significant and can enrich worship in diverse ways. Some examples of other forms of worship include:

1. Corporate fasting and prayer: Communities can gather together for fasting and experience a special time of spiritual deepening and renewal through intense prayer.

2. Worship in serving the needy: Through charitable activities such as soup kitchens, homeless assistance, or other forms of social support, believers can put their faith into practice and worship God through their service to the needy.

3. Nature worship: The beauty of nature can serve as a backdrop for worship by gathering believers outdoors to praise and worship God for His creation.

These examples demonstrate that worship is not limited to specific forms but rather offers a diverse and creative way to worship and honor God in various contexts.

4.Ellen White wrote: “We should not regard our service for him [God] as heart-saddening, burdensome religious drudgery. It should be a pleasure to us to worship Him and to aid in His work” (SC 106). How can worshiping God become a pleasure?

Worshiping God can become a pleasure when practiced from a heart of gratitude and joy. Here are some ways this can be achieved:

1.Cultivate gratitude: By consciously acknowledging how much God has done for us and how many blessings He bestows upon us, we can develop deep gratitude that makes worship a joyful act.

2.Focus on God: When we focus entirely on God during worship and shut out the distractions of the world, we can feel a deeper connection to Him and enjoy His presence.

3.Seek fellowship with others: Worshiping together with other believers can be inspiring and uplifting. By sharing experiences and prayers, we can share our joy in worship and grow together.

4.Renew the heart: By regularly reading the Bible, praying, and engaging in spiritual fellowship, we can open our hearts to God’s presence and develop a deeper love and devotion to Him, making worship a pleasure.

Ultimately, worship becomes a pleasure when it is done from a sincere and joyful heart filled with gratitude, love, and devotion.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-12-worship-that-never-ends-12-6-summary/

12.5 When God Does Not Delight in Sacrifices
Hypocrisy in Worship: The Warning of the Psalms and the Teachings of Jesus

Read Psalm 40:7–9; 50:7–23 and 51:18–21. What important theme do these Psalms address? Why does God not find pleasing the sacrifices He prescribed in His Word (Exodus 20:24)?

The mentioned Psalms, especially Psalm 40:7–9; 50:7–23, and 51:18–21, address an important theme revolving around the true meaning and motivation of worship. They emphasize the gap between external religiosity and inner spirituality, as well as the importance of sincere devotion and obedience to God.

These Psalms make it clear that God is not merely interested in external rituals and sacrifices but rather in a sincere heart and a life that obeys His commandments. God does not reject the sacrifices prescribed in His Word but rather the hollow rituals offered without true devotion and repentance. It is about not separating the external form of worship from internal attitude and spirituality.

The Psalmists criticize the abuses of worship, where external acts of worship are accompanied by internal wickedness and injustice. People bring sacrifices and observe festivals, but their hearts are not sincere before God. Their worship is empty and insincere because it is not accompanied by true repentance, obedience, and a life of righteousness.

This underscores the importance of internal attitude and motivation in worship. True worship entails not only external rituals and offerings but, above all, a heart that sincerely seeks God, obeys Him, and loves Him with all one’s heart. If the external form of worship does not align with internal motivation, worship loses its meaning and is not accepted by God.

The message of these Psalms reminds us that worship encompasses not only external actions but, above all, an attitude of the heart characterized by sincere devotion, repentance, and obedience. It is important that our external actions of worship are accompanied by internal spirituality so that they are pleasing to God and bring us closer to Him.

Read John 4:23–24. What does Jesus say here that aligns exactly with what the specified Psalms warn against?

In John 4:23–24, Jesus says: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

These words of Jesus align exactly with what the specified Psalms warn against. Jesus emphasizes here the importance of true worship, which includes not only external rites and sacrifices but, rather, an internal attitude of the heart. Similar to the Psalms, Jesus teaches that God is not only interested in external forms of worship but, above all, in a sincere heart and a life that obeys His commandments.

Jesus points out that God desires to be worshiped in spirit and truth. This means that true worship should be characterized by internal spirituality and sincerity. External rites and sacrifices alone are not sufficient if the heart is not filled with repentance, faith, and sincerity.

By emphasizing the importance of true worship in spirit and truth, Jesus confirms the warning of the Psalms against empty worship and futile sacrifices offered without genuine devotion. It is about ensuring that the external form of worship aligns with internal motivation and spirituality so that it is pleasing to God.

How can we, as Adventists, ensure that with all the knowledge and understanding, we do not fall into the trap of thinking that knowing the truth and following the rituals of truth are enough?

As Adventists, it is important for us to be aware that mere knowledge of the truth and following external rituals alone are not sufficient to have a true relationship with God or to lead a fulfilling spiritual life. Here are some steps that can help us avoid this trap:

1. Personal Relationship with God: We should ensure that our relationship with God is not based solely on external actions but that we maintain a personal and vibrant relationship with Him. This means praying regularly, studying the Bible, and spending time in communion with God.

2. Attitude of the Heart: It is important that our attitude of the heart aligns with our external actions. We should serve the Lord with a sincere and humble heart filled with love, gratitude, and obedience.

3. Practical Love for Others: True worship also includes practical love and care for others. We should not only follow the external rituals of truth but also actively strive to carry God’s love into the world by helping the needy and serving others.

4. Continuous Growth: We must not become complacent but should constantly strive for spiritual growth and development. This includes learning from the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

5. Examination of Motives: It is important to regularly examine our motives and reasons to ensure that our actions come from a pure heart and not from false motives or external pressures.

6. Community and Accountability: We should engage in a supportive community of believers and hold each other accountable to ensure that we stay on the right path and do not deceive ourselves with external forms of piety.

By following these principles and consciously striving to maintain an authentic and vibrant relationship with God, we can avoid falling into the trap of merely knowing and practicing the truth externally without it truly transforming our hearts and lives.

The connection between our daily lives and our faith lies in aligning our hearts and actions with God. The Psalms, especially Psalm 40, Psalm 50, and Psalm 51, as well as the words of Jesus in John 4, teach us that true worship consists not only of external rites and sacrifices but primarily requires an inner attitude of the heart.

These Psalms and the words of Jesus warn us against separating external forms of worship from inner spirituality and sincerity. God is not only interested in external rituals but above all desires a heart that sincerely seeks Him and obeys Him.

The connection with our daily lives entails that our faith and worship should be reflected in our daily actions, decisions, and relationships. We should strive to live out God’s commandments in our daily lives and show His love and care for others. Our worship should not be confined to the Sabbath or church service but should permeate our entire lifestyle.

To ensure that we do not fall into the trap of merely knowing and practicing the truth externally, we can focus on the following principles:

1. Personal Relationship with God: Foster a personal and vibrant relationship with God through regular prayer, Bible study, and communion with Him.

2. Attitude of the Heart: Ensure that your attitude of the heart aligns with your outward actions. Service and worship should stem from a sincere and humble heart.

3. Practical Love for Others: Demonstrate God’s love in your daily life by serving others, helping the needy, and promoting justice and compassion.

4. Continuous Growth: Strive to grow spiritually and continually develop in your faith by learning, praying, and fellowshiping with other believers.

5. Examination of Motives: Regularly reflect on your motives and reasons for your actions and worship to ensure they come from a pure heart.

6. Community and Accountability: Engage in a supportive community of believers that holds you accountable and helps you stay on the right path.

By applying these principles in our daily lives, we can ensure that our faith is not merely external but springs from an authentic and vibrant relationship with God that permeates our entire existence.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-12-worship-that-never-ends-12-5-when-god-does-not-delight-in-sacrifices/