Title So that it may be received with pleasure
Contents
Title: May You Be Rejoiced
Text: (Leviticus 22:17-33)
Hymns: 213. give my life
Date: November 30, 2011 (Wednesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
Below the bust of famous author Edgar Allan Poe, kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, reads: “He was very talented, but he was unhappy. His death was even more tragic.” Even believers can be so unhappy. When it is not the joy of God, the salvation he received has no effect.
1. Devotion that pleases God
It is important to go to God and worship, but even more important is to worship properly. The text refers to all kinds of gifts offered to God. Remembering God and offering gifts at the right time shows devotion well. There are a few things to keep in mind when dedicating yourself to God. That is, ‘Is that the joy of God?’ Devotion to your own satisfaction other than the joy of God means nothing. So, what is a devotion that is pleasing to God? It is a commitment made according to God's standards, not bets and convenience. When we dedicate ourselves according to God's pleasure and according to God's standards, God is pleased with our dedication. This was the standard of faith life for the priests and the whole house of Israel to listen and practice together.
2. Devotion not pleasing to God
Giving to God does not necessarily have to be large and numerous. God does not accept sacrifices because they are large and numerous. There is one condition that God accepts, and that is perfection. It is not worthy of offerings to God that are blind, bruised, or blemished. You must not offer anything that has defects or blemishes. God is interested in whether the offering is perfect according to God's standards. Some of our devotions are not perfect. Devotion without a heart or a devotion offered by force is not perfect, so God is not pleased with it. Let's examine for ourselves what our devotion to God is now.
3. The God Who Sanctifies
In the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught, the phrase ‘Hallowed be your name’ appears. This means acknowledging the sovereignty and rule of God on his heavenly throne. We must not do anything that undermines the sovereignty of God. God wanted Israel to be glorified by making Israel his people. He also wants to be sanctified by the people. And God requires us to be holy, just as He is holy. As children of Christ, we must glorify God with our bodies, aim for a life worthy of God's calling, and live a life of obedience to the commandments He has given us.
Those who have an open heart toward God always risk their lives to pursue what pleases God. We live a life of service according to God's standards. Even if such a life seems small and insignificant, it is pleasing to God. I hope that you and I will be able to please God every day.
<Prayer>
1. Let us live a life that pleases God through a holy life!
2. Let the rivers of living water overflow from the Yebut pulpit!
3. Heal the weak members of the church and give us strength in body and soul!