Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:39–40

Introduction

A. We have learned from the Old Testament that God does not accept every offering that man brings.

B. To be accepted by God, we must follow His instructions, put away sin from our lives, and give Him what He desires more than anything else we can offer Him—our whole hearts.

Discussion

I. God demanded order in Old Testament worship.

A. He demanded order even from creation (Genesis 1–3).

B. He commanded the Levites to set the sacrifices upon the altar “in order” (Leviticus 1; cf. Genesis 22:9; Exodus 39:37).

C. The orderliness in God’s worship distinguished it from all pagan worship (1 Kings 18; Jeremiah 19:5).

D. This order comes from God alone (2 Chronicles 29:25).

E. All of the implements used in OT worship were especially consecrated for that purpose (Hebrews 9:19–24; Exodus 24:5–6).

F. Those who acted without orders were not accepted (Leviticus 10:2; 1 Chronicles 15:13; 1 Samuel 15:23–24).

II. God still demands order in His worship today.

A. Paul told the saints in Corinth that they must worship “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

B. This means we must worship according to the tradition handed down from heaven (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:23).

Conclusion

A. Disorderly conduct in worship cost many their lives in OT times (Leviticus 10; Numbers 16; 1 Chronicles 15).

B. It is imperative that we learn to follow God’s orders in all things if we are to be good soldiers. Whose orders are you following?