"Worthless Worship"

Sermon Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Sermon Notes are available to follow along below or for download here.

Sermon Notes:

Asking the Right Questions:

• The wrong question: What did ___ get out of worship today?
• The right question: Was ________ pleased with my worship today?
• The question is not IF we will worship, but rather HOW and WHO we will worship.

I. Preparation: What We Should Do BEFORE Worship (5:1)

• We must not be ___________ in our worship.
  • If you treat God lightly, you fail to honor him as _________.
  • If you approach God rightly, you will come to him ____________.
• We must be _________ to speak and __________ to listen.
  • We pay attention to the ________ of God as it is read and preached.
  • We submit to obey the ________ of God as it is revealed in Scripture.
    • A faithful worshiper goes to church to hear ________.
    • A foolish worshiper goes to church to hear ___________.
    • You need to hear from God more than God needs to hear from you.

II. Participation: How We Should Act DURING Worship (5:2-3)

• We dare not be ___________ with our words.
  • We must avoid using _________ words. (2)
  • We must avoid using _________ words. (3)
    • A busy mind races with many dreams, and a fool’s mouth runs with many words.
• Don’t let your __________ outrun your brain.
• Don’t let your __________ rush you into words.
• We must be ____________ with our words.
  • Remember who you are speaking to.
    • You are speaking to the holy God in ___________.
  • Remember who you are.
    • You are a sinful human on __________.
  • Therefore, let your words be _________.

III. Practice: How We Should Live AFTER Worship (5:4-7)

• We must be _____________ in our walk.
  • All true worship involves making commitments to God in response to His word.
  • A vow was a special promise made by a worshiper in response to answered prayers.
  • Some tried to avoid paying the vow after God had answered their prayer.
  • Their mouths led them into _______. God does not take careless vows lightly.
    • Careless vows bring God’s __________ on our words.
    • Careless vows bring God’s _____________ on our works.
• When you come to worship God:
  • _________ before you _________.
  • _________ what you _________.
  • _________ what you _________.
• Casual worship, careless words, and empty promises produce worship that is ___________.
• True worship begins with ___________ God.