Why we must worship the Right God the Right Way
“For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth and generation of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:5b-6)
scripture reading: Exodus 34:5-17
"we have looked at the 1st and the 2nd commandment but before the Lord moves on to the 3rd commandment He adds/impends something to the 2nd commandment."
> But why was it added here? - previously we have been taught which God is the right God and how to worship the right God the right way;- now we need to see thy this is so important “For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.”
Three Motives to Acceptable Worship
1. God is a Jealous God
2. God is a Sin Visiting God
3. God is a Mercy Showing God
*1* (jealous)
> jealousy is a mixture of love and anger – can be illustrated by the feelings of a husband when his wife breaks her wedding vow. He is angry that she is not being faithful to him but he still loves her and wants her back as his own.
> the Lord says “I am a jealous God”
> he is a husband to his people for he has said "I am the Lord THY God"
> in a spiritual sense we are like the unfaithful wife toward her husband
> if we are more eager in our work, in our earthly friendships, and are not so eager about worshipping the right God in the right way, we are breaking the 1st and 2nd commandment.
> the Lord will not accept this
> it is at times like this that God will show His jealousy
> He may therefore withdraw Himself from His people
> His bride needs to feel that He is a jealous God
> we also read in Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God”
> and Israel should remember this
Example: Nadab and Abihu (Aarons sons)
> They brought strange fire into the worship of the Lord. They may have had good intentions but there were not following the law of God and were killed with fire from heaven. They had not even been priest for one day (Leviticus 10)
> The Lord does not tolerate it when we do not place Him 1st, when we do not worship Him the way He has commanded.
> Yes he is also merciful
> How merciful has the Lord been to you?
> Have you gone day by day not placing Him 1st, going about your day putting all your care upon other things.
> There is a limit to His patience, take his jealousy to heart.
> Worship Him the way he desires to be worshiped with your heart, your whole heart.
* 2 * (sin visiting)
>Those who do not worship the Lord inwardly or outwardly are called haters of Him
> no they do not all show their hatred the same way
> there are some who show their hatred outwardly and quite blatantly
>but then there are others like the Pharisees who seemed very religious on the outside
>but God knows what is in their hearts, he seems the enmity that lies there
> is this what the Lord has to say about you? A hater of him?
> being a hater of God has its consequences, for your sins will be visited
> it is no small thing to be a hater of God, for he will visit the sin unto the 3rd and 4th generation
> God will visit the children of those who hate Him and their children’s children
>your actions have consequences on both you and your children.
> must we suffer because of our father and our grandfathers?
> does it not say in Ezekiel 18:20 –“ The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
> yes but if a father or a grandfather decides to worship the Lord their own way it has consequences for himself as well as those who are close to him. Because the Lord will withdraw himself from this family. The children will as generation go by move further and further away from the Lord
Example 1: King Jeraboam (known as the one who made Israel to sin)
>the Israelites did not have to go along with Jeraboam in worshipping the calves in Bethel, they could have easily said no and continued worshipping in Jerusalem. The Lord then would not have punished the people but just Jeraboam.
> however Jeraboam’s sin became their sin and they and their children were over taken and carried away captive
> Children do not have to go in the steps of their fathers
Example 2: Korah, Dathan and Abiram
> the children of Korah would not stand by their father – and they were saved (Numbers 26:11)
> however in many cases the children follow in the sins of their parents
> it is dangerous to take even the smallest steps away from the Lord
> over the generations the steps keep moving further and further and soon the children will not even know the Lord
Beware: fathers/mothers of what you do and don’t do (Eli the high priest)
> show your children that God is a jealous and holy God
Do we love or hate our children?
Let us do what is best for them and remember that God is a sin visiting God.
Everyday we go unconverted we are affecting the salvation of our children
* 3 * (mercy showing)
> there are also those who love God and keep His commandments
> these two things go together
> you can not say you love God yet do not follow His Word and law
> by nature we all hate God, but as it is written in Eph 2:4,5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.”
> God writes his law on their hearts
> the Lord is pleased to work through the generation
Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”
> children who live in a home where God is loved are very privileged
Examples: Philippian jailer, family of Lydia, Rahab
>However remember you are not saved as a family or because of your family
> salvation is individual
Illustration: security checks – you pass through alone
> Salvation is a personal thing, but the Lord shows mercy to the thousands
> There is room for you and your whole household by the Lord
Conclusion
> There are only two kinds of people (haters and lovers of God)
> There is no in between, no 3rd group
> So which one are you?
> Do you hate God or are you someone who loves God?
> What can God say of you today?
> Let us take this time to examine our own heart
> If you have found yourself a hater, take the example of the publican “God be merciful to me a sinner” for not only is our God a jealous God but he is also a merciful God.
Before I continue to post the sermon notes of the Holy Law of God, I would like to give you the opportunity to post some items that hold some importance to you. Maybe you have read an article, poem, story, notes, or song that made your thoughts turn heavenward again. If you email this piece of writing to me at christlikecharity@gmail.com I will be more than willingly to post it as soon as I can. Also if there is a topic you might like me to address I will look into it and see what I can give. 
