Back to True Worship

Bible Passage:  Isaiah 1:10-20; Revelation 3:14-22

1. The people of Judah were religious

(a) Multitudes of sacrifices (verse 11)
(b) Burnt offerings (verse 11)
(c) Blood of bulls, lambs, and goats (verse 11)
(d) Incense (verse 13)
(e) Celebrations of New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations (verse 13)
(f) Assemblies (verse 13)

2. The LORD’s response

(a) Hatred (verse 14)
(b) Burdensome (verse 14)
(c) Hiding His face from them (verse 15)

3. The reason for the LORD’s disapproval

(a) Ritualistic religion that had no true heart relationship with God (verse 12)
(b) These sacrifices were “false,” “abominations,” and “detestable (vv. 12-15)

4. The LORD’s remedy for false worship

(a) Wash and clean yourselves (verse 16)—Confess [cf. Psalm 51]
(b) What is not pleasing to God must be removed (verse 16)
(b1) Internal cleansing results in external change: Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow (verse 17)—Repent
(c) Come to God for the grace of forgiveness (verse 18)
(c1) Cleansing is not automatic, but they must come and “reason” with God
(c2) If they are willing and obedient, they will enjoy God’s blessing (verse 19)

5. Lesson from Isaiah 1

(a) True worship is not a mere ritualistic gathering, but it is a daily life-style that is shaped and reshaped by who God is
(b) Worship can happen in the absence of music, offerings, etc., but it cannot happen without a proper reflection of who God is

6. Just as the people of Judah had, the followers of Jesus can have superficial relationship with the Father instead of a strong heart-relationship

(a) Neither cold nor hot (Revelation 3:14)—generate heat in their devotion to Christ
(b) Apathetic and lack of self-assessment (Revelation 3:17-18)
(c) Acting “self-sufficiently” (Revelation 3:17-18)
(d) A broken relationship where Jesus is standing outside (Revelation 3:20)

7. Jesus promises the reestablishment of the broken relationship and a possible restoration (Revelation 3:20-22), if they repented

Take Away

Confess and repent