1 Peter 2:1-10

Acceptable SacrificesAcceptable Sacrifices

We are priestsWe are priests–No separate priesthood No separate priesthood

(1 Peter 2:5) (1 Peter 2:5)

–Privileged to serve (John 3:5; 4:24)Privileged to serve (John 3:5; 4:24)

Unacceptable WorshipersUnacceptable Worshipers

Cain (Genesis 4)Cain (Genesis 4)–Proper object: GodProper object: God

–Wrong sacrifice Wrong sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4)(Hebrews 11:4)

Unacceptable WorshipersUnacceptable Worshipers

Saul Saul –Proper object: GodProper object: God

–Wrong person Wrong person (1 Samuel 13:11, 12)(1 Samuel 13:11, 12)

–Need to obey (1 Need to obey (1 Samuel 15:22, 23)Samuel 15:22, 23)

Vain WorshipVain Worship

Human traditionsHuman traditions–Matthew 15:8, 9Matthew 15:8, 9

–Acts 17:22, 23Acts 17:22, 23

–Colossians 2:8, 23Colossians 2:8, 23

SacrificeSacrifice

Time, energy, talents, moneyTime, energy, talents, money–Attend, if convenientAttend, if convenient

–Listen, but not for longListen, but not for long

–Help, if there is timeHelp, if there is time

–Give, if any is left overGive, if any is left over

David’s ExampleDavid’s Example

His offering (2 Samuel 24)His offering (2 Samuel 24)–Offered a place free (vv. 18, 22)Offered a place free (vv. 18, 22)

–David insisted on paying (v. 24)David insisted on paying (v. 24)

–Why? It would cost him nothingWhy? It would cost him nothing

–David knew about . . .David knew about . . .

Sacrifice or Convenience?Sacrifice or Convenience?

Hunger and thirst after Hunger and thirst after righteousness? (Matthew 5:6)righteousness? (Matthew 5:6)

Labor for imperishable meat? Labor for imperishable meat? (John 6:27)(John 6:27)

PreparationPreparation

Under the Law of MosesUnder the Law of Moses–Advance preparationAdvance preparation

–Still required proper attitude, Still required proper attitude, obedience, etc. obedience, etc. (Micah 6:6-8)(Micah 6:6-8)

PreparationPreparation

TodayToday–Worship God (Matthew 4:10)Worship God (Matthew 4:10)

–Serious occasion (Psalm 89:7)Serious occasion (Psalm 89:7)

–Arrayed in holiness Arrayed in holiness (Psalm 96:8, 9)(Psalm 96:8, 9)

PreparationPreparation

Ready to serve?Ready to serve?–Looked at the scheduleLooked at the schedule

–Arrive on time?Arrive on time?

–Left problems at Left problems at home?home?

ReverenceReverence

Proper attitudeProper attitude–In spirit and truth (John 4:24)In spirit and truth (John 4:24)

–Not form only Not form only (Isaiah 1:10-15)(Isaiah 1:10-15)

–Guard our hearts Guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23)(Proverbs 4:23)

DistractionsDistractions

Arriving late: Priorities? Arriving late: Priorities? –Deuteronomy 31:10-13Deuteronomy 31:10-13

–Joshua 8:34, 35Joshua 8:34, 35

Excessive moving aboutExcessive moving about

Sleeping, passing notes, talking, Sleeping, passing notes, talking, etc.etc.

AppearanceAppearance

ModestyModesty–Appropriate (1 Timothy 2:9)Appropriate (1 Timothy 2:9)

–Joseph’s example (Genesis 41:14)Joseph’s example (Genesis 41:14)

–Would you have to “dress up” in Would you have to “dress up” in order to go to work?order to go to work?

–Consider the GE Dress Code Consider the GE Dress Code (Co-op students 2003) (Co-op students 2003)

Ground Rules

EveryoneEveryone– No jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirtsNo jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts– Clothing should be ironed and cleanClothing should be ironed and clean

– If in doubt, ask before you wear itIf in doubt, ask before you wear it– Don't make your clothing be the one Don't make your clothing be the one

thing people remember about you thing people remember about you (because that almost always means (because that almost always means you've made a bad impression)you've made a bad impression)

Ground RulesGround Rules

WomenWomen– Your clothing should not be Your clothing should not be

revealing. When you raise your revealing. When you raise your arms, does your shirt come out or arms, does your shirt come out or ride up and expose your tummy or ride up and expose your tummy or back? If so, you need a different back? If so, you need a different shirt. Does your skirt come down shirt. Does your skirt come down to the top of your knees? If not, to the top of your knees? If not, you need a longer skirt.you need a longer skirt.

Ground RulesGround Rules

WomenWomen–Spaghetti straps are a no-no. If you Spaghetti straps are a no-no. If you

want to wear something sleeveless, want to wear something sleeveless, make sure you are not revealing make sure you are not revealing more than you should. Check to more than you should. Check to make sure the armholes are fitted make sure the armholes are fitted (and it’s a good idea to have a (and it’s a good idea to have a sweater with you just in case)sweater with you just in case)

Ground RulesGround Rules

WomenWomen–Is your shirt or blouse low cut? If Is your shirt or blouse low cut? If

you can't comfortably bend over you can't comfortably bend over and pick up your pen, without fear and pick up your pen, without fear of someone "catching a glimpse", of someone "catching a glimpse", change your shirt.change your shirt.

–Just make sure that you are not Just make sure that you are not wearing clothing more suited to a wearing clothing more suited to a day at the beach or a weekend.day at the beach or a weekend.

Ground RulesGround Rules

MenMen–Make sure your clothing is pressed Make sure your clothing is pressed

and ironed. Don’t look like you just and ironed. Don’t look like you just rolled out of bed (even if you did!) rolled out of bed (even if you did!) Remember, coming to work isn’t Remember, coming to work isn’t like going to your 8:00 am class in like going to your 8:00 am class in sweats and a hat!sweats and a hat!

–Accessories are important- always Accessories are important- always wear socks and a belt.wear socks and a belt.

AppearanceAppearance

ModestyModesty– Appropriate (1 Timothy 2:9)Appropriate (1 Timothy 2:9)– Joseph’s example (Genesis 41:14)Joseph’s example (Genesis 41:14)– Would you have to “dress up” in order to Would you have to “dress up” in order to

go to work?go to work?– Consider the GE Dress CodeConsider the GE Dress Code– Reveals our attitude toward the Reveals our attitude toward the

importance of the occasionimportance of the occasion

ConclusionConclusion

Need for periodic examinationNeed for periodic examination

Are you worshiping acceptably?Are you worshiping acceptably?