THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

PSALMS 29:2

A. "WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS"
  1. It is as natural for a person to worship:
    1. As it is for a plant to grow toward the light
    2. It matters not whether the plant is in a cellar or a flower in the arctic region all reach out for the light
  2. The admonition of the Psalmist was, therefore, very timely:
    1. Worship seems to be part of man's nature; he will do worship to something no matter what
    2. But it is imperative that when we worship the Lord we do so in the beauty of holiness B. THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS
  3. Holiness what is it?
    1. To be holy means, to be fully dedicated to God and His word - 2 Cor. 6:14; Paul states a state of holiness in these words, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23
    2. To be holy is to be completely separated fro sin - body, soul and spirit - 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 John 3:7-11
    3. To be holy is to be spirituality sound and in harmony with the will of God expressed in His holy law - James 1:23; 2:8-11; I John 2:3-8
  4. The beauty of holiness:
    1. Real and abiding beauty is found in a life that experiences the divine life and manifests it in his worship; Examples: Stephen looked never more beautiful than in the last hour of his life - Acts 7:54-60. True beauty is a reflection of God - Moses revealed that radiant beauty - Ex. 34:30. The Son of man revealed this beauty in His worship - Luke 9:29
    2. Worship becomes beautiful when man is motivated by the love to God in the spirit of holiness
    3. When our prayers reflect a dedicated life, a separation from sin, our worship is beautiful
    4. The element of sincerity is a part of the beauty of holiness C. "WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS"
  5. Our text set up a standard for worship:
    1. Our approach to God is to be marked by a spirit of humility; Examples: the tax collector - or the publican revealed that spirit "God be merciful to me a sinner" - Luke 18:13. Zacchaeus, too, approached the Lord in great humility - Luke 19:9
    2. We are reverent in our conduct and in our words of prayer; we avoid pharisaical prayers - Matt. 6:5
  6. True and lasting beauty in our worship:
    1. Depends upon the indwelling and operation of the Holy Spirit; it is He who clothes us with the garment of salvation - Is. 61:10
    2. Best of all, dear friends, when the Son of God clothes us with the robe of His righteousness, then we are truly beautiful when we appear before the Lord - Rev. 19:7; I Cor. 1:30
    3. Our own righteousness is like filthy rags and makes us totally unfit to approach the throne of God - Is. 64:6; Rom. 7:24; Rev. 3:14-17
    4. It seems clear, also, that the Psalmist had the beautiful ceremonies of the sanctuary Ps. 27:4; 50:2
  7. What a message for God's people today:
    1. It pains us to note the irreverence of some of the people; evidently forgetting that the Lord is in the midst of His people
    2. Many seem to think of the Sabbath services as something common and they treat the place of worship in that manner
    3. How little do men realize the holiness of God and how reverently we should conduct ourselves in the place of worship
    4. "Reverence my sanctuary" - Lev. 19:30; 26:2
    5. "Holy and reverent is Thy name O God" - Ps. 111:9
  8. Worship is a part of man's life:
    1. Man will worship something
    2. But when we approach the living God, who is in His holy sanctuary; we should worship in Sprit and in truth - John 4:22-23


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