What God Really Wants

We all worship something.  

What do you devote yourself to?  

Be careful what has power over you.  

The devil comes dressed up like something we want.  

Our devotion to God must be first. 

Romans 1:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

Do not substitute anything for God.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 “You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, 15 for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth.

Do not be afraid of what others think because of your pride.  

John 12:42-43 New Living Translation (NLT)

42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

Guard against a belief that happiness is the most important thing in your life.  

Hebrews 13:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Our worship is not based on how we feel, but on God's worth.

We must be engaged in worship and not be a spectator.  

James 4:8 A New Living Translation (NLT)

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

Our tradition is not more important than our God. 

Matthew 15:8-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

8 ‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
9 Their worship is a farce,
    for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.

What God really wants.

Psalm 50:8-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
    or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
    or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
    and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
    and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
    for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
    Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
    and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
    and I will rescue you,
    and you will give me glory.”

1. We must thank Him sincerely.  

2 Chronicles 16:9 A New Living Translation (NLT)

9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2. We must offer Him complete control of our life.

Romans 12:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

3. We must include Him in our everyday lives.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 “You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, 15 for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth.

What God wants is a relationship with you.

What do you love the most?

What do you do the most?

What do you think the most?

Mark 12:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/what-god-really-wants