07.10. The Origin of Worship; Men Called Upon Jehovah

The Origin of Worship; Men Called Upon Jehovah Genesis 4:1-6 ; Genesis 4:25-26

Built within all of us is a God sized and God shaped void that can only be filled by God. Men search and try to find the truth but it is not available apart from the self-revelation of Jehovah. In our next sermon I plan to address the origin of false religions but today simply allow me to say that man has come up with many things and beings to worship. In our text today we are privileged to see the beginning of worship after the fall. Realize that before the fall worship was natural and imitate. After the fall there was an impediment to worship called sin. At the fall God was dethroned and man was enthroned on the throne of men.

I- The Human Family Grows

    The announcement was made in the section of "who’s new in pink and blue" in the local newspaper, the Eden Exile. After all it was the largest newspaper of the day and went into all the homes with a circulation of only one, after all there was only one couple. There were children born to Adam and Eve. Cain the firstborn and then later the son Abel. Those who knew not the state of perfection had arrived upon the earth.

II- The First Act of Worship:

After the fall we have here the first recorded act of worship of God. If is recorded that Cain and Abel brought an "offering" to God. We do not know if this was on an altar or where it took place. The word offering is in Hebrew "minchah (min-khaw’). Concerning this The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says, "The (minha), as the ancients knew it, served to express gratitude, to effect reconciliation with the Lord, and to accompany worship. This account pictures the first act of worship recorded in human history. In each case the worshiper brought something of his own as an oblation to the Lord." (from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press) Still another comments "Some think the anniversary of the creation to be here intended; it is more probable that it means the Sabbath, on which Adam and his family undoubtedly offered oblations to God, as the divine worship was certainly instituted, and no doubt the Sabbath properly observed in that family. This worship was, in its original institution very simple. It appears to have consisted of two parts:

1. Thanksgiving to God as the author and dispenser of all the bounties of nature, and oblations indicative of that gratitude.

2. Piacular sacrifices to his justice and holiness, implying a conviction of their own sinfulness, confession of transgression, and faith in the promised Deliverer…." (from Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft) III- Rejection of Cain:

Many have asked why God rejected Cain’s offering and accepted Abel’s. Some say it was because one was a blood sacrifice and one was a work of his hands. However there is not reason given us here in the Genesis account as to why or even how God showed His rejection. "The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews gives us the inspired explanation of the difference between the offerings: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain ... God bearing witness in respect of his gifts" (Hebrews 11:4 ). This explanation centers upon the difference in spirit manifested by the two men. Because Abel was a man of faith, he came in the right spirit and presented worship that pleased God. We have reason to believe that Abel had some realization of his need for substitutionary atonement. To all appearances both offerings expressed gratitude, thanksgiving, and devotion to God. But the man who lacked genuine faith in his heart could not please God even though the material gift was spotless. God did not look upon Cain because He had already looked at him and seen what was in his heart. Abel came to God in the right attitude of heart for worship and in the only way sinful men can approach a holy God. Cain did not." (from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press) Years later the prophet Isaiah would cry out, "Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness." Isaiah 59:1-3 Then the psalmist cried out concerning access to worship God in Psalms 24:3-4 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."

IV- Calling on Jehovah:

After the first murder of Abel by his brother Cain we find that God gives another son to Adam and Eve. Then in the next generation, the third human generation, a man named Enos was born. Notice Genesis 4:25-26 "And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD." Men would get progressive evil but we see that God had a remnant to worship him. He has always had a remnant of true believers. Remember He remind Elijah after Mount Carmel. Paul says in Romans 11:4-5 "But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

V- Old Testament Worship:

    Old Testament Worship of God consist of three basis things. Offerings, Sacrifices, Songs. We find this throughout the Old Testament. Daily the priest would offer sacrifices for sins. The people continually brought offering into the tabernacle and temple as acts of worship and thanksgiving to God. There were also hymns and songs sang in worship.

VI- So What About Today:

Our acts of worship: What do we give today? Are there sacrifices we need to make? Notice the following verses that give us acts of worship. Might I say these are not restricted to Sunday Morning 11:00 AM only. Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Ephesians 5:19-20 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

    Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

    Our Reason for Worship. There are so many reasons we should worship God. Just do a study of the names of God and we will be moved to worship Him.