WORSHIP THE PLACE, THE TIME, THE MEANS

"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” -- Genesis 4:3-5

I have shown you repeatedly from the Scriptures that the single most important aspect of every believer’s life is public worship. It appears that Adam taught his sons and daughters this from the beginning. Though Cain did not believe God, both Cain and Abel came to the place of worship. Three things need to be learned from these two men.

The Place

There is a prescribed place of worship. Both Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the Lord, to that place where God was worshipped at the east of Eden. The prescribed place of worship in this gospel age is “the church of the living God” (1 Tim. 3:15; Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 3:16-17). The local assembly of God’s saints is the house of God, the temple of God, the dwelling place of the Almighty. Wherever men and women gather in the name of Christ to worship God, when they come together as the church, the Spirit of God dwells in their midst. This is the most blessed place in the world (Psa. 122:1-9; 133:1-3). And the neglect of public worship is the first step toward apostasy. We are therefore admonished not to forsake the assembly of the saints (Heb. 10:23-26).

The Time

There is also a prescribed time for worship. Cain and Abel came to the place of worship “at the end of days” (Gen. 4:3 margin). Though, as yet there was no sabbath appointed, they came to the altar of God at the close of the week. No, we are not and should not be sabbatarians. We are not under the law. Still, there is a day appointed for the worship of God. Sunday is “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10), the day of Christ’s resurrection (Matt. 28:1), the day of public worship (Acts 20:7). Let us rejoice and worship God in that day which is specifically called “the Lord’s day” (Psa. 118:21-24).

The Means

There is a prescribed means of worship, too. Cain came to God with a bloodless sacrifice, the fruit of his own effort. And God rejected him. Abel came to God with the blood of an innocent lamb, a type of Christ, the Lamb of God, and God accepted him. Blessed be God, it is yet possible for fallen, sinful man to approach God and find acceptance with him! But the only ground upon which anyone can come to God and find grace in his sight is by the blood of Christ. We are sinners. His blood is propitiation. We are guilty. His blood is pardon. We are defiled. His blood is cleansing. We are naked. His blood is righteousness. If you would be accepted of God, your only means of access to him is the precious blood of Christ.

AMEN.

Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For Today Radio Message #821

2734 Old Stanford Road - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net