Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 11 Article 4

Are there ways that our worship may have good intentions but is improper in the eyes of God?

The sermon explores the theological distinction between God's eternal decree of justification and its temporal application, emphasizing that while all the elect were predetermined for salvation from eternity, justification is not realized until the Holy Spirit applies Christ's work to the individual, marking the moment when divine wrath is lifted and faith is made effective. Drawing from 2 Samuel 6, it illustrates the necessity of reverent, obedient worship, using the tragic incident of Uzzah's death for touching the Ark as a warning against approaching God with good intentions but disobedient actions, underscoring that true worship requires adherence to divine commands, not human innovation. The narrative contrasts David's initial flawed attempt with his later success, showing that proper reverence—marked by fear, obedience, and sacrifice—leads to divine blessing and joy, even as the people remain imperfect. The sermon applies this to contemporary worship, calling believers to examine their hearts and practices, not for perfection, but for sincerity, reverence, and alignment with God's revealed will, recognizing that worship is both a foretaste of eternal glory and a response to Christ's atoning work. Ultimately, it affirms that God's mercy and patience allow imperfect worshipers to draw near, not by their own merit, but through the blood of Jesus, which justifies and sanctifies their worship.