The Generosity of God-Given Worship [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 12:1–31]

What is true worship? Deuteronomy 12:1–31 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that only God chooses what is true worship. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary from the audio's transcript. This passage establishes that worship must be conducted exclusively according to God’s sovereign choice, not according to the church's preference or the practices of the surrounding culture. It emphasizes that true worship involves the destruction of pagan altars and idols, and the exclusive offering of only what God has provided, and only in the way that God has commanded and in the place God designates, where His name dwells. The people are called to rejoice before God in gratitude for His generous provision. This reflects the broader theological truth that God alone determines how humanity may approach Him, culminating in the ultimate provision of Jesus Christ, the true dwelling place of God’s Name. Therefore, worship must always be offered in the way God has commanded, not according to human desire or cultural imitation, but in joyful obedience to His revealed will. When this is followed, the worship comes through Christ.