True Worship: Reverence Over Routine and Performance

Summary

This morning, we gathered as a people who are often tempted to find security in the routines of religion, the comfort of familiar songs, and the busyness of church life. Yet, Ecclesiastes 5 calls us to a sobering reality: it is possible to be deeply involved in spiritual activity and yet be far from God. The passage warns us that even our worship, prayers, and religious commitments can become empty—mere vanity—if they are not rooted in reverence, humility, and true surrender to the Lord.

We are reminded that God is not impressed by our outward performance or the volume of our words. He is not flattered by sacrifices or songs that come from distracted or divided hearts. Instead, He calls us to approach Him with awe, to guard our steps as we enter His presence, and to listen before we speak. True worship is not about what we get out of it, but about honoring God for who He is. It is not about our preferences or comfort, but about coming before a holy God with a heart that is ready to obey.

Our words matter deeply to God. Rash prayers, mindless singing, and religious clichés can be offensive if they are not matched by a heart of submission. The power of prayer is not in eloquence or emotion, but in the God who hears. We are cautioned against making promises to God that we do not intend to keep. Empty commitments are not neutral—they are offensive to a God who takes our words seriously. Silence, when it is honest, is better than insincerity.

Ultimately, the call is not to try harder or do more, but to stop pretending. God does not need our performance; He desires our reverence, our obedience, and our hearts. The fear of the Lord is not a terror that drives us away, but a holy awe that draws us near. Only worship rooted in the fear of God and redeemed by the grace of Christ has lasting value. Everything else is vapor—here today and gone tomorrow. Let us surrender all, not out of obligation, but in response to the wonder of the gospel and the mercy of our Savior.

Key Takeaways

- True worship begins with a reverent approach to God, not with routine or performance. We are called to guard our steps and come before the Lord with humility, recognizing His holiness and our need for grace. The most dangerous kind of sin is the one we commit unknowingly, thinking our religious activity is enough while our hearts remain distant. [47:05]

- Our words in worship—whether in prayer, song, or conversation—must reflect the weight of who God is. Rash, thoughtless, or self-centered speech reveals a lack of awe and can turn worship into empty noise. God is not interested in religious language or impressive prayers, but in honest, surrendered hearts that seek His will above all. [01:01:35]

- Making promises to God without the intention or willingness to follow through is not only unwise, but offensive. God takes our commitments seriously, and empty vows are better left unspoken. Real grace produces real surrender; our obedience should flow from gratitude for what Christ has done, not from a desire to earn His favor. [01:11:01]

- The fear of the Lord is the foundation of meaningful worship. This fear is not a paralyzing dread, but a holy awe that draws us into deeper relationship and obedience. When worship is rooted in reverence, it transforms our routines into genuine encounters with God, and our words and actions become pleasing offerings rather than vanity. [01:15:41]

- Religion without reverence is empty, and worship without obedience is hollow. God is not calling us to try harder or polish our image, but to draw near with listening ears, humbled hearts, and surrendered wills. Only when our worship is rooted in the fear of God and the grace of Christ does it have lasting value; everything else is fleeting. [01:18:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:51] - Missions Update and Announcements
[18:23] - Responding to National and Global Unrest
[20:30] - Prayer for Peace and the World
[22:22] - Praying for the Gospel to Advance
[29:11] - Introduction of Mission Partner: CCA
[43:41] - Ecclesiastes Recap: The Vanity of Life
[44:45] - The Danger of Hollow Worship
[45:54] - Three Warnings About Worship
[47:05] - Guarding Our Steps: The Right Approach
[49:37] - Reverence vs. Casualness in Worship
[52:37] - Listening Over Performing
[55:20] - Activity vs. Intimacy with God
[58:10] - The Weight of Our Words in Worship
[01:01:35] - Honest Prayer and Surrendered Hearts
[01:06:17] - The Dangers of Religious Language
[01:11:01] - The Seriousness of Our Commitments
[01:15:41] - The Fear of God: Foundation of Worship
[01:18:49] - Religion Without Reverence is Vanity
[01:24:45] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
[01:26:26] - Benediction and Sending

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Ecclesiastes 5 – Worship That’s More Than Words

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### Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (ESV)
> Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Ecclesiastes 5:1, what does it mean to “guard your steps” when you go to the house of God? What is the contrast between listening and offering the “sacrifice of fools”?
2. In verses 2-3, what warning does Solomon give about our words and prayers before God?
3. What does the passage say about making vows or promises to God? What is the consequence of making a vow and not keeping it?
4. The sermon mentioned that “the most dangerous kind of sin is the one we commit unknowingly, thinking our religious activity is enough while our hearts remain distant.” What examples did the pastor give of this kind of empty worship? [[47:05]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Solomon says it’s better to listen than to speak when we come before God? How does this challenge the way we usually approach worship? [[52:37]]
2. The sermon said, “God is not flattered by songs sung from hearts that are far from him.” What does this reveal about what God values in worship? [[51:35]]
3. Why is making promises to God without following through considered offensive, not just unwise? How does this relate to the seriousness with which God takes our words? [[01:11:01]]
4. The pastor said, “The fear of the Lord is not a terror that drives us away, but a holy awe that draws us near.” How does this kind of fear change the way we worship and obey? [[01:15:41]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to examine whether our worship is just routine or truly rooted in reverence. When you come to church, do you find yourself going through the motions? What would it look like for you to “guard your steps” and approach God with humility this week? [[47:05]]
2. Think about the words you use in prayer, singing, or even in conversation about God. Are there times when your words are more about performance or habit than honest surrender? What is one way you can make your prayers or worship more genuine this week? [[01:01:35]]
3. Have you ever made a promise or commitment to God in an emotional moment that you didn’t keep? How did that affect your relationship with God? What steps can you take to be more intentional and honest in your commitments? [[01:11:01]]
4. The pastor said, “Silence, when it is honest, is better than insincerity.” Are there areas in your spiritual life where you need to be quiet and listen, rather than speak or act? How can you practice this in your daily walk with God? [[01:11:01]]
5. The sermon warned against “religious language used to mask rebellion.” Are there phrases or attitudes you use to justify disobedience or avoid real change? How can you confront these in your own life? [[01:08:50]]
6. The message said, “God does not need our performance; He desires our reverence, our obedience, and our hearts.” What is one area of your life where you need to move from performance to real surrender? [[01:16:26]]
7. The fear of the Lord is described as a holy awe that draws us near. What is one practical way you can cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God this week—in your home, work, or personal worship? [[01:15:41]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to reveal any areas of empty worship or routine in your life, and to help you approach Him with a humble, listening heart. Pray for the courage to make honest commitments and the grace to worship in spirit and in truth.

Devotional

Day 1: Approach God with Reverence, Not Routine
To truly worship God, we must come before Him with a heart that is humble, prepared, and aware of His holiness—not simply out of habit or routine. The call to "guard your steps" is a reminder that worship is not about performance or checking a box, but about recognizing the sacredness of entering God's presence. Just as Moses was told to remove his sandals on holy ground, we are to approach God with awe, not casualness. Our culture often encourages us to make worship about our preferences and comfort, but God desires our reverence and surrender. Ask yourself if you are coming to listen and submit, or just to participate in another activity. [47:05]

Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (ESV)
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart."

Reflection: When you prepare for worship, what intentional steps can you take this week to approach God with a heart of reverence rather than just going through the motions?


Day 2: Let Your Words in Worship Be Few and Meaningful
God is not impressed by religious words, long prayers, or spiritual-sounding language if our hearts are not truly surrendered to Him. Solomon warns us not to be rash with our mouths or hasty with our words before God, reminding us that He is in heaven and we are on earth. True worship is not about how eloquent or powerful our words sound, but about the sincerity and humility behind them. Whether we are singing, praying, or encouraging others, our words should reflect the weight of who God is and our dependence on Him. Let your words be few, honest, and filled with reverence, trusting in God's power rather than your own performance. [58:10]

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (ESV)
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few."

Reflection: Before you pray or sing today, pause and consider—are your words coming from a place of true surrender and awe, or are they just routine? How can you make your worship more intentional?


Day 3: Worship Requires Obedience, Not Just Activity
It is possible to be busy with religious activity—singing, serving, giving—yet still be far from God if our hearts are not aligned with His will. God desires obedience over sacrifice; He is not pleased with outward acts that are not rooted in genuine submission. The essence of worship is not in what we do, but in how much we surrender to God’s voice and obey His Word. Don’t mistake activity for intimacy or attendance for reverence. Instead, let your worship be marked by a willingness to listen, obey, and respond to God’s leading. [55:20]

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"

Reflection: Is there an area where you are active in church or spiritual things, but resisting God’s call to obedience? What step of obedience is God asking you to take today?


Day 4: Take Your Commitments to God Seriously
God takes our promises and commitments to Him very seriously, and He is not pleased with empty vows or performative religion. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not keep it. Many of us have made promises to God in moments of desperation or emotion, only to walk away unchanged. God is not a vending machine or a consultant; He is the holy God who desires our obedience and genuine surrender. Real grace produces real surrender, and our commitments should flow from a heart transformed by the gospel, not from a desire to impress or negotiate with God. [01:11:01]

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (ESV)
"When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."

Reflection: Think of a promise or commitment you have made to God—have you followed through? What would it look like to honor that commitment today?


Day 5: True Worship Begins with the Fear of the Lord
At the heart of all true worship is the fear of the Lord—a reverent awe that draws us near, not away. All our religious activity, words, and commitments are empty unless they are rooted in a deep respect for who God is and what He has done for us in Christ. The fear of the Lord is not about terror, but about recognizing God’s holiness and responding with repentance, surrender, and faith. God invites us into a relationship where our hearts are full, our words are few, and our obedience is real. Let your worship be defined by awe, not appearance, and by surrender, not performance. [01:16:26]

Psalm 111:10 (ESV)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!"

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God in your daily life, so that your worship is rooted in the fear of the Lord?

Quotes

We often care more about how worship is.feels to us, rather than if that worship is actually pleasing to God. I mean, we choose our churches like we choose our coffee shops, if we're honest. Do I like the music? Is the preacher engaging? Is he funny? Is he relevant? Did he talk about Israel today? Do they have enough programs for my kids? Do I feel comfortable here? Are people friendly? We want worship, but we want it on our terms, to our liking. That's preference, comfort. That's not the goal of worship. Holiness is. [00:50:03] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

Worship, it's not about how much we do. It's about how much we surrender. Right? That the true essence of worship, it's not performance, but surrender, which doesn't mean worship is joyless. That's far from it. Reverence is not fear that drives us away. Reverence, it's fear that draws us in carefully and gratefully and worshipfully. [00:53:31] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

You can sing I surrender all and yet surrender nothing. You can sing I exalt thee and all at the same time, you're just exalting yourself. It's possible. I mean, we should tremble at the idea that we might just be singing songs of worship to a God we're not actually obeying because if you're not walking in submission to God's word, you're not worshiping, you're just performing for God and for everyone else around you. [01:01:04] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Worship that doesn't tremble isn't worship. Commitments that aren't backed by obedience, they're empty noise. So what's the takeaway? This isn't a call to do more or try harder. It's a call to stop pretending, to stop using worship as a way to polish your image. Stop making promises to God that you never intend to keep. Instead, start with fear, right? Start with awe. Start with repentance and surrender. [01:16:01] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

He invites you not into a religion of appearances, but into a life altering relationship where your words are few, your hearts are full, your obedience is real. It's in fear of the Lord. That's not fear that drives you away. It's fear that draws you in to worship him rightly. [01:16:34] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't be a fool. Don't offer the sacrifice of fools. Solomon's warning us, religion without reverence is vanity. Worship without obedience is empty. But God in his mercy, he's not calling you to try harder. He's calling you to come closer, to draw near with listening ears, near with a humbled heart, near with a surrendered will. [01:18:49] (23 seconds) Edit Clip