## Things God Will Not Accept

## Genesis 4:1-5

(Genesis 4:1-5) And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 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.

(Leviticus 10:1-2) And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

(Isaiah 1:11) To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

(Jeremiah 6:20) To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

(Amos 5:21-23) I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

I read these verses because there is a mistaken idea that is held by many that says that God will accept anything that is offered to Him. It seems that some have the concept of God that is like a "Good Will" store. "Good Will" generally takes anything that is given them. It may be junk, it may be of no value whatsoever, but they will take it. Example of family who had a yard sale. They brought me their leftovers! "We couldn't sell it so we decided to give it to the church." I'm here to tell you this morning that God isn't a 'Good Will' drop station! That same philosophy carries over in other areas as well. Ask some folks if they will be in the services and you get a run down something like this: If I feel good, and if I get up in time, if there isn't anywhere else to go, and if I can find just the right outfit to wear, then you can count on me cause I'll be there! Such commitment to God overwhelms me! People approach giving to the Lord in much the same manner. If there is anything left over after paying the bills and buying the groceries and making the payments on the boat and of course we must put some aside for our retirement, but if there is a dollar or two left you can count on me doing my part!

This may come as a shock to some, but God is not interested in our leftovers! God has a set of standards for us to follow (The Bible) and it is the same standard for all of us. God will only accept what He has specified in His Word.

This morning I want to draw your attention to three things that God will not accept:

I. God Will Not Accept Sincerity in Place of Salvation.

A. There is no salvation in any other than Jesus Christ.

1. That may seem to some to very narrow minded.

2. Tell it to Jesus, He's the one who said it first!

John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

B. That means that every other plan or other' religious exercise, no matter how sincere, is unacceptable!

1. It leads somewhere, but not to God!

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14:12

2. You can be sincere, and be sincerely wrong!

C. Peter and John declared in Acts 4:12:

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

1. Could it be any clearer?

2. And yet many have the mindset that God will accept anything as long as it comes from the heart and is sincere!

3. Jeremiah has a news flash for us today he said you couldn't trust your heart!

"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Je. 17:9

4. God will not accept any substitutes for salvation ... He redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ and that is the only thing that will cleanse our sinful hearts and save our souls.

II. God Will Not Accept the Works of the Flesh in Place of Worship in the Spirit.

A. Consider two statements:

1. Paul wrote, "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Ro.8:8

2. Jesus said, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." in. 4:24

B. Much of what is done in the name of worship today is the works of the flesh.

1. Jesus made it very clear that just because something is done in His name it doesn't make it acceptable.

(Matthew 7:22-23) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

2. In the flesh means not being led by the Spirit of God.

C. True Worship is in spirit and in truth.

1. There is nothing wrong with the acts of worship as long as they reflect the true attitude of the heart.

2. In Isaiah 1:10-18 the people were going through the motions of worship, but it wasn't coming from a pure spirit and a true attitude.

((Isaiah 1:11) To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

III. God Will Not Accept Lukewarmness in Place of Hearts on Fire for God.

A. Note: Re. 3:14-16

1. Jesus Christ was addressing a local New Testament church here.

2. God literally tells us here that He will not tolerate that kind of an attitude in His church.

3. "I will spue thee out of my mouth." speaks of God's judgment and His utter rejection of that kind of service!

B. He wants us to be either hot or cold, but not lukewarm.

1. Sometimes I grow impatient behind cars on the highway ... my frustrations come out as comments

2. Drive it or park it! Get it on or get it off! But not anything in between!

3. When God looks at the lives of His children, He says either make it hot or cold.

4. If we are hot, then we are serving God with a fervor that is pleasing unto Him.

5. If we are cold, then God can reach us with the Holy Spirit and set us on fire for Him.

6. BUT if we are lukewarm, we think we are fine and in need of nothing. v17

C. God will not accept lukewarm Christian service.

1. He calls on us to repent!

2. Change our thinking about what is acceptable service to God.

3. It is pointless to go through the motions of serving God when there is no power!

4. Paul told Timothy that the day would come when men would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.

5. That time is now!

6. What must we do? Turn it around! Repent!

This morning, I want you to know that God will not accept just anything that we may offer Him. God has made it quite clear in His Word what He expects when it comes to the matters of salvation, worship, and service. Where are we at this morning? Are you saved? Are you worshiping God? Are you on fire for Him?