What more can be said that which the Bible itself has said, words that remain eternally true, Solomon stood before the altar and lifted his hands toward heaven and said, But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded? But Solomon also prayed that the Almighty�s eyes should ever be watching, night and day, over the temple of Thine, even towards the place of which Thou hast said, My Name shall be there; that they mayest hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee today. 1 Kings 8: 27 & 29 The place where God gives audience to men: what higher thing can be said of the Temple of Jerusalem. This temple was constructed on this temple mount or Mt. Moriah for a specific reason. This is where Abraham offered up Isaac in sacrifice in obedience to God�s orders. Gen 22: 1 & 2 This same spot is where David made sure he paid for the threshing floor even though Araunah offered it to him. And this is where Jesus took so much offense at the changing of money in the temple area. Mk. 11: 15 & 17 This is where faith was born in our father Abraham, and this is where the seed of faith as far as New Covenant believers are concerned germinated to be planted in Jesus. Jn. 12: 24.

As we know, in the Old Covenant, God set up a set of rules that mankind was to follow to the letter. These rules were so important that God set an impossible task in observing them, break just one, and your guilty of breaking them all, Jms. 2: 10 God knew we couldn't follow them, but I�m sad to say mankind still hasn�t gotten the message yet. We still think we can appease or please our Father in Heaven with external observances. We still build marvelous million dollar temples in an effort to impress God. Places where He no more resides today than we do in paradise. In 6000 years we have come full circle. This is not meant to be so brethren.

This previous form of worship was necessary to train mankind and to make him aware of the sin nature in him. Gal 3: 19 - 29 What serveth the Law, it was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to Whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (20) Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is One. (21) Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Law was necessary to Old Covenant worship. What is tragic today we cannot know God with this type of worship and this is sadly where the church has been brought back to, The Law. We are no different now than the wilderness crowd that had to wander around on a forty year vacation. We have been brought back to this obedience to the ritual worship because of our incessant refusal to live by God�s grace and God�s grace alone. We have complained our way back to this bondage. Please read Neh. 9 & 10 We have decided to make our own way apart from God. We live by a trust in this Babylonian system of buying and selling and we justify it in the Body of Christ by saying God knows we need mammon to operate in this world. This is ludicrous and ridiculous brethren, God hasn�t changed. He�s still Jehovah-jirah (God will provide) He in no way condones or sanctions this worldly system . In fact it�s an enemy to Him, Jms. 4: 4 says, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

I�ve said all of that to get to the subject of this page, Superficial of Sacrificial. This form of superficial, external worship is sadly the only place many in the church seem to think they can know God. Many are in bondage to the degree where they get off into guilt and condemnation if they miss one day that the church doors are open. Many are in bondage to the idea that they have offer up tithes in the temple to be obedient. There is much scripture that refutes this form of worship. Please don�t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with going to church and worshipping God and fellowshipping in Christ, and most of all giving freely, out of a good heart, but if you feel any form of guilt or condemnation from what man says you are to do to be obedient In Christ, you are in bondage to The Law, and therefore under a curse. If a man tells you that you are bound by Mal.3: 10 to offer up tithes and offerings, then you are truly bound to the curse of the Law. If a pastor or anyone else tells you you are supposed to go to a church to be obedient, you're bound.

Many use Heb. 10: 25 as a condemnation tool to tell others that they are ordered by God to attend church. This is bondage. We are to fellowship with one another but this doesn't necessarily mean church. Gal. 3: 10 - 14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Faith and God�s grace has nothing to do with external self righteous acts of worship. If going to the temple to worship, or if any external act puffs you up in any way, you are a hypocrite and not only that but the worst form of hypocrite, a religious one. The one the world will have nothing to do with. If you feel like you must sacrifice your tithes and offerings in the temple, you are no different than the Pharisees that Jesus berated so heavily in the whole of Matt. 23. Physical sacrifices are not required in any way, shape or form. This is the corrupt doctrine of man. Psalms 51: 15 - 17 says, O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. (16) For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. (17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

There are many sacrifices that God will honor. Rms. 12: 1 says, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The Amplified translation says verse 1 in this way, I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Heb. 13: 15 & 16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (16) But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. 12: 28 & 29 (amp) says Let us therefore, receiving a Kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; (29) For our God (is indeed) a consuming fire.

There is a superficial form of worship that God has no use for. Anything external, God doesn�t necessarily honor. It all depends upon the spirit it is offered in. If a baby believer doesn't know God's principles of sacrifice and they beleve they are to attend church, then this is acceptable to God. But if a mature, father in Christ finds out through God's Word that he doesn't have to do anything but love God and his fellow man with all his heart tries to cop out with external forms of piety, his is not accepted. They are filthy rags before God because He knows who is supposed to be an adult in Christ. He will not allow a mature believer continue in grade school. Acts 7: 38 - 50 This is he, (Moses) that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (39) To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, (40) Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. (41) And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. (42) Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to Me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? (43) Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. (44) Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. (45) Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; (46) Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. (47) But Solomon built Him an house. (48) Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands as saith the prophet, (49) Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of My rest? (50) Hath not My hand made all these things? (51) Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. The Amplified version of verse 48 says However, the Most High does not dwell in houses and temples made with hands; as the prophet says; this links with Isa. 66: 1 & 2

These verses in Heb. 9: 1 - 10 the tabernacle in the wilderness is patterned after our body, soul, and conscience. Everything physical is patterned or fathered by the spiritual. Our body is the outer portion, our soul and mind is the second veil that was rent when Jesus entered the Holy of Holies which is our heart or our conscience in order to sit down at the right hand of the Throne of God in this temple of God which we are. Heb. 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God.

This is the only temple that God respects today, this temple which is our body, both corporately as His Church, and individually. 1 Cor. 3: 11 - 17 says For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The Amplified translation of verses 17 says, If anyone does hurt to God�s temple or corrupts it (with false doctrines) or destroys it , God will do hurt to him and bring him to the corruption of death and destroy him. For the temple of God is holy (sacred to Him) and that (temple) you (the believing church and its individual believers) are.

1 Pet. 2: 1 - 10 says Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of The Word, that ye may grow thereby: (3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (4) To Whom coming, as unto a Living Stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (5) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner Stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. (7) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner, (8) And a Stone of Stumbling, and a Rock of Offense, even to them which stumble at The Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous Light: (10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

To those that don't believe that there are people that are predestined to be vessles of destruction, please read verse 8. Also 2 Tim. 2: 20---Rms. 9: 21

All forms of superficial worship is like filthy rags to our Lord. Is. 29: 13 & 14 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this peopl e draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men: (14) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Heb. 10: 5 - 9 Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God. (8) Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin Thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the Law; (9) Then said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.

These prior verses are speaking to us today. Old Covenant Law said external sacrifice had to be offered. New Covenant grace says a more perfect sacrifice has been offered through the Body of Christ annulling the former covenant. Heb. 8: 9 - 10 says Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (10) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people: (11) And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. All shall know Him that live in accordance with New Covenant doctrine.

As these prior verses in Hebrews attest, the most perfect form of sacrificial worship unto the Lord is a total committment to understanding the Gospel of Christ on our own, one on One with The Holy Ghost as our teacher. Not trusting in mans doctrine but only trusting in the doctrine of Truth. In this way we have offered ourselves as a living sacrifice completely acceptable in His Eyes.

I BID YOU HEART PEACE AND ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST JESUS!