Ingredients of True Worship 11-16-14 John 4:20-24; Exodus 30:34-38 Introduction – The Israelites often burned incense, but this holy incense could be burned only in the tabernacle. Here God gave the recipe for this special incense. This incense was burned to show honor and reverence to God. This incense was so holy that the people were strictly forbidden to copy it for personal use. The visual aids, described in Exodus 30:34-38, gives us a wonderful insight into the area of worship: I. Spontaneous. 1. Stacte – Stacte, a gum resin that oozes spontaneously from the bark of the storax tree. As we spend time before God in prayer and meditation, our hearts will ooze with gratitude and worship. II. Come from the heart. 1. Onycha – Onycha, a substance obtained from “closing flaps” of a certain deep-sea mollusk. True worship must engage the heart (Isaiah 29:13 amp. Matthew 15:8-9). III. Worship is open. 1. Galbanum - Galbanum was obtained from a certain plant by cutting that plant open so that the resin could run out and be collected. An open and unveiled face speaks of a wholehearted unhindered and honest communion (2 Corinthian 3:18 amp.). IV. Worship proceeds from brokenness. 1. Frankincense - Frankincense is another resin taken from a tree. This ground sparkling powder produced from an aromatic gum. V. The Personal Aspect of Worship 1. The instructions given here speak to the personal nature of our worship. There are two ways we must approach Him. a. Holy – The incense is to be “pure and holy” (Exodus 30:35 b. Humbly – “beat it very small”. This speaks of humility (Exodus 30:36)! There must be no pride or pretense in our hearts. VI. The Perpetual Aspect of Worship 1. The incense before the Ark was a symbol that their worship was to be continual. 2. As we worship may we experience God in a whole new way. .