The Mind of God (Romans 11:16-36)
In our job, sometimes we justify doing what we wanna do when the boss isn’t around. It can be easy for us to do what we wanna do when God‘s not around or when we don’t feel his presence. Have you ever caught yourself saying, "God wouldn't mind if we…”? Perhaps you have looked around at other congregations and thought that changing up our worship would create a spark of excitement and help everyone to come alive emotionally. There are many congregations that use music to really get the crowd amped up. We don’t do that. Why not?
Today, we are looking at a story about two men who made a mistake. They thought God wouldn’t mind, but they were wrong. We all make assumptions about God's will—based on Scripture's commands, examples, and implications. But when does a reasonable assumption cross into presumption? That's overconfidence, taking liberties that dishonor God's boundaries.
Today, our central takeaway: Draw near to God with reverence, not presumption—honoring His holiness in worship starts with a humble heart. We'll see this through the shocking story of priests who got too casual about worship. Then, we'll apply it to our lives under the cross. Let's turn to Leviticus 10.
The Fire That Fell
Picture the scene. The Israelites, about 2 million strong, have been set free from Egypt so they could come to Mount Sinai to worship their God before He brings them into the promised land.
A Feast At The Mountain (Exo 19-24)
When they gathered at the foot of the mountain, Moses was told by God to bring the people out close to hear God speak to them His law. But He warned Moses that they must be washed and sanctified. Further, God said multiple times not to let anyone or any animal come near to the mountain to touch it. Because, if they did, they would die (Exo 19:21-25).
These warnings were joined with a terrifying reality. From that mountain, God brought His glory down and spoke to them with lightning and thunder continuously flashing and rumbling. The people were so terrified at God’s voice that they called for Moses to listen to God and speak on their behalf. Then, something amazing happens. Moses goes up on the mountain with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and elders of the people and they have a covenant feast with God where it says they saw God (24:9-10).
Can you imagine receiving an opportunity like this? Can you imagine getting to see God? Nadab and Abihu were the sons of Aaron, whom God will make the first high priest. They were to serve as priests, and one of them would become high priest after he died. One of them would have become high priest if they had not died first.
Glory In The Tabernacle
About a year later, God had told them to build a Tabernacle, a portable holy place, most holy place, and a courtyard where worship would be conducted for all Israel. In Leviticus, we learn about all of the sacrifices that the priests were to conduct for the people. At this time, the priesthood consisted of Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu. These three men were responsible for following all of the rules that Moses had been given by God.
In Leviticus 8, Moses took them to consecrate them and prepare them to offer worship. He gathered all the people and told them that everything he was about to do would prepare these three priests to offer up worship on behalf of the people. He put special clothes on them and had them put their hands on the head of a bull and two rams to ordain them for the service of priesthood.
This meant that they would serve as mediators between the people and God. They would draw near to God on behalf of the people and offer up sacrifices to God on their behalf. After the sacrifices have been offered they had to wait there for seven days in order to complete their ordination. On the eighth day, Moses called the people together again so that Aaron and his sons could be accepted with a burnt offering to the Lord. They were offering sacrifices first on their own behalf. A sin offering, a burnt offering, a grain offering, and a peace offering were given in worship to the Lord. They did everything exactly as God had commanded them.
God told them the purpose of this sacrifice in verse 6, “This is the thing that the Lord commanded you to do, that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.” How amazing and magnificent! When they had completed everything they were supposed to do, fire came out from heaven and consumed the burnt offering! The people all shout and fall on their faces in reverence.
But, in the excitement of the moment, Nadab and Abihu took their censers (metal sticks that hold flammable materials) and they created a form of worship that God did not command. The fire they offered to God was called, “Unauthorized” or “Strange” fire. So God sent fire from heaven to kill them.
Failing To Sanctify
What do you think about when you hear that God sent fire to consume His priests for offering the wrong kind of incense at the wrong time? Does that sound hasty or harsh to you?
Listen to Moses’ response in verse 3.
Leviticus 10:3 (ESV) — 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace.
The point of this story is to help the people see that God expects people who draw near to Him to set Him apart as different from man-made gods of the nations. This is not a god who will tolerate being treated as common. He expects those who draw near to Him to honor Him and respect what He has commanded them to do.
The failure of Nadab and Abihu was presumption. They presumed that God would enjoy the same insense that other gods enjoy, incense that they concocted. Think about that. In their minds, they have worshipped gods like Yahweh. They just want to give Him what they have given to other gods, gods men have created. The problem is that this is not one of those gods. They would have been better off sticking to the commands of Moses.
Would God be okay with that today? Does He want us to treat Him like a god we create for ourselves and worship Him how we desire or in a way that resembles what we see in the world?
The Consistent Theme of Presumption
Throughout the Old Testament, we can find this sin of presumption repeatedly. Korah’s rebellion, the sons of Eli, Saul becoming impatient, and refusing to wait for Samuel to offer a sacrifice. Later King Uzziah entered the holy place and was made leperous. Who could forget the sins of King Jeroboam and all of the northern kings of Israel set up worship to golden calves and drew the people to worship away from Jerusalem. God was never pleased when men worship in a presumptive way, ignoring what he had outlined for them to set up their own worship.
On the other hand, those who seek to restore the principles of worship are always praised as having tremendous faith. David, Hezekiah, and Josiah stand out in this regard. You see, it’s not enough to be fired up for worshipping God. They are fired up for worshipping God in accordance with what His word reveals.
The word worship means to adore or pay divine honor as to deity. We do this in every aspect of our lives, but especially when we gather together as God’s people on the first day of the week.
Application
So how do we apply this in a world without a physical tabernacle or corresponding priesthood? The New Testament isn’t about fearing every little thing we do might be displeasing to God. It’s about honoring God and avoiding the presumptive attitude which shows a corrupted heart.
In Spirit and Truth
The first text to consider is John 4, where Jesus said, “The true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth.” These words of Jesus tell us that God wants everyone to worship him. He’s not focused on establishing the Samaritan worship practices or the Jewish worship practices. He focused on the spirit of the individual being engaged in worship with a true heart and desire to honor God’s will. This idea is at the core of all New Testament teachings on worship.
In Mark, Jesus condemns the religious leaders of his day for honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from God (Mark 7:1-13). The New Testament reveals less about the order of our worship service and more about the condition of our hearts. When we read through the New Testament, there is a pattern we can follow, but God doesn’t focus on the pattern as much as he focuses on the heart. We don’t have a Leviticus to follow. Instead, we have a constant reminder of the importance of worshipping God with our hearts.
In Acts 5, we see Ananias and Safira offering up a lot of money to God in worship, but they lied about it. God wasn’t interested in their worship. They, like Nadab and Abihu died.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that I could give all I have to the poor, I could offer myself up to be burned, but if I don’t have love, my worship is meaningless and profits me nothing.
Drawing Near With Faith
So, why are we here this morning? Are we here to worship, or to go through the motions? Think about it. How easy is it to become complacent or treat what we are doing as a common thing?
Hebrews 10:19–25 (ESV) — 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
When we worship, we have access to the true holy place through the blood of Jesus! We get to draw near, not because we look the part, but because of what’s inside of us. Do we have true hearts, a full assurance of faith, clean hearts, consciences, and bodies. Are we drawn near with a strong confidence in God’s promises and an eagerness and devotion to build up the church.
We have the opportunity to draw near so let’s not make this a place of entertainment and self-service. Don’t be distracted by the cares of this world. We aren’t here just to enjoy one another’s company. We don’t need the bands or the baptismal slides. (You can bet that they didn’t use those in the first century.) This is all about God, not us. We do what we do here to honor him, not to make ourselves feel good. What we do here matters. Don’t treat it as common. Don’t be presumptive about how we worship. Remember, “Among those who are near me, I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.”