I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalms50:8-15 NLT)

I have always heard it said, “God doesn’t need anything from us.” But today I will shock you by telling you that is a false statement.

Even thought God owns everything, in His infinite wisdom, He has given away His ability to control, channel and use to His advantage many things. These we’ll discover shortly.

God is God and will have what He wants when He wants it. However, God will never demand our love, obedience, and affection. These must willingly be given to Him in view of His mercy and loving kindness.

1. The first thing God wants from us is our worship. “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God.” Worship is all about giving God what He doesn’t have. It is our thanksgiving, our adoration and our worship that God really wants.

2. The second thing God wants from us is our obedience. “keep the vows you made to the Most High.” Obedience is all about giving God what He doesn’t have. It is our devotion, our faithfulness and our obedience that God really wants.

3. The third thing God really wants from us is our affection.” Call on me when you are in trouble,” Affection is all about giving God what He doesn’t have.” It is our heart, our trust and our affection that God really wants.

This is the essence of worship. God is not crazy about the style of music we use in worship. He is not concerned about whether it’s old school or new school. Worship is more than just clapping or ‘lifting holy hands’ – it is deeper.

God wants worshipers who would worship in Spirit and Truth.

God wants obedience – because it is better than sacrifice.

God wants our affection – because He is a jealous God..