It is interesting how man has made worship more about “man” and “man’s likes” than he has about God and God’s demands. There is a mentality, which is often voiced, regarding worship that, “We’re doing this for God, to give the praise to Him. He will accept it.” Unfortunately, such sentiments are actually proven completely contrary to what God will accept.
Many examples of worship in the Bible could be cited to show that God, in fact, does not accept just any effort of man to worship Him, including Cain (Gen. 4:3-5), Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3), King Saul (1 Sam. 13:1-14), many Jews (Matt. 15:8-9), etc. But consider closely the sincerity of the persons who will say to Jesus at the judgment, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” (Matt. 7:22). It is not enough to think that the Lord will accept what I do for Him (including in worship)! We must truly do “the will of [the] Father in heaven” (7:21)! Does your worship follow the demands of God in the New Testament?