A CALL TO WORSHIP, PART II, Leviticus 1:1-17; Hebrew...

! “THE NEW ORDER OF WORSHIP”

A CALL TO WORSHIP, PART II, Leviticus 1:1-17; Hebrew 9:9-10

! Leviticus is the sequel to Exodus. Exodus ended with the erection of the tabernacle and God appearing in a cloud over the tent of meeting. At the center of the tabernacle was the ark and the other furniture.

A CALL TO WORSHIP IIA NEW ORDER OF WORSHIP

!! The laws in Leviticus form part of a historical narrative.

They were recorded to show how Israel became the nation it did.

! They illustrate how God’s covenant purpose was to make them a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus:19:6).



! It is very important for us to understand this system of worship, and what’s involved in it.

!! The book of Leviticus describes the

order of worship and approach to God even though it was just a shadow of what was to come.

! Here we can get the understanding and the value of true worship - the adoration and praise to God, ascribing to him the value and worth that is due him.

! When their gift did not work they would offer their children, and other family members and even themselves to appease their gods.

! Since they created these gods there was never any change expected in their lives.

! The scripture says: “…when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart were darkened (Rom.1:18-25).”

!!Professing themselves to be wise

they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image similar to corruptible man, birds, four-footed beast and creeping things.

! Worship includes a recognition of one’s own dependence on God and is inspired by his greatness as well as God’s goodness as extended to oneself and to others.

! Theologians typically claim that God does not require worship from humans.

! What they do not understand is that worship deepens our relationship and connection to God and leads us to fulfillment.

! In other words, worship is necessary for our fulfillment in life because it keeps our focus on God.


! Israel’s offerings reminded them to keep their focus on God. This was done every year as a reminder.

!The book of Hebrew says: “This is an illustration pointing to the present times. For the gifts and sacrifice that the priest offer are not able to cleanse the conscience of the people who brought them.”

! The Old System deals only with food and drink and various cleaning ceremonies and physical regulations that were in effect until a better system could be established (the new order or new covenant).

! The Old System under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the excellent things to come, not the pleasurable things themselves.

! That sacrifice under that system were repeated time and time again and year after year. But the people were never able to provide perfect worship (Hebrews 10:1-3).

! If they could have provided perfect cleansing the sacrifice would have stopped, for the worshippers would have been purified once and for all, and they're feeling of guilt would have disappeared.

! But instead, the sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins every year.

! Until Christ came in to this world to establish “A NEW ORDER” under the Old System, the blood of goats, and bull and ashes of a young cow could not cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity.

! But “Oh how much more the blood of Christ” will purify our conscience from sinful deeds so that we can be worshippers of the living God.

! For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.


! That’s why he is mediator of the “NEW COVENANT” between God and his people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance that is promised to them.

! “He saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our own works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which were given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2Tim.1:9).”


! Christ died to set us free from the penalty of sin that had been committed under the first covenant.

! This gave us the freedom to worship God without being bound by our consciences. However, only a free people can worship God. Moses reminded the people when they left Egypt that the place of their slavery was there and that is why they couldn't worship God.


!! However, today God brought us out by the power

of his mighty hand and have set us free from bondage!

! It is time to celebrate because we are truly free to worship him (Exodus:13:3)!


! Today when we accept Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins, the veil of sin that covered us from his presence is removed. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is there is no more offering for sin (Hebrews 10:17-18).

! Every one of us that have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord who is the Spirit makes us more and more like him, as we are changed in to his glorious image.


! Understand that he left us a manual which is a book of directions and instructions so that we could learn how to live a Christian life. All of us that come to God have to be re-educated to understand this new order. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…(Matt. 11:28).


! God said my people are destroy for the lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). To reject knowledge is to reject God. If we understand what we have, we can we enjoy the benefits. If you want to get the best out of life you have to study the manual.

! One of the reasons that Israel fail was because they did not obey the laws and sacrifices that was given to them to be free from sins.


! God gave them the atonement which was their redemption for any wrong doing.

! They did not know how badly they were affected in Egypt when they worshipped other gods. They watched how others approach their gods with gifts and sacrifices.


! Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves;* Who changed the truth into a lie and worshiped and serve the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever Amen.


! Can you see the parallel between the Old and the New Testament? Today we create our own gods and the way that we want to worship them. We bring them gifts, to appease them. If we feel like they are not answering us we sacrifice our children when we stop living for God and start living for ourselves. To appease our own gods, we sacrifice our family and our marriages. We go back into bondage and lose our freedom as a worshipper.


! People who choose not to worship are always having problems with depression, disappointment and identity crises.

! They are never satisfied with where they are in life. Israel was always complaining because they did not worship God for who he was. God declared that all of the curses would come upon them because “…thou serve not the Lord thy God with joyfulness of heart and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things (Deut. 28:47O.


! The scripture gives us a command to be transformed by the renewing of our “mind” that we may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. In this new order of worship we learn that true worship develops a servant heart.


! The proper motivation for freedom is to be able to worship God. When we realize he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

! He took our place and set us free so that we could be true worshippers.


! There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death. The Spirit should bear witness with our spirit that we are now the children of God.


! Beloved, now we are we the Sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be but when he appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. And if we have this hope we should purify ourselves even as he is pure.


! Understand who we are: heirs and joint heirs with Christ. A chosen generation a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that we should show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We are called to worship him daily, I will blessed the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth… Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (HEB.13:15).


! “THE NEW ORDER OF WORSHIP”

A CALL TO WORSHIP, PART II, Leviticus 1:1-17; Hebrew 9:9-10

A CALL TO WORSHIP, PART II, Leviticus 1:1-17; Hebrew...

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