The importance of Worship

Leviticus 9 is the account of what happened when the priesthood paid close attention to matter of worship— God appeared.

Do we expect to meet with God and to have God meet with us? The high point of worship is to experience something of the presence of God among his people. Is this our expectation when we gather?

Worship matters. And because worship matters, it matters how we worship, and therefore we need to pay attention to matters of worship. This, in a nutshell, is the theme of Leviticus. The principles that we find here are still relevant for the new covenant church.

1. The expectation of worship

The purpose of this worship was “… that the glory of the Lord may appear to you [the people]” (v. 6), and the outcome was just that: “the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people” (v. 23). God’s presence is what set the Jews apart. Today it is what sets Christians apart.

There is a need to give up the old dead programs & rituals and submit ourselves to the Spirit to receive instructions. Strange fire is any fire other than that which is kindled by His Spirit.

2. The pre-requisites of worship

Even though the church at Laodicea, claimed to be a church, they did not have the presence of God, for Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Laodicea was a gathering of religious people, and they did not have God’s presence in their midst.

God commands Aaron to perform three different sacrificial offerings. The sin offering to atone for sin. The burnt offering to honor God and the peace offering to emphasize the peaceful relationship between God and man, and also man and man.

When we come before God in worship, we must first confess any sin in our lives and come with a clear conscience, willing to honor God with a total submission and if there is any broken relationship, to leave the gift at the altar and be reconciled first before coming to worship.

3. The seriousness of worship.

The whole congregation gathered before the tent of meeting to prepare themselves. There would have been a serious tension formed over the crowd. This thing that was extremely serious, and extremely sacred. In chapter 10 we notice the case of Nadab and Abihu who did not take God’s instructions seriously and faced the consequences.

Do not try to enter the presence without having offered the sin offering. Make certain you have surrendered your life to Christ. Romans 12:1 says, "I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your spiritual service."

Application Questions:

How do you prepare for worship? Serious or casual? How can you prepare your heart to worship God this week? Are you confessed up and repented up?

Quote:

"As worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. Holy obedience saves worship from becoming an opiate, an escape from the pressing needs of modern life."- Richard Foster

Prayer:

Lord help me to realize the seriousness and the preparation required for worship, so that I may experience your presence every time I worship You. Amen.