A Return To True Worship Series

Topic: A RETURN TO TRUE WORSHIP:

Objective: “Understanding the meaning, function, purpose and responsibility of being a New Testament priest”

KEY SCRIPTURE; 1 PETER 2;1-10

The Ark of God's presence will return to our midst when we return to true worship. This is not worship by ritual or creed, but it is the type that occurred in the tabernacle of David and when the Ark was brought up to Jerusalem. It is a worship of singing, playing on instruments, shouting, dancing...a worship of great joy, gladness, excitement, and enthusiasm.

David's tabernacle will be restored when worship, as in the Ark in David's time, becomes the center of attention rather than our programs, rituals, and traditions.

We are all priests unto God and, as such, we need to fully realize the tremendous ministry we have as a praising priest. In these great days of Holy Spirit renewal the Lord is making real to us the meaning, function, purpose and responsibility of being a New Testament priest that offers up "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)

I. God Gave the Plan of the Priesthood to Moses

• The place where the plan of the priesthood was given was upon Mt. Sinai

".. and there Israel camped before the mount . . . and Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called to him out of the mountain . . ." (Exd 19:1-3)

• The conditions; if ye will obey my voice."..and keep my covenant." Vs 5

• The promise :". . . then ye shall be a peculiar (rare) treasure unto me . . . and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation . . ." (Exd 19:5, 6)

II. The Priesthood Was Meant for All the Children of Israel

• ". . .these are the words which thou shalt speak to the children of Israel . . . " (Exodus 19:6)

• "And all the people answered together and said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do . . ." (Exodus 19:8)

III. The Children of Israel Broke the Covenant of the Priesthood

• The children of Israel disobeyed God's voice by making a graven image. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me . . . thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image . (Exodus 20:3, 4)

• The children of Israel broke God's covenant by worshipping the golden calf. ".

IV. The Priesthood Became Limited to the Tribe of Levi, Because of the Golden Calf Idolatry

Moses asked, "Who is on the Lord's side?" and the sons of Levi responded. (Exd 32:26)

• "Levi" means "joined"

• the Levites demonstrated their loyalty to the Lord by joining themselves to Moses

V. The Promises of the Priesthood is Now Fulfilled in the Church, the New Covenant Priesthood of Believers

• 1 Pet 2:5:"Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an Holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices’

• 1 Pet 2:9: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood . . ."

• Rev 1:5, 6: ". . . and hath made us kings and priests unto God . . ."

• Rev 5:9, 10: "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests . . ."

VI. The Function of the Priesthood Was to Offer Sacrifices; its Purpose Was to Minister Unto the Lord by Means of Those Sacrifices

A. Under the Old Covenant, physical sacrifices were offered (animals, birds, meal, etc. ) Exd 28:3:

B. Under the New Covenant spiritual sacrifices were offered (praise and worship).

• 1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar (rare) people that should SHOW FORTH (demonstrate) the PRAISES of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.."

• Hebrews 13:15; "By (through) him therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

THE HISTORY OF WORSHIP

PRE-CREATION WORSHIP:

See the record in Job 38:4-7.

PRE-FALL WORSHIP:

Adam and Eve worshiped God before they sinned. As soon as they ceased worshiping God they fell into sin. (Genesis 3:1-13)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;Ish 14;12-16