Probably the most preparation I have ever made for one worship service was when Jan and I started a church in Northern Michigan in a small town called “Charlevoix.”
I was fresh out of seminary, 25 years old and excited about launching the new church. Yet, if you ever have been part of a church plant, you will know, church planting is a lot of work.
As we rolled into town we started from scratch, square one, from the ground up.
a) First, we had to find a building for us to worship in. It was a humble start, the only building in
town that we could find was a small grease garage that was used “Site Planning” company for
the mechanical arm of their business. For months we cleaned, painted, filled an oil change
trough with sand and capped it with concrete. We transformed a garage into a “house of God”
that was used for years to come.
b) Second, we had to build relationships. Meet people. Invite them to come to our first worship
service that took place 4 month’s later. We actually called every house in town and found
180 families that were at least willing to learn more about the new church that was starting.
c) Third, there were physical things that had to be done. Chairs, Bibles, teaching materials, music
had to be prepared and everything that you can imagine on an extremely small shoe string
budget.
d) Prayer was a priority. Hours were spent in prayer and spiritual preparation asking God for His
divine favor, blessing, and provision in birthing a brand-new church for His Kingdom
purposes.
Finally, the Sunday arrived four months from our arrival. We were excited, prayerful, (and if I am honest) a little nervous about the day we had prepared for so long.
On that Sunday, our first service had 12 people. The next Sunday 6 people. The following Sunday 2 people. Not exactly a mega church most might hope for in the church planting/missionary work. Yet, over a ten-year period that followed, we saw many people come to Jesus and the church grow into a thriving church that built passionate followers of Jesus.
Yet, while the church did not start with a large crowd, one thing I will never forget is what happened when we began worshipping there.
It’s hard to describe and explain, but when we started worshipping that morning, something supernatural happened. You could sense it in the air. The best way I know how to describe it is to say that “the presence of God” inhabited that little grease garage and it became God’s house; a genuine place where we met with God and He showed up. It became a place where we genuinely approach God together.
Transition:
What I sensed that day was something that I think happens every time we worship God; yet because we have become accustomed to it; sometimes we fail to recognize it.
This has caused me to ask many times: “How should I approach God in worship? How should I prepare? What should I come expecting?”
The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 10: 19-25 opens the curtain and helps us see how God sees worship. He shows us that worship is more than we think.
Today, let’s look beyond the room and lift our eyes to see worship from God’s vantage point.
Where do we start?
Transitional Sentence: In this passage we are reminded that worship is more than we think because:
I. Worship Is A Privilege
Vs. 19- “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus.”
Explanation:
Worshipping God is a privilege. This week I had a funeral for a gentleman in our church and his Son said something to me that has stuck with me all week. He said: “For my Dad, worship was not a hobby.”
Listen: From this passage, we learn something about approaching God. It is both; a privilege because coming near to God is costly.
Verse 19 explains: “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus.
If you study one of the first worship events in the Old Testament, you will meet the two sons of Adam and Eve: Cain and Abel.
When they go to worship as recorded in Genesis 4, we see their offerings. The Bible says: “Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground.” Genesis 4:3
Yet, the following verse (vs. 4) came from the Abel. It reads: “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions, and the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering He had no regard.” Genesis 4: 4-5
Something was wrong with what Cain brought. Can brought some veggies. He brought maybe some cabbage, okra, a nice bunch of lettuce to construct a good salad. God didn’t accept it.
Yet, Abel brought something different. He brought a lamb from his flock. It was a blood offering.
You see: God had already told Adam and Eve, “To come into my presence, you must deal with sin and the only way to deal with sin was through sacrifice.”
Abel brought a sacrifice; Can brought a salad. Abel came to deal with sin; and Cain showed up for a simple service. The result: God regarded the sacrifice but shunned the salad. Do you know why? You can only approach God through the blood.”
In Hebrews 10:19-20 we read: “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new a living way...”
The language here is very detailed in the Greek language. It explains:
a) We enter into God’s presence on a path- The word “way” is the Greek word “hodos”
which means “a path.” In other words, today, God wants you to know that if you’ve got into
His presence; there’s a pathway.
b) We enter into God’s presence through a provision- The word “new” is the Greek word
“prosphatos” which means: “freshly slaughtered.”
For years, during the Jewish Passover Jerusalem was filled with thousands of people coming to worship. They wanted to come into God’s presence. Knowing it took a sacrifice; not a salad they brought their lambs.
According to the Jewish historian Josephus, from 3 p.m. to 5 pm 256,500 lambs were sacrificed causing them to have to begin sacrifices earlier in the day. Yet, despite all their efforts, it had to be repeated year by year.
Yet, the day came when the Lamb of God came. The true Passover lamb. The true Savior and sacrifice and today, this morning, as we worship, you might not be see the connection between what you are doing right now and what Jesus did 2000 years ago; but God’s Word declares; without the blood of Jesus--- you can’t approach God. You can’t really worship. You can’t enter His presence. God may be here but the door is closed without the blood of Jesus unlocking the door for you and me.
Today, the cross of Jesus is the key to our worship. Aren’t you grateful Jesus died for you and me? It is a precious and powerful blood.
Illustration: Accident near Smackover, Arkansas
When I was living in Arkansas as a college student, I was driving up one day and came on horrific accident that I will never forget. Unfortunately, the accident was a fatality and while I was in the stopped traffic, the Father of the young man that died arrived on scene.
Because I arrived so quickly on scene I saw the man run to the vehicle where his son was and saw more than I care to explain.
Yet, what I will tell you is that my heart ached as I saw the Father help load his son’s body in the ambulance and then saw something I will never forget. The Father who had a white shirt on took his shirt off and began to rub his shirt on the pavement near his son’s vehicle.
Wondering what the man was doing I sat and watched this man weep as he rubbed his white dress shirt on the pavement. While a few first responders tried to comfort him, he was resolved to continue what he was doing.
Soon, I asked the paramedic nearby, “What is he doing?” The paramedic said: “He’s wiping his sons blood off the pavement. He refuses to allow anyone to drive over his sons blood. He is saying, “It’s too precious.”
Application:
I know that’s a heavy story, but I’ve thought about that event a million times. Then, when I came to this part of the passage and understood what it is saying; that same image has repeatedly entered my mind.
Listen: Today, as we have come into worship, we have come by the way of the blood and we dare not take it lightly. Our worship and entrance into the presence of the Father is possible because we have come by the way of the blood.
Literally, one the day of atonement when the High Priest would go into the presence of God, he would sprinkle blood along the way. His feet would be bloodstained because the only way into the presence of God was by the way of the blood.
Today, in our worship, we have come to this throne of grace, on the newly slaughtered blood- stained way of the Lamb of God; Jesus Christ.
When we understand this; it changes our worship. It turns worship from an obligation to a privilege; it turns up the praise, because it is a costly thing. Worship is a costly thing. It cost Jesus His life so we would be graced with this gift called worship.
It is a privilege to worship. No wonder verse 24-25 says: “...and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good needs, not forsaking our assembling together, but encouraging one another, all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Worship is a privilege and should be a priority; one that should be enjoyed in private worship as well as public worship. It’s a costly blessing Jesus paid a huge price for us to enjoy.
Transitional Sentence: In this passage we are reminded of that worship is more than we think because:
II. Worship Has Prerequisites
Vs, 21-22- “Since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Explanation:
As we read verse 21-22 we are issued an invitation. The verse says: “Since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near...”
It is almost as if the author is saying, “Come with me into the presence of God but before we do let me remind you how we should approach God.”
How does he say we should approach God?
1. We should approach Him in faith- vs. 22- ...with a heart full of assurance of faith- In other
words, we should approach God without reservation.
According to verse 2, the ability for us to come into the presence of God is not based on our
goodness in any way. The veil or flesh of Jesus was torn on Calvary so that it might become
our robe of righteousness that makes us fit for the throne of God.
God wants us to approach with full assurance, knowing that the cross was enough to make us
for His presence. He wants us to boldly claim our rights that were purchased by His Son.
God cannot be approached with an attitude of reservation as was the case in the Old Testament; we are to go boldly before His throne knowing that in Christ, we have full access to God.
2. We should approach celebrating His forgiveness- vs. 22- “...having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscious- In other words, we don’t approach God with a guilty conscious, instead our minds are renewed. We come close because we have been made clean. We comes celebrative and courageous, not afraid and nervous. We come as children of the King!
3. We should approach with fervent living- vs.22- “..... and our bodies washed with pure water.” The washing here is not physical baptism; instead, it is what baptism represents. We come washed, clean, and whole in Jesus living a life that reflects what Christ has done. Baptism symbolizes going into the blood of Jesus, and coming up raised with newness of life; a reflection of that gives testimony of the reality of Christ’s cleansing power to wash away our sins, and present us as a new creation.
Illustration: Wash away my fat cats sins
Often I hear “church stories” as a Pastor and recently heard about a little boy who went home from church one day after seeing a man baptized in the service.
Concerned about his three cats, he decided that each of them needed to be baptized. He started with his smallest kitten who seemed to do well with the baptism. Then the second cat endured it as well even though it seemed a bit mortified.
Yet, the larger Tom cat was not so willing. He struggled with the cat and it rebelled. It fought and scratched until finally all the boy got on the cat was a few drops of water before it tore away from his arms and took off like lightning.
In response, the little boy said: “Oh well, I guess that’s o.k. He will just have to be a Methodist.”
Application:
No matter what you call yourself, if you have accepted Jesus, what baptism represents. It is an outward symbol that Jesus wanted for us to remind us of what He accomplished for us.
I John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse (wash away) our unrighteousness.”
I John 1:7 says: “But if we walk in the light as He is the light, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (washes away) all of our sin.”
No wonder in Acts 22:16 Paul said: “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”
Approaching God is an active event. A public testimony. A reminder of the reality that we have a connection with God. It is a bold move of faith and a testimony of the power and pleasure that has come from the cross.
Transitional Sentence: In this passage we are reminded that worship is more than we think because:
III. Worship Involves People
Vs. 23-25- “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful; And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Explanation:
In the final two verses God reminds us of why He sacrificed so much to provide an open door for us to approach Him. There are four reasons:
1. So God would be glorified- In verse 23 we read: “He who promised is faithful.” Our worship
leads us to remember how faithful God is in our life and to give Him the praise He
deserves for His faithfulness. Who are you looking to for the source of your hope in
life? What do you put your hope in? I don’t know about you but I’m putting my hope
and confidence in the God who is always there. He is faithful.
As we worship together we are told the benefit. It reads: “Let us hold fast the confession of
our hope...”(vs. 23) As we sing, as we celebrate Jesus, we are making a confession of our
hope aren’t we? Listen: It says: “Let us...” Together we remind each other of our hope.
2. So I will be purified- In verse 24 we read: “And let us consider how to stimulate one another
to love and good works.” The word “stimulate” (paroeusmos) which means: “to get stirred
up.” It is an emotional word. It is used actually two times in the New Testament in a negative
way to describe the argument between Paul and Barnabas. But here, it is positive. It means
our worship should ignite something inside us to live fully devoted and passionate lives for ‘
Jesus.
Illustration: Let’s get fired up
When I was in High School the cheerleaders had a cheer that went like this: “Let’s get fired up.”
Do you know what they were doing? In Greek it’s called paroeusmos-- this word, “Getting stirred up and fired up.”
How many of you know our worship ought to be more like a pep rally than a funeral? Amen?
Here it is in the Bible. We ought to feed off one another and as the Holy Spirit moves among us we are “stirred up” to love and good deeds. We leave out of here ready to take hell on with a squirt gun! We are the church and the gates of hell will not prevail against us.
3. So the church will be edified- In verse 25 we read: “And not forsaking our own assembly
together.” The word “forsaking” is the Greek word “enkateipontes” which means to “abandon, forsake, and neglect.”
This verse tells is that in the last days there will be many who will take up bad habits. Instead of coming and fellowshipping with the church, they will get in the habit of staying home. Instead of making it a habit of fellowshipping in the koinonia of God’s family they fail to come home to their eternal family.
Listen: If someone is missing, it’s a big deal to God. No different than if one of your family members fails to come home tonight. That’s what was happening in the book of Hebrews; people were “falling away” and failing to come attend their church home.
4. So unbelievers are evangelized- In verse 25 we read: “as we see the day approaching.”
The fact is, this world has a final chapter. A day is approaching and is getting closer and closer every day.
How is Jesus coming back? We don’t know when He is coming but we certainly know how he is coming:
Jesus is coming PERSONALLY – Rev. 22:20.
Jesus is coming LITERALLY – Acts 1:9-11.
Jesus is coming VISIBLY – Rev. 1:7.
Jesus is coming SUDDENLY – Matthew 24:17.
Jesus is coming DRAMATICALLY – Matthew 24:29.
Jesus is coming GLORIOUSLY – Matthew 24:10.
Jesus is coming TRIUMPHANTLY – Rev. 19:19-21.
Jesus is coming CERTAINLY – John 14:1-2.
Through Christ’s blood we have a common bond, and that common bond pours into a common mission, and as worshippers together, we form a church, and the church has been given the power of Christ to influence, attract, and introduce the world to Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
So where do we start with Jesus? Right here, right now, right in His presence. He is here today inviting and compelling us to come into His presence and embrace Jesus.
