The Biblical Foundations of Worship (Biblical Themes in Worship).pptx

The Biblical Foundations of Worship (Biblical Themes in Worship)

1. Biblical Themes in Worship The Biblical Foundations of Worship

2. It is a strange and curious matter that so little has been presented in most worshiping communities about the biblical foundations of worship. While biblical students have labored over the Hebrew and Greek to interpret the Scriptures in their original language and historical setting, little attention has been paid to the language of worship in the Scriptures. While students of Scripture have examined the development of biblical thought concerning God’s initiative in revelation and redemption, few have been interested in the response of the people in worship. While students have done theology and reflected on the character of God, the sinfulness of the human condition, and the rescuing work of Jesus Christ, little thought has been given to how all this theology is put into motion in the institution of worship. Consequently, students have graduated and become pastors who direct the attention of the congregation to Scripture but have little knowledge about how to lead that congregation in the worship of God. Biblical Themes in Worship Robert Webber

3. Worship is not something tangential to the Christian story but a matter that lies at the very heart of the Christian Scriptures from the beginning to the end.1 The importance of worship is expressed as early as the story of Cain and Abel, who brought offerings to the Lord (Gen. 4:3–5), and as late as the book of Revelation, which not only depicts a heavenly scene of worship (Rev. 4–5) but is filled with songs of praise and images of worship. Between the pages of Genesis and Revelation the Scriptures portray a moving story, which depicts the themes of worship, of how God worked in human history to initiate a saving relationship with the people of the world. Biblical Themes in Worship Dr . Richard Leonard,

4. This story of God initiating a relationship and of the people responding in faith is not only the story of salvation and redemption, but it comprises the very essence of worship. What lies at the heart of worship is God’s continual movement toward the peoples of the world and the continual response of the people of God in faith and obedience. Biblical Themes in Worship

5. The event orientation of worship in the Old Testament is clearly seen in the meeting that took place between God and his people after God had miraculously delivered them from the hands of the pharaoh. The full context of this event, known as the Sinai event or the Exodus event , is described in chapters 19–24 of the book of Exodus. The most pertinent part of this event for worship is the public meeting that took place between God and Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai. THE EVENT ORIENTATION OF BIBLICAL WORSHIP

6. Exodus 24:1–8 This meeting between God and Israel is important because it contains the most basic structural elements for a meeting between God and his people. These elements, the very substance of public worship, are found later in the more detailed descriptions of Judaic and Christian worship. THE EVENT ORIENTATION OF BIBLICAL WORSHIP

7. It was God who called the people out of Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai. God called the people to meet at the foot of the mountain where they became the qehal Yahweh , the “assembly of God.” In this is seen the prerequisite of true worship—a call from God to worship. First, the meeting was convened by God.

8. Although the role of leadership was given to Moses, other parts of the drama were to be played by Aaron, Nadab , Abihu , the seventy elders of Israel , the young Israelite men, and the people. The picture is not that of leaders and an audience but of full participation of those congregated. Each had his or her own part to play. The full orchestration brought every person together in a harmonious whole. This points to participation as a fundamental aspect of worship. Second, the people were arranged in a structure of responsibility.

9. God spoke to the people and made his will known to them, thus showing that worship is not complete without hearing from the Lord. Third, the meeting between God and Israel was characterized by the proclamation of the Word.

10. An essential aspect of worship in both the Judaic and Christian traditions is the continuous renewal of personal commitment. In worship, the community renews their covenant with God. Fourth, the people accepted the conditions of the covenant, thus signifying a subjective commitment to hear and to obey the Word.

11. A sealing of the agreement. In the Old Testament, God always used a blood sacrifice to demonstrate the sealing of a relationship with people. These sacrifices pointed to the definitive sacrifice of Jesus Christ. After his sacrifice , the Lord’s Supper became the sign of the relationship between the church and God . Finally, the meeting was climaxed by a dramatic symbol of ratification

12. While the New Testament does not contain a comparable description of God’s convening a public meeting with the church, it is clear that the New Testament writers see the connection between the Exodus event and the Christ event. Peter summarizes the comparison in these words:

13. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

14. “ who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The Exodus event stood at the center of Israelite worship. As Israel was in bondage to Pharaoh , so all people are in bondage to the power of evil (Eph. 2:2). As God sent Moses to deliver Israel from its bondage, so God sent Jesus to deliver us from our bondage to sin (Matt. 1:21). As God entered into a covenant with Israel, so God enters into covenant with the church ( Heb. 8:8–12 ). As God established a tabernacle for worship with a high priest, so also God has established a new high priest and an entrance into the Holy of Holies through Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:11–14). As the tabernacle was characterized by sacrifices, so also the new covenant with the church is characterized by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:15–18 ). As Israel looked forward to the Promised Land, so the church looks forward to the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21–22). Consequently, Peter confesses with confidence, Absolutely fundamental to Christian worship is the praise of God

15. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10

16. The people of God are to remember God’s deeds of salvation and his promise of the land by being grateful and by committing their lives. And they are to come before him with a particular attitude of homage and reverence in the presence of their King. This aspect of worship is expressed by some of the biblical words for worship.8 The People of God Worship from the Heart

17. The Hebrew word most commonly translated as “worship” is the verb shachah , in what grammarians call the reflexive form. This verb means “to bow down” or “to prostrate oneself.” The People of God Worship from the Heart

18. It denotes the gesture of a subject’s bowing down to a ruler or master. It points to both an inner and an outer homage to God as a token of awe and surrender. When Abraham’s servant found a wife for Isaac, for example, he “bowed down and worshiped the LORD , saying, ‘Praise be to the LORD’” (Gen. 24:26–27). His worship was a heartfelt thanksgiving in response to God’s provision. This is the attitude God desires in response to his acts of salvation. The psalmist declares , “All the earth bows down to you” (Ps. 66:4), using the same verb.

19. proskuneo . Matthew used this verb when he told how the Magi from the east, when they found the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, “bowed down and worshiped him” (Matt. 2:11). John used the same word in recording Jesus’ statement to the Samaritan woman about true spiritual worship (John 4:21–24). The corresponding Greek word is proskuneo

20. Another Hebrew word signifying worship is ‘ Awadh , which literally means “to serve.” When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of their slavery to the Egyptian pharaoh, it was for the purpose of worshiping : “ When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Ex. 3:12). This same word is used in the familiar invitation to “worship the LORD with gladness.” What the psalmist meant in this context is explained by the following phrase, “come before him with joyful songs ” ( Ps.100:2 ). Hebrew word signifying worship is ‘ Awadh ,

21. (Deut. 10:12–13). This idea is captured by the corresponding Greek verb latreuo (cf. Acts 24:14). Paul used the noun form , latreia “service”) when he urged the Roman Christians to offer themselves in “spiritual ... worship” (Rom. 12:1). Such worship demanded the service of God with all of one’s heart and soul. Worship is, therefore, not only an inner heartfelt response of thanksgiving; it also indicates a life totally committed to serving God. The concept of worship as service implies a total lifestyle in allegiance to God