Biblical Corporate Worship - part 2

9 October 2011

Shalom dear readers,

This week we will examine the Brazen Altar and the Brazen Laver.

     

In the outer court of the tabernacle, stood two furnishings: the bronze altar and the bronze laver and this is where the priests served the people by assisting them in their sacrificial offerings. This speaks of action and service.  How often do we get so caught up in our ministries and service to God that we forget the most important thing - communion and fellowship with Him?  The priests had to go into the inner court to “minister to the Lord” just as we need to move from activity to being still before the Lord.  Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

In our worship, we can also get so caught up in praise that we never move on into worship.  There is a growing tendency today to cater to the likes and dislikes of the people rather than on what pleases God. Today the question is “What will draw the people in?”  What ever happened to the Holy Spirit drawing the people?  John 6:44 No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him:…..

Notice that when David introduced music and musical instruments into the worship, he never inquired of the people as to what their favorite songs and styles of music were.

In order to begin moving into the Holy place and the Holy of Holies we need to follow a process.  Once having moved into the outer court through the gate, we approach the bronze altar of sacrifice.

THE BRAZEN ALTAR  (SACRIFICE)

The difference between Old Testament and New Testament Worship is that we no longer sacrifice animals as Jesus Christ was our once and for all sacrifice.

The brazen altar points to Jesus our sacrificial Lamb.

John 1:29 Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Just as Jesus came to do the will of the Father and laid down his life as a sacrifice so that we could have eternal life, so we are to die to our own desires and submit to the will of God.  We were created to do the will of God.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.

In terms of worship we are exhorted to bring a sacrifice of praise.  Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. The psalmist declares in Psalm 116:17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

Our praise is not governed by our emotions and feelings or by our circumstances and situations therefore we praise him simply because he is God and worthy of our praise and adoration.

Next we approach the brazen laver.

THE BRAZEN LAVER   (REFLECTION)

T
he brazen laver was made from the copper mirrors of the women.  The purpose of a mirror is to reflect back 
an image.

We too during our time of worship need to take time for reflection and confession.

The ministry of the Laver points us to the Word of God which gives us a true and clear image of ourselves as we are, as God sees us. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to convict us of sin.

Psalm 139:23 – 24

23 Search me, O God and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

We need to remember that worship is not just about singing but also about reading and studying the Word of God.

It is in the outer court stage of our worship that we need to deal with our sin and the issues that are in our lives. The focus in our worship at this stage is on Jesus who takes away our sin. We can’t continue in worship with unconfessed sin in our lives.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The next level of worship is the Holy Place, which we will look at next week.

As we continue our spiritual journey, may we be encouraged to spend more time in His Word and more time developing an intimate relationship with Him.

Blessings,

Charmaine

Clim Jews for Jesus