Title: Spiritual Worship (Romans 12:1-2)
Content Worship and sacrifice are synonymous. In the Old Testament times, it was called sacrifice, and after the New Testament times, it was called worship. In the Old Testament, when the people of Israel went to worship God, imperfect and sinful humans first offered sacrifices on the altar to make atonement for their sins before the absolute, Jehovah. It was to atone for the sins of the worshipers. The sacrifice was a flying animal or sheep, goat, or bull. In this way, offering a living being is the idea that a living being of blood should be replaced by a living being of blood because humans are living beings. Without the shedding of blood, sin could not be atoned for. In other words, since blood is life and the price of sin is death, it has the meaning of receiving the punishment of death for sin.
Therefore, those who came out to worship God every day had to sacrifice even a dove and offer a blood sacrifice for redemption, and once a year the high priest would kill a bull to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. This was to atone for the sins of the people of Israel.
A one-time sin offering was needed to atone for the sins of all mankind. The Old Testament speaks of the need for a sin offering for mankind, and prophesied the model of that sin offering. The sin offering of that prophecy was fulfilled by the shedding of the blood of Jesus on the cross. Because Jesus became the sin offering at once and made atonement through the shedding of blood, there is no longer a need for a blood sacrifice. Therefore, the word worship was changed to worship rather than sacrifice.
1. What is a living sacrifice
Its origins are as follows. When Abraham was 100 years old, he had a son, Isaac, as promised by God. But God told Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a sacrifice to God in order to test Abraham. Although this was a great command from God, Abraham obeyed and took Isaac and went to Mount Moriah, which God had instructed.
So, when he was about to kill his son Isaac by building an altar, God called Abraham and forbade him to touch his son Isaac. And it was possible to bring a goat that God had prepared from the thorns and offer it as a sacrifice instead of Isaac. So, although the son Isaac was accepted by God, he received it as a living sacrifice. The event that took place here resulted in the term “living sacrifice.” These are the words of the truth and sincerity of those who worship God. The mountain on which Abraham offered Isaac to God is the present Jerusalem, and the temple is now built on the stone on which the altar was built.
Worship should be offered in obedience and faith to God, which Abraham had, rather than in any form. Because God is a Spirit, he receives worship in spirit and heart.
2. Divine Worship
When Jesus Christ shed his blood to atone for the sins of mankind on the cross, the veil of the Holy Bible in Jerusalem, the main sanctuary of the priesthood, was torn from top to bottom. The most holy place is where the high priest enters once a year with the blood of a bull to atone for the sins of the people and worships God.
It was a place. However, as the Old Testament prophesied, Jesus Christ atoned for mankind's sins on the cross at one time, so we no longer have to enter the Holy of Holies with blood. So the veil of the Most Holy, which was unnecessary, was torn.
Also, this has a deeper meaning. The wall of sin that has stood between God and man until now is broken down through the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross, so that anyone can come directly to God.
Now, because of sin, it is no longer necessary for the priest to carry blood in my place. I was able to worship God directly. And he received forgiveness of sins and received eternal life.
Therefore, we say that we worship God. Worship is a moving thing. Gratitude attitude. It is also a time of joy. We must offer human beings supreme piety and devotion to the invisible God. In the old days, sacrifice was a fear, but today's worship is emotion and thanksgiving. This is because of the merits of the cross of Christ.
3. Elements of Worship
Worship is a time of giving to God, so we must be reverent. Clapping hands is superstitious. Worship should include hymns and praises as an expression of emotion and thanksgiving. So, when you sing a hymn, you have to think about the lyrics. Songs should be united in one piece. That's why I compose and harmonize beautifully.
Next is prayer. When we meet God, we express our gratitude and our determination. And it is an act that we want God to be glorified. There are believers who mistakenly think that prayer is a self-centered supplication. We shouldn't have that attitude.
And there is another offering. This is a must-have ritual for worship services. I don't mean to pay money. It is an act of promising my gratitude and admiration for God and my devotion to glorify God. In a narrow sense, I pay tithe of the income I get from my physical labor, but in a broader sense, it is also a time of determination to dedicate my entire life to the glory of God.
The above five are elements of worship.
There are many and many ceremonies in the world. They are all ceremonies among visible people. However, worship is worshiping the invisible, spiritual and almighty God the Father. Therefore, you must give it reverently. You must give it solemnly. You have to create a good atmosphere.
is. And we have to give our truth and sincerity. We must worship the living God right away, such as attire, things, and the surrounding environment, and have the right attitude to worship. Let's make it a worship that can please God, that is, a living sacrifice, a spiritual worship by putting all our devotions together in one place.