A Gathered People 6
Greetings one and all! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have read another fascinating chapter in A Gathered People and will talk about it here.
Chapter 6 in this book is Gathered to God: Divine Presence in the Assembly. In this chapter the authors eloquently discuss the assembly in the New Testament and about it's historic backgrounds in the Old Testament as well. The book of Leviticus talks about sacrifices that are to be made by the priests through out the year and the worship that is due to God during those sacrifices. The New Testament book of Hebrews draws on those themes in the "context of assembly (Heb. 10:19-25)". The authors also talk about the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth and what that meant then and now. In John's Gospel chapter 4 Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman. She asks Him where worship should take place, in (literally "en") this mountain (like the Samaritans do)or in ("en") Jerusalem (like the Jews do). But Jesus seems to say that it doesn't matter in what physical place one may be, but in their spiritual state. Are we worshiping in the Spirit and the truth.
An important thing to remember in worship, is that isn't not just Theocentric- directed toward God. It is also Christocentric - directed toward Jesus the Messiah. In his gospel account Matthew draws this out perfectly in stating Jesus is the Messiah. The writer of Hebrews does as well in showing that Jesus is higher than all of the Old Testament heroes.
As we enter the Holy of Holies, we enter a sacramental encounter. In Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy we see that only the priests can enter the Holy of Holies and offer sacrifices. Hebrews draws on this theme and also states that we don't need priests to worship God. We can do it ourselves. And we don't have to give sacrifices like they did any more. We just need to live our lives for God with all we have.
Just as we are gathered in the Spirit, so we must be mediated by the Spirit. We do this when we worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4). We are to pray in the Spirit, wait on the Spirit, and so forth. In Ephesians 5 we are told to "be filled with Spirit" and that way we can "speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks to God in the name of Jesus submitting to each other in the fear of Christ". We are to "be filled with the Spirit" and not with things that can do bodily harm to us.
And the assembly helps us focus on the end of time and dawn of eternity where we will be in eternal assembly at the throne of God. What an awesome thought!
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Thank you for reading my thoughts on this chapter in A Gathered People. This a very thought provoking study. It is really making me think and turning me to the Bible. I highly recommend this book! Next time I'll blog about Blue Like Jazz. I am also reminded of other blog series I've started but haven't continued in some time (opps!), so we'll get back on those in the coming days. So please stay tuned in for that.
Thank you all and God bless!
Zack
Chapter 6 in this book is Gathered to God: Divine Presence in the Assembly. In this chapter the authors eloquently discuss the assembly in the New Testament and about it's historic backgrounds in the Old Testament as well. The book of Leviticus talks about sacrifices that are to be made by the priests through out the year and the worship that is due to God during those sacrifices. The New Testament book of Hebrews draws on those themes in the "context of assembly (Heb. 10:19-25)". The authors also talk about the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth and what that meant then and now. In John's Gospel chapter 4 Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman. She asks Him where worship should take place, in (literally "en") this mountain (like the Samaritans do)or in ("en") Jerusalem (like the Jews do). But Jesus seems to say that it doesn't matter in what physical place one may be, but in their spiritual state. Are we worshiping in the Spirit and the truth.
An important thing to remember in worship, is that isn't not just Theocentric- directed toward God. It is also Christocentric - directed toward Jesus the Messiah. In his gospel account Matthew draws this out perfectly in stating Jesus is the Messiah. The writer of Hebrews does as well in showing that Jesus is higher than all of the Old Testament heroes.
As we enter the Holy of Holies, we enter a sacramental encounter. In Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy we see that only the priests can enter the Holy of Holies and offer sacrifices. Hebrews draws on this theme and also states that we don't need priests to worship God. We can do it ourselves. And we don't have to give sacrifices like they did any more. We just need to live our lives for God with all we have.
Just as we are gathered in the Spirit, so we must be mediated by the Spirit. We do this when we worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4). We are to pray in the Spirit, wait on the Spirit, and so forth. In Ephesians 5 we are told to "be filled with Spirit" and that way we can "speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks to God in the name of Jesus submitting to each other in the fear of Christ". We are to "be filled with the Spirit" and not with things that can do bodily harm to us.
And the assembly helps us focus on the end of time and dawn of eternity where we will be in eternal assembly at the throne of God. What an awesome thought!
--------------------------------
Thank you for reading my thoughts on this chapter in A Gathered People. This a very thought provoking study. It is really making me think and turning me to the Bible. I highly recommend this book! Next time I'll blog about Blue Like Jazz. I am also reminded of other blog series I've started but haven't continued in some time (opps!), so we'll get back on those in the coming days. So please stay tuned in for that.
Thank you all and God bless!
Zack
posted by Zack | 10:03 AM
1 Comments:
You are obviously a great follower of Christ & His teachings. May your reward be great for your faithfulness to Him! Thank you for your comments on our "Totally Dependent" blog. Your comments & blessings are much appreciated. May God bless you as you continue on the journey of life.
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