Message: Redeemed to Worship
Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas.
What the Lord is Saying:
While this is the 9th topic explored in these studies commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, with the first 8 so far focused on doctrinal reform, John Calvin actually listed the reform of Christian worship first in his explanation of the why the Reformation was necessary.
Previously, I looked at one of the chapters of the Westminster Confession of Faith as I looked at the doctrine of the church and here today am reminded of the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism which says:
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]
A catechism is a doctrinal manual. It is a summary of doctrines and used to teach children and adult converts. The shorter Westminster Confession of Faith catechism was written in 1646 and 1647 by the Westminster Assembly, a group of 121 theologians that was put together to restructure the church of England more in line with the Church of Scotland and help put to rest some of the doctrines that were attempting to divide the church. It is in a question and answer format which Martin Luther had used to help children learn. Previously, the practice of memorizing the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles Creed had been the means to learn Christian doctrine prior to the Reformation. One must remember that the printing press and the practice of getting the Bible into individuals hands didn't begin until the 1600s so memorization and listening to lectures early on the Christian faith was the main means of learning Christian doctrine. The scriptures above were added in 1978 by the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
So in teaching about Christian doctrine, the first question offered had to do with the chief end of man and that is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Thus, we were made to worship the Lord. And so when we practice worship in our life we are fulfilling our purpose for living.
In Romans 1, my favorite passage of scripture, verse 19-23 speaks to the idea that God is evident in each person for God made this to be and though God is clearly seen through His creation, many people do not give thanks to Him and they exchange the glory or worship of God for something else. It is a reminder that worship is a part of every person. If a person rejects God, they do not cease to worship, instead they worship something else.
The 7th day of creation and the Sabbath day are a day to set aside work and set aside the day as Holy. Genesis 2:3 says, "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it..." The Sabbath day is a day to recall what God has done and remembering what God has done is a part of worship. In Exodus 3:18, the passage highlighted today, the Lord told Moses to go to Pharaoh and command the king to free the Israelites so that they could sacrifice to God or worship Him.
I am reminded of the Song - We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise written in 1980 in which the first 2 lines echo Jeremiah 33:11
The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, "Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting"; and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the Lord.
Summary: We are people that are meant to glorify God, to worship the Lord.
Promise: Worship is not incidental -- it is the reason for our existence. In praising the God who made you, you are fulfilling your purpose for existence.
Prayer: As always God, I am marveled by your Word and thankful for the reminder that Life is about giving glory to You. This is why you made me. You have provided so much for me and I am to remember this and thank you for this continually. Thank you for the Westminster Confession and rising up these leaders to express truths that carry on today and speak to the truths of your Word. What a great joy there is in uncovering and rediscovering these truths. Thank you now for this new study I embark on regarding Worship and give me an open mind and heart to what you want to teach me. Help me God to have worship a part of my life. I thank You for the joy in music and the people you have gifted to share music with me that often helps me worship You and remember what You have done for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment