How can we ensure our worship aligns with biblical principles like Josiah's Passover? \The Scene in Josiah’s Day\ 2 Chronicles 35:1: “Then Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.” Key details: • A set time: fourteenth day, first month (Exodus 12:6) • A set place: Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5–6) • A set purpose: to honor the LORD, not human preference \Set Our Hearts on God’s Word\ • Scripture reveals God’s pattern; we do not invent our own. • Deuteronomy 17:18–20—kings were to copy the Law so they would “carefully observe all the words.” • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Action: build every element of worship on what is written. \Return to the Pattern God Has Given\ • Josiah consulted the Law (2 Chronicles 34:14–19). • Exodus 12:14—Passover “a permanent ordinance.” • 1 Corinthians 11:23—Paul “received from the Lord” the pattern for Communion. Action: compare our services, songs, and sacraments with biblical directives. \Prioritize Purity and Repentance\ • 2 Chronicles 34:33—Josiah removed idols before restoring worship. • Hebrews 12:28–29—“Let us offer to God acceptable worship … for our God is a consuming fire.” • Romans 12:1—“present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Action: confess sin, remove spiritual clutter, approach God with clean hearts. \Gather God’s People in Unity\ • 2 Chronicles 35:17—“the Israelites who were present celebrated.” • Psalm 133:1—“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony.” • Hebrews 10:24–25—do not neglect meeting together. Action: prioritize assembling; worship is a corporate act as well as personal. \Offer Wholehearted Service\ • 2 Chronicles 35:2–3—priests and Levites positioned for service. • Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” • 1 Peter 4:10—use gifts to serve one another. Action: engage every believer’s gifts—music, teaching, hospitality, prayer. \Embrace Joyful Celebration\ • 2 Chronicles 35:18—“No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel.” • Psalm 100:2—“Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs.” • Nehemiah 8:10—“the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Action: let gratitude and delight fuel songs, testimonies, offerings. \Worship in Spirit and Truth\ • John 4:23–24—“true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” • Philippians 3:3—“we worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus.” Action: depend on the Holy Spirit, exalt Christ, align with truth. \Maintain Ongoing Renewal\ • 2 Chronicles 35:19—Josiah’s Passover occurred “in the eighteenth year of his reign,” showing ongoing commitment. • Revelation 2:4–5—remember, repent, and do the works you did at first. • Psalm 51:10—“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Action: evaluate regularly, repent quickly, keep returning to God’s standard. \Summary Steps for Aligned Worship\ 1. Study and obey Scripture. 2. Purge idolatry and sin. 3. Gather faithfully and serve corporately. 4. Engage heart, mind, and body with joy. 5. Rely on the Spirit, centered on Christ. 6. Review and renew continually. |
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