In what ways can we ensure our worship aligns with God's instructions today? Focus Verse “Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest: ‘On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offerings and all the blood of the sacrifices. But the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.’ ” (2 Kings 16:15) Historical Snapshot • Ahaz copied a pagan altar he had admired in Damascus (2 Kings 16:10–12). • He silenced the Lord’s original bronze altar, setting up his new altar at the center of national worship. • Israel’s God-given pattern for sacrifice (Exodus 27:1–8; Deuteronomy 12:13–14) was casually replaced by a man-made design. Where Ahaz Went Off Track • Replaced God’s Word with personal preference. • Imitated surrounding culture instead of remaining distinct (Deuteronomy 12:4). • Pressured spiritual leaders to obey the king rather than the Lord (Acts 5:29 reminds us whom we must obey). • Treated worship as an experiment instead of a sacred trust (Leviticus 10:1–3; Hebrews 12:28–29). What Right Worship Looks Like • Anchored in Scripture, not trends – “Do not add to what I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). • Centered on the only Mediator, Jesus Christ – Old-covenant altar points forward to the cross (Hebrews 9:11–14). • Offered in spirit and truth – “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24). • Marked by holiness and reverence – “Among those who approach Me I will be proved holy” (Leviticus 10:3). • Expressed through obedient, surrendered lives – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Practical Ways to Keep Our Worship on Track 1. Let Scripture set the agenda • Choose songs, readings, and sermons that echo biblical truth. 2. Guard the Gospel’s centrality • Every element should point to Christ’s finished work (1 Corinthians 2:2). 3. Test every new practice • “Test all things; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). 4. Resist consumer-driven pressures • Worship is for God’s glory, not our entertainment (Colossians 3:17). 5. Cultivate accountable leadership • Elders and pastors submit to the authority of the Word, not popular demand (Titus 1:9). 6. Pursue personal holiness • Private devotion fuels corporate worship (Psalm 24:3–4). 7. Maintain reverence and joy together • “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). The Blessing of Obedient Worship When worship aligns with God’s instructions, we enjoy His presence, protection, and power (Psalm 22:3; 2 Chronicles 16:9). Our gatherings become foretastes of heaven, and our lives become living sermons declaring His worth to a watching world. |
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