How can we apply the principle of preparation in our worship today? Setting the Scene in Ezekiel 46:24 “He said to me, ‘These are the kitchens where the ministers of the temple will cook the sacrifices of the people.’” (Ezekiel 46:24) • In the visionary temple, God assigns specific rooms for priests to prepare offerings. • The verse may seem mundane, yet it showcases heaven-inspired order: preparation precedes presentation. • By placing kitchens inside the sanctuary complex, the Lord highlights that “behind-the-scenes” work is part of worship, not separate from it. Why Preparation Matters in God’s Design • Exodus 19:10–11 – before Sinai, Israel washed garments and waited two days: meeting God calls for readiness. • Leviticus 6:12–13 – priests kept the altar fire burning; continual tending ensured continual worship. • 1 Chronicles 15:12–15 – Levites consecrated themselves before carrying the ark; holiness demanded forethought. • 1 Corinthians 14:40 – “But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.” New-covenant gatherings still follow God’s pattern of order rooted in the Old. Translating Priesthood Kitchens to Modern Pews • We are now “a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5) • The “kitchen” moves from the temple courtyard to the believer’s heart, home, and church building. • Our sacrifices shift from bulls and goats to: – the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) – doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13:16) – yielding our bodies as “a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). • Each still requires advance thought, space, and spiritual mise en place. Practical Ways to Prepare Heart and Mind • Unhurried confession and repentance (Psalm 139:23-24). • Reading the coming week’s sermon text in advance. • Arriving early enough to still your soul (Psalm 46:10). • Listing reasons to thank God; bring them ready for song and testimony. • Tithes or gifts set aside beforehand, not hunted for during the offertory (1 Corinthians 16:2). • Rest: guard Saturday night or the evening before a worship gathering so fatigue does not dull adoration. Preparing Our Environment • Clean, ordered meeting space echoes the ordered courts of Ezekiel. • Musicians rehearse; sound teams check equipment; teachers review lessons (2 Chronicles 29:27-28). • Families set Bibles, notebooks, and children’s supplies by the door Saturday night. • Technology prepared—slides loaded, livestream tested—so focus stays on the Lord, not on glitches. Corporate Preparation as a Church Family • Elders and leaders meet for pre-service prayer, aligning hearts (Acts 13:2). • Song selection rooted in Scripture, checked for doctrinal fidelity. • Servers of communion examine themselves first (1 Corinthians 11:28). • Greeters instructed to model Christ’s welcome (Romans 15:7). • Congregation reminded mid-week through emails or texts of upcoming passages and themes. Keeping Preparation a Lifestyle, Not a Checklist • Daily cultivate the habits that make Sunday an overflow, not an exception (Psalm 119:147). • Hold short accounts with God and neighbor; nothing clogs worship like unresolved sin (Matthew 5:23-24). • Let household routines—meals, chores, conversations—become small “kitchens” where praise is seasoned, simmered, and ready. Verses for Deeper Reflection on Preparation • Psalm 24:3-4 – “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? … He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” • 2 Chronicles 12:14 – Rehoboam “did evil, because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.” • Amos 4:12 – “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” • Luke 1:17 – John’s ministry “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” • Revelation 19:7 – “His bride has made herself ready.” Thoughtful, intentional preparation—spiritual and practical—turns every gathering into a fragrant offering, just as those temple kitchens once transformed raw sacrifices into pleasing aromas for the Lord. |
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