RPG Adults
CONGRUENCY OF WORSHIP ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN!
LORD’S DAY, MAY 26
Leviticus 17
John 4:21-24
“…This is the thing which
the LORD hath commanded…”
CONGRUENCY OF WORSHIP ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN!
No Israelite was permitted to offer a sacrifice of any clean animals anywhere inside and outside the camp. It was a serious transgression equivalent to the worship of devils. The punishment was to be cut off which often meant death! This teaching was NOT against the killing of the clean animals such as an ox, a lamb, or a goat for their personal consumption. The list of clean animals that the Israelites were permitted to consume for food included the clean animals that were suitable for worship. Just in case any Israelite were to kill a clean animal for offering to the LORD away from the Tabernacle, it would surely lead to idolatry which is the worship of devils. This teaching protected the Israelites from sinning against God. No man, even using the clean animals prescribed by God, was allowed to worship the LORD in any place other than the place that the LORD had designed and designated. They had to bring their offerings to the priest who would offer them before the LORD’s altar as a peace offering since they were offered freely out of their love for the LORD.
Even when the intention of the worshippers was right (i.e. to glorify the LORD), they were not permitted to offer anywhere else outside of the Tabernacle. They had to worship the LORD in spirit and in truth and in the right location. To worship the LORD rightly was the most important part of Israel’s witness for Christ. Every aspect of worship offered to the LORD was ordained by Him. Man’s worship on earth is to be a true reflection of worship in heaven. Carnal and man-centred worship is not acceptable on earth, and it is definitely not acceptable in heaven! Heavenly worship is always God-centred and holy.
This truth is one of the best ways to evaluate if a church glorifies God or not. Heavenly worship is reverential, holy and must be according to Scriptures. This holds true of all worship on earth from the hymns sung to the Word of God preached, and the whole ambience within the sanctuary must be sombre and Spirit-filled.
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 17:7
PRAYER: Teach me, Father, to worship Thee in spirit and in truth always. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.