The great theme of worship - a dash through the Bible
In Genesis, Adam and Eve fellowship and communed with God in the garden until a snake in the grass ruined everything - and then the patriarchs built their altars.
Exodus reveals the tabernacle being established for a people called to centre their lives around the worship of the Lord.
In Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, an elaborate sacrificial system is established, a system to enable the people to worship.
In established Israel temples are built, but there is a repetitive story of Israel worshipping the true God and turning to worthless idols.
The prophets come and break pots, one parades naked! and Elijah calls down fire from heaven - all to call God’s people back to worship which is more than a song or a prayer but is a lifestyle....
The Psalmist repeatedly echoes the call to worship - in Psalm 150 alone, there are 13 commands to praise the Lord with energy and creativity.
In the Gospels, we see Jesus prioritising being in His Father’s house, and at times, avoiding crowds to give Himself to prayer to the Father.
The Early church was born in prayer and praise - so enthusiastic were they that some
thought they were drunk!
In the Epistles – the letters to the Corinthians speak of order in worship, and James warns
against superficiality in worship.
Ephesians gives us a great vision of Christ and the call to us all to worship Him.
Colossians warns against ‘super spirituality’ infecting worship, and 1 Peter reminds us that we are all part of God’s royal priesthood.
Hebrews calls us into the holy of holies, and Revelation reveals a heavenly throng that worships with such volume that when heaven is silent for half hour, someone writes it down!