"RESTORATION OF TRUE WORSHIP"

Dr. Divid E. Min,Pastor

“And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.

They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.

From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.” (Ezra 3:1-7)

이스라엘 자손이 각자의 성읍에 살았더니 일곱째 달에 이르러 일제히 예루살렘에 모인지라

요사닥의 아들 예수아와 그의 형제 제사장들과 스알디엘의 아들 스룹바벨과 그의 형제들이 다 일어나 이스라엘 하나님의 제단을 만들고 하나님의 사람 모세의 율법에 기록한 대로 번제를 그 위에서 드리려 할새

무리가 모든 나라 백성을 두려워하여 제단을 그 터에 세우고 그 위에서 아침 저녁으로 여호와께 번제를 드리며

기록된 규례대로 초막절을 지켜 번제를 매일 정수대로 날마다 드리고

그 후에는 항상 드리는 번제와 초하루와 여호와의 모든 거룩한 절기의 번제와 사람이 여호와께 기쁘게 드리는 예물을 드리되

일곱째 달 초하루부터 비로소 여호와께 번제를 드렸으나 그 때에 여호와의 성전 지대는 미처 놓지 못한지라

이에 석수와 목수에게 돈을 주고 또 시돈 사람과 두로 사람에게 먹을 것과 마실 것과 기름을 주고 바사 왕 고레스의 명령대로 백향목을 레바논에서 욥바 해변까지 운송하게 하였더라

There are several “forms” of worship we give unto the Lord be it in song, with musical instruments, in dance, prayer and verbal praise, in our giving and in the way we live our lives.

However, all of these “forms” are only outward expressions of the “True Worship” that begins from within.

Here in the book of Ezra we are given a perfect example of what true worship unto the Lord is. Upon their release from captivity, the children of Israel departed the land of Babylon where they had been carried away by Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon, and returned each one, back to the Land of Jerusalem.

And in the seventh month they all came together as one to restore worship unto the Lord God. Two verses caught my attention while studying this chapter in the book of Ezra and they were: “And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.” And “They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written….” Now, you may ask “what’s so important about those verses?

Where is their worship unto the Lord as they are not singing songs, or beating upon tambourines, nor are they dancing and praising with a loud voice so how are they worshiping the Lord?” If you look carefully into these scriptures you will note that both these verses and the acts that followed demonstrates ONE thing, the highest and greatest form of worship we can give unto the Lord, the very essence and beginning of “True Worship”, that one thing being OBEDIENCE!

There is no greater worship unto the Lord than FIRST obedience for it demonstrates to the Lord Reverence, Intense devotion, Love and Admiration for Him as He said in His Word: “If you love me, keep my commandments”, thus obedience is a reflection of our love.

As the children of Israel displayed their Love of the Father, in obeying the laws given by Moses in the book of Numbers chapter 29:1-12 and kept the feast of tabernacles and the day of atonement as commanded of the Lord.

They also gathered themselves together as ONE MAN which indicates that they all came together for the same purpose, having the same desire, the same common goal, that being to worship The Lord God in the keeping of His commandments given through Moses.

They didn’t come together in bickering, complaining, murmuring, or concerned with ANYTHING ELSE other than to WORSHIP THE LORD GOD AS ONE! At one time they broke the commandments of the Lord which displeased him greatly, now they stood before him as ONE, bringing back “Restoration of True Worship” and demonstrating through their surrender to Him, that the heart of true worship begins with obedience. Then worship is outwardly displayed through song and lifting up our voice in praise, but one cannot TRULY worship the Lord if his/her heart is not right with Him.

Today, it seems the “Church” has lost the essence of worship as somehow it has moved over in the area of “entertainment” rather than obedience and reverence unto the Lord God. It is wonderful to lift the Lord up in praise through song and I for one ENJOY with all my heart the sound of a true worshiper, but before genuine worship can go forth, hearts must be swept clean for NO ONE can be a TRUE WORSHIPER of the Lord and desire from his heart the praise of man or to be seen and acknowledge by man for The LORD GOD shares the Glory with NO ONE.

Nor can one be a True Worshiper of the Lord and Hate his/her brother or sister for this is in disobedience to His command: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Nor can one be a True worshiper of the Lord and allow bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to fester in the heart, or live a life of continual sin having no desire to repent. And No one can be a True worshiper of the Lord and cause strife and division among the brethren through gossip and slander.

For the Lord sees EVERY deed and knows the “secrets” of EVERY HEART. NOTHING is hidden from Him. Therefore, you cannot go to Him in a form of worship and praise, in seeking to honor him and have a heart consumed with wickedness.

For such the scriptures says: “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Is 29:13)

Now IS the time to repent and bring “Restoration of True Worship” back to the Church. Let worship begin in the spirit, following an outward form of praise through song, prayer, hymns, etc. remembering always that obedience is the greatest form of praise for it declares to him…our LOVE!

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in turth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always…….