Worship Today
Direct parallels exist
between the Old Testament sacrificial system and modern worship. As
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Bible
commentators have pointed out that Yahweh took only six days to create this
world, but took 30 days to reveal to mankind His prescribed and proper worship,
Ex. 40:17-Nu.1:1.
The worship Yahweh expects and desires of us is very
precise, and building the proper spiritual character within mankind requires
much time. Even getting His attention is prescribed for us in His word, and we
must diligently seek Him.
"But
without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to Yahweh must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him," Heb. 11:6.
The Corban Offering
Notice
Lev. 1:2: "...If any man of you
bring an offering unto Yahweh, you shall bring your offering of the cattle,
even of the herd, and of the flock." This voluntary offering is known
as the "corban," an
admittance or approach offering.
To approach a monarch or superior in the East, a gift
is brought to secure an audience with him. It is often referred to as "the face-offering." After the
"corban" was accepted and admittance gained, then the real offering
or present was given.
Ancient
A Deeper, Spiritual Meaning
These
animal sacrifices indicate something deeper, and carry a profound spiritual
lesson for those who accept Yahshua as Savior. Sacrifices are still with us in
the New Testament, but take on a deeper and more personal spiritual meaning in
our worship and daily walk. Let us examine the lessons to be learned underlying
the commanded animal sacrifices and spiritual understanding we are to perceive
from the various sacrificial offerings.
In the New Covenant era, we do not bring an animal to
be sacrificed at the
The Book of Hebrews reveals that sacrifices of animals
is no longer done because of the change in the priesthood from the Levitical to
that of Melchisedek. Chapter seven of Hebrews points out that Yahshua the
Messiah is our High Priest of the order of Melchisedek.
Yahshua is the firstborn from the dead, and is
referred to as our Elder Brother. As the firstborn son, He also became the
priest of the family. We are a type of the firstborn, or firstfruits, James
1:18; Rev. 14:4. We are being called to become priests in the Kingdom under
Yahshua. We are to be teachers of Yahweh’s way of life.
The Calves of Our Lips
It
is the "fruit of our lips" in giving thanks to Yahweh which is the spiritual sacrifice we are to make
today, Hebrews 13:15. (Hosea 14:2 reads "calves of our lips.")
Thus, instead of presenting the "corban
offering," we enter into the presence of Yahweh with songs of praise (Ps.
100:2), the fruit of our lips. We are the living stones being built into "a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Yahweh by Yahshua
the Messiah," our High Priest, 1Peter 2:5.
Our Savior condemned the "corban" offering
wherein one might bring a gift to Yahweh, but willfully neglect his other
duties such as obligations to his parents, Mark 7:11. We are to be examples for
others even now. The offering was just the beginning step of pure worship, a gift
to get Yahweh’s attention.
Our Bodies A Spiritual Sacrifice
Paul
clarifies what is now expected of us who have accepted Yahshua’s sacrifice:
"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in
view of [Yahweh’s] mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasant to [Yahweh]—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what [Yahweh’s] will is—His
good, pleasing and perfect will," Romans 12:1-2 NIV.
We come to worship Yahweh on the Sabbath, a day He
Himself has set aside for us to worship Him. With songs of praise and thanks,
we extol and lift up His Name, Yahweh, as He has commanded us to do in Psalm
68:4. He clearly tells us to sing praises to His Name, which we know is Yahweh.
We are not to follow the rebellious who substitute another name or title,
calling Him "L-rd, G-d, Eternal," or whatever their carnal minds
imagine.
Singing Peculiar To Biblical Worship
Singing
is distinctive to the worship of Yahweh. Most clubs or fraternal organizations
do not include singing in their gatherings. Eastern religions
characteristically have a chant or mantra which is constantly repeated. The
Bible encourages us to sing spiritual songs.
Singing is first mentioned when the joyful Israelites
crossed over the
It was King David who appointed certain of the Levites
to minister before Yahweh and to thank and praise Him with instruments and song
as the ark of the Covenant was brought to
The Disciples Sang
When
taken captive,
There was a period of time before the New Testament
was written in which the early believers studied and followed only the Old
Testament, for that is all they had. Singing the Psalms was common, for all 150
Psalms are appropriate for our worship.
Some Psalms command us to use musical instruments to
accompany the singers: "Praise Yahweh
with harp; sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings;
sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise," Psalm
33:2-3. A number of Psalms tell us to praise Yahweh with timbrel, harp, and
trumpet. Obviously used in the Old Testament, instruments are therefore
acceptable in the New Testament. Some churches erroneously teach against any
musical instruments in their services.
Singing was a custom of the Savior and His disciples
(Mat. 26:30) as they sang the great Hallel Psalms at Passover before He was
impaled.
We Stand—Out Of Respect
Because
singing praises to Yahweh and lifting up His Son is the spiritual counterpart
of offering a "face or audience offering,” it is only proper that we stand
when we address the King of the universe and give Him the honor and respect He
deserves.
Assuredly, we would stand if we offered a gift to the
president of the
Yahweh Is Our Audience
When
assembling on the Sabbath in obedience to Yahweh’s will, the earthly human
gathering joyfully directs their praises to our Heavenly Father. The moderator
of the Assembly is simply the coordinator of the gathering as he guides us
along in harmony to praise and give thanks to Yahweh in the heavens. We are the
performers, Yahweh is the audience.
The preacher merely teaches the Word as the Spirit of
the Heavenly Father moves him to speak. The entire service is directed to
Yahweh and His Son. He is the audience. We are performing for His benefit.
Songs and special music are not for the benefit of the
assembled brethren. Everything is done to please our Heavenly Father. Applause
and clapping for any performance is not to be done by the assembly, for the
singers, musicians and others with special offerings are directing those to
Yahweh. He is the one we are trying to please. We gather to worship Yahweh and
feed His sheep. The offerings made to exalt Yahweh will inspire the worshipers
and through these offerings the assembly is blessed.
The Savior expected His followers to gather as a body
each Sabbath for praise and worship, "Exhorting
one another; and so much the more, as you see the day approaching," Hebrews 10:25.
When Yahshua ascended, the Holy Spirit was sent to
this earth, and inspired brethren were raised up to edify the assembly. Thus,
we find that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers were
promised us by the Savior for today’s "perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Messiah," Eph. 4:12. Thus, we see that Yahshua makes provision for His
Assembly to be a viable, living organism.
We Are Living Stones
Each
of us has a place in the body of Messiah, we are told in 1Cor.
We are expected to join with others in worship each
Sabbath so that we learn to work together. We are to do more than tolerate one
another, but are to exhibit Yahshua’s agape love and compassion within the body
of believers. We are to grow in the maturity of the Messiah, Eph. 4:13.
The shaping, cutting, grinding and polishing of the "living stones" of Yahweh’s
spiritual temple is needed to fit us properly into the spiritual house built
upon Yahshua the Chief Cornerstone. We read: "You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Yahweh by
Yahshua the Messiah." (1 Peter 2:5)
Scattered Especially Need The Feasts
Gathering
to worship Yahweh and sing praises to His Name is expected of all believers.
However, many are isolated and scattered, unable to get together with the body
of believers as they would like. They can benefit in listening to a selected CD or watching a video each Sabbath. A growing number do this, singing along
with the DVDs and taking full advantage of our reaching out in extended
fellowship and sharing.
Paul wrote of a similar experience and told the
Corinthians that as they were gathered in the Name of Yahshua the Messiah, he
was with them in spirit and the combined spiritual power would give them
special wisdom, 1Cor. 5:4. Prayer works wonders!
Worship today centers on the spiritual growth of
Yahweh’s people. Ancient
Today we do not have the Tabernacle nor Levitical
priesthood. Nor do we have the sanctuary furniture such as the lampstand, the
brazen altar, the laver, altar of incense, nor the ark of the Covenant. Each of
these represented a spiritual aspect of worship.
We should strive to mature spiritually and assemble
when possible for, "where two or
three are gathered together in [Yahshua’s] Name," He is there in our
midst. The gathering of the saints (who are Yahweh’s treasure, His purchased
possession) as a body sanctifies the gathering.
The building itself is not holy, but is sanctified by
the presence of the saints. When they disband, the departing brethren each
retain their portion of Yahweh’s Spirit: "Know
you not that you are the
Following Yahshua with little fellowship is indeed a
lonely walk. With only the Holy Spirit monitoring our lives, we must lean more
and more on Yahweh’s Word and follow as closely as we are able. It takes
determination and strength to stand for truth.
Many true believers are the only ones in their town,
or may be the only believer in the family. Perhaps this is why the Feast of
Tabernacles and other Feast days in Yahweh’s calendar are really special times
of gathering and much-needed fellowship.
Yahweh tells us that He is calling but a few now to
rule with His Son: "Turn, O
backsliding children, says Yahweh; for I am married unto you: and I will take
you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to
Meeting together with the brothers and sisters helps
clarify some of the doctrines that may be a bit fuzzy. We can get support or
correction from others who are also good Bible students. We must let His word
teach us, as this is a part of learning and growing.
The chiseling, grinding, shaping and polishing of the
"living stones" for that "spiritual
May Yahweh keep you on the narrow way that leads to
life eternal. We pray that Yahshua’s coming Kingdom will be in the forefront of
your mind until He returns, and that you will be encouraged to worship with
others of this precious faith, "...and
so much the more as you see the day approaching."
© 2007 Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
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