## Worship in the O.T.

## Exodus 25:9

When we think of worship we usually equate it with Sunday morning services. That isn't the only time that we can worship, but it is when God's people come together for corporate worship. This type of worship didn't begin with the local church, it began when God instructed Moses on how to build the Tabernacle. The worship of the Old Testament was filled with shadows and types of Christ and our true worship today.

This morning we want to look at a number of things concerning the worship of the Old Testament and see what they have to do with our worship today. First we will look at the Tabernacle and then at the various offerings that were offered. Worship in the Tabernacle was designed to show the sinner how he could draw near to a Holy God.

I. The Tabernacle.

A. The Altar of Burnt Offering.

1. This reminded the worshipers of their sin and the need of a sacrifice.

2. This would be the first item they would see as they entered into the court.

3. It reminds us of our sacrifice...John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

B. The Laver.

1. This held water for cleansing.

2. It represented the sinner's need for spiritual cleansing.

3. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5

4. That cleansing continues after we are saved through confession and forgiveness for our sins according to 1 John 1:9.

C. The Table of Shewbread.

1. The bread was to sustain the priests.

2. The bread represents the sustaining power of Jesus Christ in the life of the believer.

3. "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger..." Jn. 6:35a

4. Just as physical bread sustains physical life...so too our spiritual life is sustained by the bread of life, Jesus Christ!

D. The Golden Lampstand.

1. Provided the only light available in the place of service, the holy place.

2. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

3. There can be no service to Him without the light from Him! That was true then and it is certainly true today.

E. The Altar of Incense.

1. This was a place of communion and prayer, the incense was to burn continually.

2. We are instructed to "pray without ceasing." cf 1Thess. 5:17

3. David said, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense..." cf Ps. 141:2a

4. Prayer brings us into the closest possible communion with the Father in heaven.

F. The Ark of the Covenant.

1. This is where God met with man.

2. The high priest would come once a year and present the blood of the sacrifice as an atonement for sin.

3. Christ is our mercy seat.

4. The only way foe a Holy God to meet and commune with sinful man was through the blood!

II. The Five Offerings of the Old Testament.

A. The Burnt Offering. cf Le. 1:1-17

1. This pictures total consecration.

2. The worshiper voluntarily offered up this offering and the entire animal he sacrificed was consumed on the altar.

3. It all belonged to God, and we should be willing to give our all to Him.

4. Paul refers to it as a "living sacrifice".

B. The Meal (Meat) offering. cf Le. 2:1-16

1. This offering was offered up back to God in gratitude for His blessings upon us.

2. This was to be of the firstfruits.

3. This offering illustrates the importance of our giving back to God out of a heart of gratitude for the life He has given to us.

C. The Peace Offering. cf Le. 3:1-17

1. This was to be placed upon the ashes of the burnt offering.

2. It rested upon the work of the sacrifice previously made.

3. We can have peace with God only because Jesus voluntarily gave Himself to God on the cross.

D. The Sin Offering. cf Le. 4:1-5:13

1. This is for the sin that was committed in ignorance.

2. It was to cover the unintentional sin.

3. When we approach God we need to be reminded that at best we are still sinners before God.

4. And that our only basis for approaching Him is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

E. The Trespass Offering. cf Le. 5:14-6:7

1. This offering was for specific sins that were committed intentionally.

2. The difference between this and the sin offering is that this required restitution.

3. One cannot rightly worship if he harbors sin in his life or even confessed sin that hasn't been made right. Note: The handout on the offerings.

Conclusion: The Old Testament shows the people of God worshiping God by an acknowledgment of their sin, a confidence in His grace, and an appreciation for His goodness. That pictures what our worship should be today!