Summer Series: “Jesus and the Transformation of Worship” Hebrews 8-9

An Argument for Simple New Covenant Worship Features of the Old Worship Tent

An Argument for Simple New Covenant Worship Features of the Old Worship Tent Furnishings

An Argument for Simple New Covenant Worship Features of the Old Worship Tent Furnishings Services

An Argument for Simple New Covenant Worship Failures of the Old Worship Focus on Ritual Failure of Heart Features of the Old Worship Tent Furnishings Services

Isaiah 1:11-17 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord…. Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me…. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean … learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

An Argument for Simple New Covenant Worship Focus of the New Worship Inward Failures of the Old Worship Focus on Ritual Failure of Heart Features of the Old Worship Tent Furnishings Services

Revelation 1:14 -15 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

Objections: 1. Does this mean Christians cannot participate in the arts?

Objections: 2. Does this mean we ought to do away with all externals? 1. Does this mean Christians cannot participate in the arts?

What to Allow in Worship? Normative Principle (allow all not forbidden)

What to Allow in Worship? Normative Principle (allow all not forbidden) Regulative Principle (allow only commanded)

What to Allow in Worship? Public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13; Col 4:15, 16) Preaching/teaching (Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2) The Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11) Mutual instruction and exaltation of God in singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 26:30) Praying corporately (Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1-6) Confessing common faith (1 Timothy 6:12) Giving offerings to meet needs (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)

Objections: 3. Does this teaching relegate Christian worship to the purely private sphere of the heart? 2. Does this mean we ought to do away with all externals? 1. Does this mean Christians cannot participate in the arts?

An Argument for Simple New Covenant Worship Focus of the New Worship Inward Outward Failures of the Old Worship Focus on Ritual Failure of Heart Features of the Old Worship Tent Furnishings Services

Hebrews 12:28-29 … let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13:1-3 Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers … Remember those who are in prison….

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

“Christian proclamation might make the gospel audible, but Christians living together in local congregations make the gospel visible.” Mark Dever

“How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe that the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? Leslie Newbigin

I am suggesting that the only answer I am suggesting that the only answer ... is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it. I am, of course, not denying the importance of the many activities by which we seek to challenge public life with the gospel– Leslie Newbigin

But I am saying that these are all secondary, and that they have power to accomplish their purpose only as they are rooted in and lead back to a believing community.” Leslie Newbigin