Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Last month we considered how God created man for worship and even provided a sort of liturgy in his provision and prohibition.

But the pure worship of God was challenged by the serpent and a false liturgy was presented to Adam and Eve.

Jonathan Gibson The liturgical structure for humanity remained the same: call-response-meal.

But the object of worship had changed.

Worship through Sacrifice

Lucifer was cast out of heaven in order to preserve the worship of the angelic hosts.

On earth God established a new covenant with man.

The covenant of works was replaced by the covenant of grace.

The second Adam would correct what the first Adam destroyed.

Under this new covenant, God begins to show grace to his elect.

Adam and Eve are clothed with animal skin (an innocent party was slain for the guilty).

Perpetual sacrifices required in order to worship God throughout the Old Testament.

Jesus became the final lamb who was slain and now it is only through his sacrifice that we have access to the throne of God.

Worship at Eden, Sinai, and Zion

Old Testament worship can be summarized by the liturgy represented at each stage of redemptive history:

Adam in Eden: Call-Response-Meal

Israel on Sinai (): Gathering-Call-Cleansing-Mediated Access-Divine Communication-Consecration-Sacrifice-Divine Communication-Cleansing-Mediated Access-Fellowship Meal

Solomon on Zion (): Gathering-Cleansing-Mediated Access-Praise (singing and music)-Glory of God fills temple-Divine Communication (through Solomon)-Prayer (by Solomon)-Fire and Glory-Praise-Cleansing/consecreation-Meal-Blessing

Worship was only possible through sacrifice and the mediation of a prophet/priest.

Each new element of the liturgy was required in order to counter the effects that sin had introduced into worship.

Adam, Israel, and Solomon - Idolatrous Sons

The gracious arrangement of the covenant made their imperfect worship acceptable.

Idolatry was present from the beginning of Israel’s response to the Mosaic Covenant.

And that idolatry was never eradicated even after entering the Promised Land.

At the dedication of the temple under Solomon, worship reaches it’s climax.

But not even Solomon could maintain the purity of worship being drawn into idolatry through the influence of many wives.

Irreversible Idolatry

Jeroboam established two alternative locations of worship furnished with golden calves.

Sacrifices were offered under a rival priesthood.

This led to the removal of Israel from God’s presence.

Unfortunately, Judah didn’t fair much better.

King Manasseh continued the downward spiral.

The result was a covenant people who were more corrupt than their neighbors.

Despite the reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah, Judah was incapable of avoiding God’s wrath in the form of exile.

Even after the exile, after returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple, idolatry was present.

Ezekiel’s promise had not come to pass.

ezek

Next month we will get into the fulfillment of the New Covenant which has “already and not yet” aspects regarding modern worship.