Symbolic Worship

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Old Covenant sanctuary

Old covenant - there were outward symbols. The earthly place of holiness was symbolic of the true holy place found with Christ and our Heavenly Father. Verse 1

Divine appointment - made with a purpose

A tent was prepared - this was not just an ordinary tent but was made by divine appointment. The layout of the rooms, the furniture, and everything inside was ordained by God. These weren’t just ornament objects, but they had a purpose and meaning. Everything in the tabernacle had a purpose, a meaning, and a reason for being there. Verse 2

This 1st part of the tabernacle area was visited by priests daily. Inside the holy place was the lampstand, table, and bread.

Most Holy Place

This area was behind the 2nd curtain or “the veil” and was not open to all men, but only to Jews; not all Jews, but only to priests; but not all priests, only the high priest alone; and not even to him at all times but on one solitary day in the year.

This area was reserved for a sacred time of the year and for only the high priest. Verses 3&4

We cannot speak in detail

Why? Was it because they forgot about the details inside the holy of holies? Was it that they were forbidden to speak of it? NO - it is because that is not the focus point of the author. He could spend alot of time and detail discussing the particulars of this area but that wasn’t the point of his message or the scriptures. Verse 5

Ritual Duties

Every morning and evening the priests would entire the first tent and perform their ritualistic duties. They would trim the lamps, offer up incense, and on the sabbath they would replace the bread. Verse 6

Yearly access to God

The high priest couldn’t just simply go within the veil - because he was not perfect. He had to be sprinkled with the blood and that made him officially perfect. But when next year came around, he would have to be sprinkled with the blood again before he could go within the veil. And this would happen every year - every year the HIGH PRIEST would need the blood to purify him before he could gain access behind the veil. If he would try to enter without the blood first - it would be to his death…just like us. Verse 7

Rituals and Symbols of Faith

The Old Testament and old covenant was full of rituals and symbols. These were very important things of the time. The earthly sanctuary and its fleshly ordinances served God’s purpose well. It revealed the terrible nature and price of sin. It revealed the need for shedding of blood to provide the remission of sin. It prepared people for the coming of the ultimate sacrifice; but as useful as this was, it was temporary and symbolic! It was a copy and shadow of what was to come and it was designed to vanish when Christ came.

Do we still offer God fleshly, ritualistic worship; or do we worship Him in Spirit?

Are we too focused on “our ministry” programs at church instead of bringing Glory to God’s church! Are we too focused on worrying about the things of this world and the current events, instead of focusing on our place of eternity? Are we more concerned with…then saving souls for Christ? Is our worship only superficial and for show or is it genuine?

John 4: 23-24

John 4:23–24 ESV

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Romans 12: 1

Romans 12:1 ESV

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.

Matthew 13: 24-30

Matthew 13:24–30 ESV

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

Satan strives to mingle in “weeds” among the “wheat”. He strives to place distractions in our lives to take our focus off of Christ and instead place our focus on the things of this world. The best way we tackle this - is to learn and study the word of God. The more we know and the more we have a relationship with Christ, the less distracted we will be.

Example about distractions - watching TV? Children playing with toys? Distracted by activities, work, keeping up with the Jones’s or a virus?

We need authentic worship

In uncertain times and in times with so many distractions going on around us, we need to make it a priority to seek after Christ with all that we do. This world needs Jesus. We need Jesus!

Hear our cry, Lord, we pray Our faces down, our hands are raised You called us out, we turned away We've turned away

With shipwrecked faith the idols rise We do what is right in our own eyes Our children now will pay the price We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light

If we've ever needed You Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now We are desperate for Your hand We're reaching out, we're reaching out

All our hearts, all our strength With all our minds, we're at Your feet May Your kingdom come in our hearts and lives Let Your church arise, let Your church arise

If we've ever needed You Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now We are desperate for Your hand We're reaching out, we're reaching out We're reaching out