Worship Articles by Stephen M. Newman Pastor of Worship and Arts August 15, 2006
In the days of Moses, the offering was a very integral part in the lives of the people. Although there were different types of offerings and sacrifices that took place, Leviticus 9 and 10 speak of three specific types of offerings. They were sin offerings, fellowship offerings, and burnt offerings. When Moses summoned the people on the eighth day, they presented these offerings to the Lord in accordance with God's prescribed way of offering each sacrifice. Moses instructed Aaron to tell the Israelites to bring certain animals for the different sacrifices that would take place that day. He followed with the statement, "For today the Lord will appear to you.” Wow! Imagine the picture of God’s actual presence being there. I tend to envy those in the Old Testament who actually met and talked with God, and who experienced Him in various ways that aren’t experienced today. When everything was in place, Leviticus 9:23-24 says, "Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting. When they had come out, they blessed the people and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell face down.” What a sight it would have been to witness the events of that day! The people were obedient to God as they upheld His prescription for the sacrifice of offerings.
In the first verse of chapter 10, the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, decided that they were going to present their own offering to God. They concocted a blend of incense in their censers and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord. I’m sure it seemed to be a good idea at the time. What was the result? The two were consumed by fire and died before the Lord. I don’t read that these two sons of Aaron had wrong intentions in their hearts. We don't know why they did what they did. It seems hard for us as Christians to think that God would do something so drastic and unloving to two men who wanted to offer an offering to Him. When the two sons were lying dead before the people and the Lord, God said, "Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all people I will be honored."
I have to retract my statement of envy for living in those days. I would probably fall into the same fate as Hadab and Abihu. Sometimes we think that we are doing a great thing for the Lord when in fact we aren't. We feel that by giving our tithes God is pleased even though we may hold a bit of resentment for having to do it. Do we give with hearts that are pure? Do we give in a way that honors the Lord or do we toss it in the plate and hope that God is pleased with us?
Worship and the offering
The church I attend just started a mid week worship service. During this service we don't take an offering. It is simply one hour of worshiping God. There is no sermon. Just one hour of worshiping God. Just music and our minds concentrating on praisi...more
The Offering - A Part of Our Worship?
We will see sacrifice and offering is related to worship (shachah). However, it is the service performed so we can worship (Gen 22:5, Jos 22:27, Isa 19:21,23, Eze 46:2, Zep 3:10).1 Samuel 15:25 is when Saul wants to worship, but knows his sin prev...more
Submitted by: Steve Butler Location: Denver, CO
Right on time
This is such a timely word. Our Chuch has just started to refesh ourselves on giving and have just started adotpting the fact that we are still worhipping in our giving. - Thanks to you for listening to God's voice. I will be forwarding this to my Pa...more
Submitted by: Anne-Marie Location: London, England
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
The Paul Langford Project
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.