Worship Preparation guide for Sunday, April 29

Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, April 29

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given,  “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.     

(Hebrews 12:18-24 ESV)

Last week we were exhorted to run strong together, pursuing peace and holiness; running confidently because of what God is doing for us and in us through his loving discipline.   We were warned to not be like Esau, who traded eternal blessings for temporary pleasure. Esau failed to persevere, did not obtain the grace of God, and could not undo the tragic consequences of his decisions. 

Chapter 12 is the climax of the Book of Hebrews.  This chapter encourages us to not quit, to not turn back, but to instead keep running toward our eternal destination.  We can confidently finish the race to Mount Zion because of what Jesus accomplished on Mount Calvary. 

At Mount Sinai the people were physically confronted with the holiness and majesty of God.  The physical sights and sounds declared in no uncertain terms the reality of the unapproachable God.  The Law given there was not intended to make a way for sinners to approach God. Instead it graciously revealed their desperate need for a perfect Mediator. They needed someone other than Moses to make a way for them. 

In Christ we have that Perfect Mediator.  When we come to God through Jesus we do not meet God at an earthly location.  Christianity has no geographic headquarters!  We come to the heavenly city where God lives, a heavenly assembly of those belonging to Him. We come to God the Holy Judge not fearing His condemning voice, but welcomed by Him through the reconciling blood of Jesus.  Because of what Christ did on Mount Calvary we can run with joyful confidence toward Mount Zion - our eternal destination. 

As you prepare for worship this Sunday consider this great truth: Mt Sinai proclaimed to the terrified worshipper, “Stay Away! Come no closer!”  The message proclaimed to us is: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  (Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV)

God invites you to come into His presence; you don't have to fearfully stay away!

God invites you to come confidently, you can confess your sin and come with a clear and clean conscience!

God invites you to come together with your brothers and sisters in Christ, knowing that in so doing you are encouraging each other and getting a taste of what we will experience all the more as the day draws near. 

The picture of worship in this week’s passage is one of joyous celebration.  One of our songs of celebration reminds us of the 10,000 reasons we have to be filled with joy and thanksgiving as we gather for worship. 

You can hear the song at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiC4GU4NttA

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) by Matt Redman   

CCLI Song No. 6016351

 Chorus 1

Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul, Worship His holy name,

Sing like never before, O my soul, I'll worship Your holy name.

Verse 1:  

The sun comes up it's a new day dawning; 

It's time to sing Your song again;

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, 

Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Verse 2: You're rich in love and You're slow to anger, 

Your name is great and Your heart is kind;

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing, 

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Verse 3: And on that day when my strength is failing, 

The end draws near and my time has come;

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending; 

Ten thousand years and then forevermore.