How Then Shall We Worship?

We at the Church of Philadelphia, confess the Holiness of the Triune God(a). There is no one like Him(b). We, who are created, cannot know how to worship this Thrice Holy God without His Holy Word instructing our fallen hearts and minds(c). This Holy Word, both Testaments, is not ever done away with, but fulfilled in Christ(d). He is our Sacrifice(e), and He compels us to approach Him by sacrifice(f). In the First (old) Testament, three main sacrifices can be seen(g). The guilt/trespass/sin offering is the sacrifice given for sin(h). A true believer deals with his sin before approaching God to worship(i). After the sin issue is dealt with and forgiveness is assured, the sinner is ready to worship(j). The following Consecration (whole burnt) Offering is a sweet-smelling aroma to God, being pure worship, having nothing to do with sin(k). The Peace Offering is the Sign and Seal that the worshiper’s sacrifices have been accepted becoming food to him and to the priest(l). This is the acropolis of the worship service. Any time all three sacrifices are seen together, they follow this order(m), or “liturgy.” Also, it is the Lord that calls His people to worship(n), and not a nice idea we had. When the worship has concluded, God sends us out in blessing, literally: putting His Name on His children, blessing them(o). In this administration of the Covenant of Grace, God calls us to worship Him in the New Jerusalem: Mt. Zion(p). Immediately, His people confess their sin in light of the sacrifice of Christ(q). With clean hands and a pure heart, we worship Word and Sacrament culminating in the Lord’s Supper(r) (the fulfillment of the Peace Offering). We lift up our voices in unity to worship with a grateful heart(s), having partaken Him. We are blessed and sent out, renewed as His people: called, forgiven, fed, and blessed.

To Christ Jesus be Glory and Honor in the Church in every generation, world without end, and Amen(t).

a) Isa.6.3/57.25

b) Deu.4.35-39/32.31-39, 1Sa.2.22.32, Isa,44,6-8/45.5.6/46.9, Jer.10.7

c) Ps.51.16-17/50.21, Is.1.11-18

d) Mt.5.17-19/28.20

e) Isa.53, Heb.9.12-14/10.10-14, Eph.5.2, 1Cor.5.7, Rom.3.25-26

f) Ps.50.5

g) Lev.1-7

h) Lev.4-5

i) Isa.6.5, Lk.5.8

j) Ps.24.3-5

k) Lev.1.9,13,17

l) Lev.3

m) Lev.9, 2Ch.29.20-36

n) 2Ch.15.2-4

o) Nu.6.24-27

p) Heb.12.22-29

q) 1Jn.1.7-9, Jas.4.8-10/5.16

r) 1Cor.10.16

s) Col.3.16, Eph.5.19, Heb.13.15, Ps.150

t) Eph.3.21