A Life of Worship: Part 2 of3
Worship At a Distance
Pastor Adam Parmenter

The Garden:
· Close to God
· Separation from God

The OT Sacrificial System

Functioned as a Worship System
Genessis 22:5
I Sam 1:3

Material & Highly Specific

Location specific

Specific forms of dress, furnishings and setting

Consecrated Objects

Personnel – A restricted class

Object of worship – Hidden behind veil

Forms were similar to other cultures.

Big difference: Other gods needed sacrifices.

In Israel: The people needed the sacrifices.

Two defining acts of worship
Celebration of festivals
Offering of sacrifices[i]

What God cares most about heart condition.

O.T. Temple Worship

Offering of sacrifices – An inocent substitute shed its blood in place of the worshiper.

Burnt Offering: Voluntary act of worship in devotion to God or atonement for unintentional sin. Completely consumed.

Grain Offering - Voluntary act of worship recognizing God’s goodness & provision. Memorial portion offered / meal.

Peace Offering – Voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving & fellowship.

God’s portion burnt on altar. Priest received breast and right shoulder for he and his family. Remainder must be eaten by worshiper and his family prior to third day.

Sin Offering – mandatory atonement for sin. God’s portion burned.

Portions for priest and worshiper.

Trespass Offering – Mandatory atonement for sin requiring restitution in addition to fine.
God’s portion.
Portions for priest and worshiper.

Sabath Keeping - A day of rest. Encouraged play, family & worship. Leviticus 23:1-3

Feasts – Provided a “sabbath” rest and celebratory remembrance of God’s gracious provision.

Two examples: Passover & First fruits.

Must bring the offering before they could eat from the harvest.

Prayer –II Chron 7:11-16 / Isaiah 56:5-8

Burning incense - Exodus 30:8 “…perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.”

Lampstand - No windows in holy place. Only golden lampstand.

Bread of presence – On table in the Holy Place across from lampstand. On

Sabbath replaced with fresh bread. Priests would eat old bread in a holy place.

Music – Temple was staffed with singers (I Chronicles 25:7-31).

Expressions of worship

Psalm 92 - Psalm for the Sabbath day.
Give thanks
Sing praises
Declare God’s perfections
What else do we sing about

Repentence and God’s righteousness (Psalm 51)

First person testimony (Psalm 23)

Requests for God to conquer evil (Psalm 58)

Song of ascents (Psalm 122)

Fasting – Required on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-30)

Grieving / pouring out soul before the Lord (I Sam. 1:12-18 / Ps 22)

Fearing God (Psalm 96:9 / Psalm 22:23-25)

GRACE EXPRESSED: A way to have a relationship with God.

PROBLEM: Long distance relationship. Don’t get too close.

· Tina Dell is undergoing testing due to low hemoglobin.
· Shirley Means (Miriam Bryant's sister) is receiving therapy and hopes to go home soon. She is in Henderson, Nevada.
· Caroline Bocock has been terribly ill as she is dealing with a Lyme Disease outbreak. Some of her symptoms included being in excruciating pain, having blackouts, issues with sleeping, darkening vision, random skin issues, a constant headache since 11/5, and so much more. She is taking a regiment of medications to get it under control.
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) is receiving outpatient therapy but hasn’t found an even keel yet. He has been allowed to return to the school environment with many boundaries in place. The Marshall family is still very much in crisis mode and continued prayers are appreciated as they try to adjust medications and work with Nolan to manage his diagnoses.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com