MAKUBUNG GIVEN A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP 06 MARCH 2018

INTRODUCTION

We as minister preach from the Old Testament because it reveals the

beginning of everything that God created and also reveals that humanity is
created in God’s image, created to be like Him and to share ruler ship with God
over the universe [Genesis 1:26-27]. Old Testament reveals that there would
be a new covenant under which God would give people the gift of His Spirit.
Old Testament reveals the plan of God that there would be a saviour who
would pay the death penalty for our sins, that this saviour Messiah would
establish the Kingdom of God on earth. The New Testament is built on the
foundation of the Old Testament and together they form one complete story
of God’s deep love for mankind and His plan for humanity.
THE SYMBOLISM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT TEMPLE
The boundaries of the court declared that God is holy even though He dwelt
among His people [Exodus 19:12]. Lay people had to be ritually clean in order
to enter the outer court and bring their sacrifices to the priests and the Levites.
The alter in the outer court reminded the worshipers that sacrifice was
necessary to approach this holy God and entrance into God’s presence also
required a priestly mediator who offer the sacrifice.
The bronze sea of Solomon’s temple serves as a reminder that those lead the
worship must prepare themselves and be holy [ Exodus 30:18]. The table of the
leaven bread or the bread of the presence which represent the presence of
God with His people and the bread on the table points to the fact that worship
involves covenant fellowship with the great King Yahweh [Exodus 24:9-11].

The golden lampstand served the practical function of providing light in the
Holy place and it reminded the worshiper of God’s abiding presence in the
Garden. The alter of the incense that was before the entrance of Holy of Holies
it provided the ordo within the Holy place that was maintained morning and
evening and also symbolized the worshiper dedicated prayer life. The Ark of
the covenant within the Holy of Holies was the most potent symbol of God’s
presence among His people; it was the footstool of God’s throne and The
symbolism is rich here because of the cherubim are heavenly creatures
associated with the throne of God and their downward gaze through the mercy
seat toward the tablets declare the necessity of blood atonement for Israel
covenant breaking sin. Atonement sacrifice was made once a year the High
MAKUBUNG GIVEN A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP 06 MARCH 2018

priest sprinkled the blood of the prescribed sacrifice on the mercy seat and
make atonement for the Israelites ‘sin.
JESUS REPLACED THE OLD TESTAMENT TEMPEL
The Lord’s temple has been part of both the old covenant and the new
covenant. The Lord established the old covenant as a temporal, preparatory
covenant. When He came to the earth, He replaced the old covenant with the
new covenant, a spiritual, eternal covenant. The temple building of the old
covenant was a man-made precursor of the temple new covenant, which is
made by God but the new temple of the new covenant is not a building build
by human hands, but the church, the household of the faith.
THE CHURCH IS NOW THE TEMPLE OF GOD
’’ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter to the
most holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new living way opened for us
through the curtain, that is, his body and since we have a great priest over the
house of God.’’ [ Hebrew10:19-21]. We are now as Christians the temple of
God hence we are the body of Christ we are His people and He is our God. All
worship is now Christ centred.
TYPES OF OFFERINGS GIVEN BY BELIEVERS AS A NEW TESTAMENT PRIESTS.
Behavioural offering – Christians or believer should offer our sacrifice to God
through loving relationship within the body of Christ, our willingness to submit
to authorities, our repentance of the weak and our demonstrated desire to
please others rather than ourselves.
Witness offering –we must reach out to the world by preaching the gospel as
we are commissioned to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations.
[ Matthew 28:19-20]
Vocal offerings- we should offer sacrifice of our lips because it is important to
continually offer to God sacrifice for we are to praise God redemption and
renewed fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ. As priests, our offering
includes spiritual songs, psalms, prayer and intercession. [Luke 2:36-38]
Works offering –works are a necessary part salvation, although they are not
redemptive in themselves [ Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14]
CONCLUSION
MAKUBUNG GIVEN A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP 06 MARCH 2018

Old Testament help us to understand New Testament better, it shows us

where the sin started and also reveals to us the redemption plan of God that
came through the seed of a woman and that seed is Jesus Christ.

References: Calvin Pincombe- A biblical theology of worship

: The New International Vision Study Bible