Lesson Eight

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://ourworld-top.cs.com/rjmcclur/worship_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://ourworld-top.cs.com/rjmcclur/wors"><U><B>Twelve Lessons On Worship</B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><A HREF="bible_study.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson One"><U>Lesson One</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Two"><U>Lesson Two</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Three"><U>Lesson Three</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Four"><U>Lesson Four</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Five"><U>Lesson Five</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Six"><U>Lesson Six</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Seven"><U>Lesson Seven</U></A>   |   <B>Lesson Eight</B>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Nine"><U>Lesson Nine</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Ten"><U>Lesson Ten</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Eleven"><U>Lesson Eleven</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Twelve"><U>Lesson Twelve</U></A>   <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/rjmcclur55/HolySpirit/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.tripod.com/rjmcclur55/Hol"><U><B>Studies On The Holy Spirit</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.png"> <div> <A HREF="http://www.biblestudyoftheweek.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblestudyoftheweek.com"><U><B>Bible Study of The Week Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-97/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="90" height="75">  </div> <bR> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-112/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="136" height="94">  </div> <bR> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-113/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="89" height="100">  </div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>Worship</B></div> <div> <B>VIII. Jesus' Teachings</B></div> <div> <B>And The Apostles' Teachings</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1) In His teachings throughout the gospel, Jesus gave new ideas and rules for worship. What were some of these?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>a) Matt 5:23,24     (f) Matt 23: 1-12</B></div> <div> <B>b) Matt 6:1-18     (g) Mk. 7:14-16</B></div> <div> <B>c) Matt 7:21-23     (h) Mk 12:41-44</B></div> <div> <B>d) Matt 12:1-8     (i) Jn 4:10-24</B></div> <div> <B>e) Matt 12:9-14     (j) Matt 5:21,22; 27,28</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>a)</B></FONT><B> 23</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, </B></FONT><B>24</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> This idea was never taught in the Old Testament Law.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>b)</B></FONT><B> 1</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.</B></FONT><B>2</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. </B></FONT><B>3</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, </B></FONT><B>4</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.</B></FONT><B>5</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. </B></FONT><B>6</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.</B></FONT><B>7</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. </B></FONT><B>8</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. </B></FONT><B>9</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Pray, then, in this way:</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>     `Our Father who is in heaven,</B></div> <div> <B>     Hallowed be Your name.</B></div> <div> <B>     10</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>`Your kingdom come.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>     Your will be done,</B></div> <div> <B>     On earth as it is in heaven.</B></div> <div> <B>     11</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>`Give us this day our daily bread.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>     12</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>`And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors</B></FONT><B>13</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>`And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>14</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>will also forgive you. </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>15</B></FONT><B>“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.</B></div> <div> <B>16</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. </B></FONT><B>17</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face </B></FONT><B>18</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Actually this was not altogether different, as Isa. (ch 1) had condemned hypocritical worship. But the thought of a `secret worship from the heart' was somewhat different.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>(c)</B></FONT><B>     21</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. </B></FONT><B>22</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' </B></FONT><B>23</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Again, this is not altogether different for the same reason. But it teaches that obedience is more than outward acts.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>d) </B></FONT><B>1</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. </B></FONT><B>2</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” </B></FONT><B>3</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, </B></FONT><B>4</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? </B></FONT><B>5</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? </B></FONT><B>6</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. </B></FONT><B>7</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But if you had known what this means, `I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.</B></FONT><B>8</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” This was a new understanding for the Hebrews. They were so ritualistic and legalistic in their understandings that they only saw that which was outside the man, not the inside.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>e)</B></FONT><B> 9</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. </B></FONT><B>10</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”-so that they might accuse Him. </B></FONT><B>11</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? </B></FONT><B>12</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” </B></FONT><B>13</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Then He said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. </B></FONT><B>14</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. Again, this is the same__ they thought tht legalistic obedience to the Law (of the Sabbath) was more important than one another!</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>f)</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>1</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, </B></FONT><B>2</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; </B></FONT><B>3</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. </B></FONT><B>4</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. </B></FONT><B>5</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their </B></FONT><B>?</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. </B></FONT><B>6</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, </B></FONT><B>7</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. </B></FONT><B>8</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. </B></FONT><B>9</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. </B></FONT><B>10</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. </B></FONT><B>11</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. </B></FONT><B>12</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. This was not easily accepted by the hearers; for they exalted themselves and one another according to the position that they held or the deeds they performed. They sought the role of `prestigious positions' as greatness. Remember that this was even difficult for the disciples to apprehend (Luke 22:24-27)</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>g) </B></FONT><B>14</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: </B></FONT><B>15</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. </B></FONT><B>16</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>[“</B></FONT><B>?</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”] Once more, the Jews (especially the leaders) thought that outward acts of obedience were essentially all there was. They were concerned more about the disciples eating bread with hands that were not ceremonially cleansed more so than their hearts! But here Jesus teaches them that true obedience or disobedience comes from the heart.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>h ) </B></FONT><B>41</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. </B></FONT><B>42</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. </B></FONT><B>43</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; </B></FONT><B>44</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” This sure would have gone over well with the Jews. These two coins were nothing in comparison to what the rich put it! But Jesus, remember, could see her heart (Matt 9:4) and knew that she was unselfish and compassionate.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>i) </B></FONT><B>10</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, `Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” </B></FONT><B>11</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>She said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? </B></FONT><B>12</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” </B></FONT><B>13</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; </B></FONT><B>14</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”</B></FONT><B>15</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>The woman said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” </B></FONT><B>16</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>He said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” </B></FONT><B>17</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to her, “You have correctly said, `I have no husband'; </B></FONT><B>18</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” </B></FONT><B>19</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>The woman said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. </B></FONT><B>20</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” </B></FONT><B>21</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Jesus said</B></FONT><B>*</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. </B></FONT><B>22</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. </B></FONT><B>23</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. </B></FONT><B>24</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jesus, speaking to the woman teachers that the time will come when God's people will not need to go to Jerusalem, or on a mountain, to worship. The Jews had always been commanded to worship in Jerusalem (the feasts). But Jesus is teaching that worship will come from within and be accepted by God in that way, “in spirit and truth' not because of ritualistic acts.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>j) </B></FONT><B>21</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“You have heard that the ancients were told, `You shall not commit murder' and `Whoever commits murder shall be </B></FONT><B>?</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>liable to the court.' </B></FONT><B>22</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, `</B></FONT><B>?</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before </B></FONT><B>?</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>the supreme court; and whoever says, `You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the </B></FONT><B>?</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>fiery hell. </B></FONT><B>27</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>“You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery'; </B></FONT><B>28</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Jesus teaches here, not about murder or adultery, but about the sin of an evil heart. For one to worship or obey God he must be obedient from the heart. His fulfillment in this is asking God to send the Helper (Jn 14:16, Gal 5:22,23).</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>If we find it necessary to draw a conclusion from these Scriptures, it would be simply and best answered in `(J)'. God does not want `mere outward acts' of obedience, but acts coming from a desire within. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Remember 1 Cor. 13:1? He doesn't expect us to do things because we are forced to (the Israelites were forced to obey), but by choice (Js. 1:25).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2) Remember what Jesus had said in Jn. 4? Now turn to Isaiah 2:1-4 and compare</B></div> <div> <B>                          </B></div> <div> <B> (Jn. 4) “an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem (v. 21) shall you worship the Father.” </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(Isa. 2) “The mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains.” (v.2)</B></div> <div> <B>Both Isaiah and Jesus speak of worshipping God in reference to mountains. Jesus  Is telling the woman that no longer will she need to go up on a mountain to  Worship God, when the time comes. Isaiah is telling the people that God will establish His mountain above all others. The Jews and the Samaritans often tied  worship and mountains together. Remember in their idolatry that they built their  altars on the `high places'? The mountain that Isaiah speaks about is the church.  The church is also the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy concerning worship!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Jesus                                     Isaiah</B></div> <div> <B>“Those who worship Him        “That He may teach us  </B></div> <div> <B>must worship in spirit and         concerning His ways…” (v.3)</B></div> <div> <B>     truth.” (v.24)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Again, both speak of the church. Worship of God must be from the heart (spirit) and according to God's will (truth); just as Isaiah had also prophesied that God would teach His ways in the church so that His people could live and worship according to His truth!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Notice that Isaiah points out many characteristics of the church: “all nations will stream to it,” “that we may walk in His paths,” “the law shall go forth from Zion,” “the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem,” “Nation will not lift up sword against nation,” “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Aren't each of the statements to be true of the church? “People of all nations will come seeking God,” “We should walk according to His ways”, “The `law' (teaching of God) should go forth from the church”, “The Word originally went forth from Jerusalem”, “The church is a peaceful kingdom”, “All are invited to come and walk in God's light”. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3) Upon the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:8) and Peter preached the first gospel sermon (Acts 2:22f) which Jesus had prophesied (Matt. 16:19), and the church was established. Notice in Acts 2:42, the practice of the first Christians.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We've discussed this verse a thousand times in the New Testament Church; and now we're going to discuss it again. “And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teachings and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I feel the necessity of saying something about fellowship (We will discuss the other three in detail later.) in relationship to worship. Heb. 10:19ff tells us that `one another' should come together for encouragement. The early Christians did these things `together' for that purpose. Strength comes from one another and the things that we do together.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>4) The apostles, through Jesus' teaching and the Holy Spirit's revelation (Jn. 16:13) instituted New Testament worship. First, let's look at what made this possible. Read Heb. 10: 1-18, 19-22; 9:11-15; 8:6; 12:22-24; 9:1-7. Make a list of what Jesus has done to make our covenant better.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Heb. 8:6 “more excellent ministry” “a better covenant” “better promises” This verse certainly tells us that we have a better covenant. Why? Because Jesus is </B><B><U>our Mediator</U></B><B>! He </B><B><U>speaks to the Father on our behalf</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Heb. 9:1-7 This passage tells us that the first covenant had “divine regulations of worship”, and goes on to tell us of the items in the tabernacle. Verse 7 tells us that into the second (Holy of Holies) the </B><B><U>high priest</U></B><B> entered to make sacrifices. But then let's look at he next passage.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Heb 9:11-15 Christ entered the perfect tabernacle of heaven as our </B><B><U>high priest</U></B><B>, not to </B><B><U>atone</U></B><B> for our sins once a year, but </B><B><U>on a continuous basis</U></B><B> (1Jn. 1:6-10) through His own blood He made “</B><B><U>eternal redemption”</U></B><B> available to all who would accept it on His terms.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Heb 10:1-22 Under the Old Covenant the Hebrews had only a yearly reminder of their guilt before God, but no “cleansing” from their sins. Verse 10 tells us that Jesus was </B><B><U>“offered once for all”</U></B><B> not so that we can be constantly reminded of our guilt, but so that we can be </B><B><U>constantly forgiven</U></B><B> as we maintain a repentant heart before God. Then Jesus sat at “</B><B><U>the right hand of God”</U></B><B> to </B><B><U>intercede on our behalf</U></B><B>, for Jesus </B><B><U>understands our temptations and weaknesses </U></B><B> (Heb 4:15).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Heb 12:22-24 Again speaks of Jesus as “the </B><B><U>Mediator of a better covenant</U></B><B>” and of </B><B><U>His precious blood shed</U></B><B> for all. Jesus is Him who we come to through and with the church!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>5) Remember the tabernacle and its contents (Heb 9:1-7; Ex 40:1-7)? Compare and contrast to the New Testament worship. (This is called type-antitype.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(A) Brazen Altar:   </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Sacrifices offered constantly</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Jesus was offered once (Heb 10:10)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(B) Brazen Laver:</B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Ceremonial Cleansing</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     All Christians are cleansed through Baptism (1 Peter 3:21)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(C) Court:               </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Where the Israelites must wait</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Perhaps the world. For only those who have</B></div> <div> <B>                        not accepted God's grace cannot enter the tabernacle.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(D) Tabernacle:          </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Represented God's house of worship.</B></div> <div> <B>                        Where God's presence is found!</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Today God may be worshipped anywhere.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(E) First Veil:          </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Entrance to Holy Place</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Perhaps Jesus as the way we enter the church?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(F) Holy Place:          </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Where the priests ministered to the Lord </B></div> <div> <B>                        and were reminded of His presence.</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     The church. Where we are reminded of </B></div> <div> <B>                        the Lord's will and presence.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(G) Candlestick:          </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     The only light in the Holy Place</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Perhaps the Truth (Word), or the Holy Spirit. This is our light!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(H) Table of Shewbread:</B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Bread kept there to remind the priests of God's presence.</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Lord's Supper: We are reminded of Jesus, God's gift.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(I) Altar of Incense:     </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Aroma offered to God</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     We now offer prayer to God</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(J) Second Veil:     </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     The only way that the high priest </B></div> <div> <B>                        could enter the Holy of Holies</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Jesus' death and blood through which </B></div> <div> <B>                        He entered heaven and we also have hope to enter.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(K) Holy of Holies:     </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Where God appeared to the high priest</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Heaven: Where God and our high priest are now!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(L) Ark of the Covenant:     </B></div> <div> <B>       OT     Contained items which brought to remembrance </B></div> <div> <B>                        God's truth and will.</B></div> <div> <B>       NT     Perhaps the Word of God?</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>6) Compare New Testament worship with: Old Testament priesthood? Old Testament sacrifices and offerings? The Old Testament feasts?</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Old Testament Feasts: These were observed in remembrance and thanksgiving of God's deliverance, their sin, and God's constant supplying of needs.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Today, the Word tells us of God's deliverance, leads us to repentance of sin, and reminds us that God is our Perfect Provider. (So does fellowship!)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Old Testament Sacrifices and Offerings: These were to bring to remembrance guilt before God. Offered constantly.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Today, there are </B><B><U>NO</U></B><B> sacrifices or offerings of this nature. The closest thing that we have to this today is a humble penitent heart. (Money `offerings' are in no way to be compared with these.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Old Testament Priesthood: The Levites (Aaron's sons) were the priests and Aaron was the high priest. The priests could offer any and every sacrifices to God with the exception of going before God to intercede for others.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Today, we (Christians) are priests (1Peter 2:5), and we also can serve and worship God (His way) in every capacity except that we cannot enter the Holy of Holies to intercede for sin. Jesus is our high priest, He has entered and intercedes!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Priests must come before God `cleansed' `reverent'.</B></div> <div> <B>*So must we!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Priests were clothed in pure, holy garments.</B></div> <div> <B>*So are we! We are clothed with the Spirit!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Priests were to be completely flawless.</B></div> <div> <B>*We are flawless through the cleansing blood of Jesus!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Priests were responsible for the souls of those who would obey.</B></div> <div> <B>*We are responsible for the souls of those who “would” obey.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Priests children (sons) were to succeed them.</B></div> <div> <B>*Our children should be instructed to follow our example as Christians.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Priests were separate from the nation of people.</B></div> <div> <B>*We are not to be “of the world” even though we are “in the world”. </B></div> <div> <B>(1Jn. 2:15, 1Cor 5:10)</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/rjmcclur55/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.tripod.com/rjmcclur55/"><U>Bible Study of The Week</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="bible_study.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson One"><U><B>Lesson One</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Two"><U><B>Lesson Two</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Three"><U><B>Lesson Three</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Four"><U><B>Lesson Four</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Five"><U><B>Lesson Five</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Six"><U><B>Lesson Six</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Seven"><U><B>Lesson Seven</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Lesson Eight</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Nine"><U><B>Lesson Nine</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Ten"><U><B>Lesson Ten</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Eleven"><U><B>Lesson Eleven</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Twelve"><U><B>Lesson Twelve</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>