Some principles to help us enter the presence of God in a way that is pleasing to him.
There is a protocol in place for greeting the King of Kings…
Text: 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (Dedication of Solomon’s Temple)
All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. 12 All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. 13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.
Six principles that make up God’s worship protocol:
1. Consecration (11)
All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions.
Consecration is about being dedicated to some purpose or cause.
As Christians, consecration is devoting ourselves – everything we are and everything we have – for the purpose of loving God. It’s consecrated to the master as an act of worship.
Consecration is a personal choice and without distinction…
All the priests consecrated themselves regardless of their divisions.
No one forced them.
No one restricted them.
And this is so important in God’s worship protocol.
Bayside Church’s Inclusion statement
At Bayside Church, we believe that every person is created in God’s image. All are equally worthy of respect, dignity, and love, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ability, race, or ethnicity.
Everyone is invited, welcomed, and supported to grow in their relationship with God and each other. Everyone is encouraged to use their gifts and abilities to serve God and others.
At Bayside Church, we are committed to creating a safe space for all – we do this through clear policies and pathways so that everyone can feel safe and nurtured.
At Bayside Church, we courageously love and empower people to become like Jesus.
That’s a statement of consecration.
No one is forced and no one is restricted.
God doesn’t control people and neither do we!
God doesn’t exclude people and neither do we!
1 Peter 2:5, “…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Rev 1:5-6, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father — to him be glory and power for ever and ever!”
2. Posture (12)
“All the Levites…stood”
People stand for an important person such as a monarch! How much more should we stand for the King of kings?
If you are able to
Revelation 7:9-17, After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honour
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”
Posture is important in God’s worship protocol.
3. Righteousness (12)
“All the priests [were] dressed in fine linen”
Rev 19:8, “Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.”
Pure linen is used symbolically in Scripture for purity and righteous acts. True worship is to come into God’s presence “clothed” with the good things we have done in Jesus’ name.
4. Musicians and Singers (12)
“All the…musicians — Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives…playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord.”
5. Unity (13)
“The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord.”
There was no competition, trying to be heard above the others, whether singer or musician. There were no ego trips, and no showing off of skill or ability. They had ceased to be individuals and were united as one in their praise to God.
Psalm 133
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
6. Affirming God’s Goodness (13)
“They raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.”
You won’t worship God freely if you think he’s to blame for bad things in your life or in the world.
“God gets blamed for the bad, and lucky is praised for the good” – Jerry Cook
The Bible provides a revelation of a God who is good and who never changes!
Ps 145:9, “The Lord is good to all.”
James 1:16-17, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
The Result (14)
The result of following God’s great worship protocol ~ amazing things happen…
“Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.”
In the New Testament the church, people are the temple of God.
As we worship God freely in a way that is pleasing to him, we too will be filled with his glory, and glorify him in the world in which we live.
Discussion Questions
Discuss: “Consecration is a personal choice and without distinction. No one is forced and no one is restricted.”
God doesn’t control people and neither do we!
God doesn’t exclude people and neither do we!
What does this look like in a church community?
Share practical examples that come to mind.Read 1 Peter 2:5 and Rev 1:5-6. What does it mean to you that you are a priest to God?
As well as a priest you are also a saint: “Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.” (Rev 19:8). What good deeds do you bring to God as an act of worship.
Bayside Church’s worship team comprises skilled people who give their time voluntarily to lead us in worship to God. Consider sending a message of encouragement to one or more members of the worship team, thanking them for their sacrificial service.
Read Psalm 133 and John 17:21. Discuss the importance of unity in any community (church, workplace, family, school). What causes unity / disunity?
Discuss: “You won’t worship God freely if you think he’s to blame for bad things in your life or in the world.” (consider Ps 145:9; James 1:16-17; Exodus 34:6-7; Matt 5:45; Matt 7:9-11; Romans 2:4; 8:28, Gen 50:20).
In the New Testament, people (individually and collectively) are the temple of God. Read and discuss 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph. 2:21. What are the blessings and responsibilities of being God’s temple?