United Methodist Church of Kent Sermon Podcast

Just as God “dwelled among” the Israelites by means of the tabernacle, so now in a far greater way God dwells among us in Christ (John 1:14). Jesus is the new temple – the point where we experience and connect with God. This does not eliminate the need for church! (contrary to what some would want to think) Rather, Jesus is at the center of the worship of the gathered community of faith. Centering on Jesus moves us past human divisions in worship and enables us to “worship in spirit and in truth,” as Jesus said to the woman in John 4.

The first place Jesus goes (taken by his parents) after his birth is to church! They go to the temple to fulfill the sacrificial requirements of the Old Testament law. There they are met by Simeon and Anna, who have been in the temple awaiting what God would do. It is in the context of worship that God reveals Jesus’ destiny (declared in the blessing of Simeon). The next story Luke reports is the story of the boy Jesus going again to the temple for Passover, where he astonishes the scribes. Today we rightfully bring children to church, and with Simeon and Anna we can discern how God is at work through Christ.

God dominates our lives like a majestic mountain. As we are drawn to the mountain, we are even more drawn to God. It is this God who sends us Jesus Christ, the ultimate source for peace within, as well as amongst us.

Thanksgiving! Psalm 100 says to “enter God’s gates with thanksgiving,” and numerous Psalms are an expression of thanks to God. Psalm 65 is a thanksgiving psalm, depicting the joy of coming into God’s temple with an appreciation for God’s blessings. Colossians likewise urges us to “be thankful.” Thankfulness makes us aware of our blessings, but most of all raises our hearts to the Source of blessing. Authentic worship is always marked with a spirit of thankfulness.

Psalm 100 says to come into God’s presence with singing. Biblical worship has always included song. Music in worship is not for entertainment, but is a profound form of expressing our praise and glorifying God. Significantly, the book of Revelation repeatedly depicts scenes of heavenly beings singing before God’s throne. We are invited to join in the eternal song.

Water in the Bible is a symbol for cleansing and purification. It was used in this way in the Old Testament tabernacle/temple, and again was instituted by Jesus as a profound symbol of salvation in the sacrament of Baptism. It is also a symbol of life. Water in worship reminds us of how God cleanses and restores us, and brings us into life.

The book of Hebrews says that Biblical people of faith saw themselves as temporary sojourners on earth, and were looking forward to “a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” As we join in worship, we always look with expectant hope toward what God will do, and we trust in our everlasting future with all the saints.

In the building of the tabernacle, as described in Exodus, the people offered their very best—their best talent, and their best materials. So much that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing offerings! In worship we are inspired to bring God our best. This does not mean that we bring to God “the best” but “our best.” In the community of faith God uses people who may be far less than perfect; but our ordinary gifts become part of an extraordinary purpose as we devote ourselves, and what we have, to God.

The vision of Ezekiel (as well as the passage from Job) shows that God is beyond our comprehension and beyond words. Worship helps us to embrace the mystery of God, to be receptive to a deep level of Reality that is beyond our understanding. We often want to have everything figured out and everything under control, but we need to “make room for mystery” in our encounter with God.

People throughout the ages have sensed that they should bring offerings to God. We are moved through worship to honestly give, and to do so generously, with sincere hearts.