The Reformation Of Worship12 [2 Chr 29:20-36] / Anne's Faith Column

 

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The Reformation

of Worship12

[2 Chr 29:20-36]

/ Anne's Faith Column

 

 

/ By Pastor Priscilla

 

 

King Hezekiah's reformation

was done so quickly,

but prepared for

God's people.

 

 

There was a big change

in posture for sacrifices,

praise, and offerings.

 

 

Without taking the

old practice of

corrupt worship

 

 

and unbelief that

had been passed down

from generation

to generation,

 

 

Hezekiah had the

entire temple of

the LORD pueified

 

 

and all religious

rituals renewed.

 

 

His remarkable leadership

and determination

are truly worthy

of an example.

 

 

In worshiping God,

he led 'the change

of the whole

 

 

congregation' to bring

sacrifices and thank

offerings to the

temple of the LORD.

 

 

His deeds

really pleased God,

and he made amazing

changes for each

individual as well.

 

 

Faith must be

followed by deeds. 

 

 

In the circumstances

of our lives, faith

without deeds is

indeed dead.

 

 

Therefore this amazing

reformation of

King Hezekiah

 

 

could never have been

achieved without

God's help

 

 

and work. Also,

this remarkable change

no one else had tried

before became a big

turning point

 

 

and new momentum

to restore the spiritual

condition

 

 

and faith of Hezekiah

 himself and all people.

 

 

Today's important

 'key point' is that the

big change caused by

this reformation was

to offer a sacrifice

 

 

to God with a

willing spirit, not

any selfishness

or purpose.

 

 

There were offerings

overflowing too hard

to deal with,

 

 

but we can imagine

how gracious their

worship was!

 

 

It is of great

significance not to

give a compulsory

offering but to give

  it voluntarily.

 

 

There are times

when the problems

we face look unbearable

and difficult as we live.

 

 

In this situation,

It may be a burden

that we are forced

to be tied up with

work concerning

church.

 

 

when someone asks us

for service or sacrifice,

we may be in religious

trouble if we can't

afford it.

 

 

Therefore,

the life of faith is not

forced, but the willing

spirit comes first

 

 

because the church

is where we can 

 establish a close

fellowship with God

 

 

and we can restore

the relationship with God.

 

 

Also, it should be a

powerful place that

brings spiritually dead

souls back through worship.

 

 

Like the time of

Hezekiah's reformation,

in order to be an

ideal church

 

 

and have a solid faith,

what should we do?

 

 

1. We must follow

the example of Christ

who is the head

of the church,

 

 

as a member in Christ.

On the basis of faith

to deny ourselves

 

 

and follow Jesus,

we should live a life

of 'living sacrifice'

 

 

that we can give

ourselves to save others.

 

 

2. We should be

  born again.

 

 

Counting on

 the Holy Spirit,

it shoud be

done first.

 

 

In order to be born again,

we should ask the LORD

to help us to be filled

with the Holy Spirit

all the time.

 

 

3. Spiritual reformation

and renewal are

needed in the church.

 

 

We should abandon

the old way and pray

for a new work of

the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

In addition, we must

guard against secularization

of the church by blocking

the secular factors that

permeate the church.

 

 

4. When we worship God,

we should ask the Holy Spirit

so that we can become

fully willing spirits.

 

 

Therefore

in worshipping God,

with a grateful heart,

we should offer a holy

living sacrifice to God.

 

 

And we should be

circumcised through

repentance by

 the Holy Spirit.

 

 

In other words,

we should offer a life

changed by being

born again

 

 

and 'spiritual

praise' to the Lord

with all our heart.

 

 

Prayer

 

 

Lord! 

 

 

When we go

 out before you, 

 

 

we want to sacrifice

thank offerings to you.

 

 

So please change us

to work hard for the

real reformation

of worship.

 

 

But we can't do it

with all our strength

and ability.

 

 

Please allow us to get

a true change in the

Spirit of the Lord! 

 

 

Amen

 

 

30/03/2009

 

 

/By Priscilla