August 18, 2023

“In Spirit and in Truth”

I’m excited to start a new three-week series this coming Sunday on worship. The first message in the series will come from an Old Testament story about Israel’s first king, Jeroboam. Our focal passage for Sunday is 1 Kings 12:26-33.

Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David. ²⁷ When these people go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the Lord, they will again give their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and make him their king instead.” ²⁸ So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. Look, Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” ²⁹ He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan—at either end of his kingdom. ³⁰ But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there. ³¹ Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people—those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi. ³² And Jeroboam instituted a religious festival in Bethel, held on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in imitation of the annual Festival of Shelters in Judah. There at Bethel he himself offered sacrifices to the calves he had made, and he appointed priests for the pagan shrines he had made. ³³ So on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a day that he himself had designated, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar at Bethel. He instituted a religious festival for Israel, and he went up to the altar to burn incense.

Sunday’s message title is “Five Marks of False Worship.” Because we’re all prone to the sins of Jeroboam, it’s important for us to consider what he did so we can better prevent it from ever occurring in our lives. As you prepare for Sunday’s gathering, I hope you’ll personally ponder your own life as a worshipper by considering these five questions.

As a worshipper, do you hide behind religious activity?

As a worshipper, do you prefer convenience over obedience?

As a worshipper, do you prioritize personal benefits?

As a worshipper, do you focus on the wrong object? (God of your own making)

As a worshipper, do you modify God’s instructions?

I hope you plan to be here on Sunday as we gather to worship our Risen King! I also ask you to join me in praying for our worship team as God uses them to call us to worship in spirit and in truth.

With great expectation,

pastor jamie