Worship and Prayer
Hebrews 12:28-29 Hebrews 12:28-29 By Jeff Kingswood
he writer of the letter to the Hebrews compares the experience of the Christian to that of the Israelites at Sinai and the dreadful picture of the giving of the Law. For the Christian we have an experience more wonderful than dreadful for we can look to Jesus Christ on Mount Zion. worship to God.
T Verse 28a Our motive for worship.
The idea of worship is seen by many as antiquated, outdated, even primi- tive, but the Christian understands that the chief motive for worshipping God is gratitude.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” We have so much to be grateful for; family, home, food, job, relationships and on the list goes. However, it is possible to be thankful for all those things and be no better than a pagan. We have Jesus Christ! We have fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ who gave up heavenly privilege to come to earth, taking our gratitude is the motive for our worship. gift, a kingdom that cannot be shaken, the Church of Christ. Human king- doms are fragile and temporary.
On September 11, 2001, the greatest power on earth was shown to be extremely vulnerable. Today we see the nations of the world tremble on the precipice of war, we hear of economies in collapse, and rulers who have given in to corruption. Earthly kingdoms come and go. They are subject to the tribulations of sinful men and women and scandal frequently shakes the
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foundations of governments. But we, who by faith are God’s possession in Jesus Christ, may praise God that we do not believe that politics will save our land or our souls. We do not look to men for our salvation. God’s children have an unshakeable and incorruptible hope and that hope is the Kingdom of God. We are receiving that kingdom. We have an eternal home promised to us that cannot be shaken. Psalm 99 verse 1 says in paraphrase, “Let the earth shake, let people tremble, the Lord reigns.” Psalm 112:6 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.” Over and over again this is the im- age that the Psalmist uses to describe someone whose trust is in the Lord. Remember that famous story told by Jesus of the two men who set out to build homes? One wanted it quick and easy, beach front location, but before you know it a hurricane comes along and his house is shaken,
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Synod Emphasis
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