Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Chosen To Worship

Part 4 of Hopewell series on “Who Are We?”

January 21, 2007

For the past few weeks we have been focusing on different aspects of 2 questions that are important for us as individual Christians – and as a Church.

The first is:

Who are we?

Who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

Who are we?

And the second being:

What are we supposed to be doing?

What are we supposed to be doing as Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?

Who are we?

What are we supposed to be doing?

Who are we as individual Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?

We continue this looking at answers to these questions today.

We’ve already noted that we can’t attempt to truly answer these questions by giving our opinions of who we are as Christians – or who we are as a Church –

or what we should be doing as Christians – or what we should be doing as a Church.

It’s not really our opinions that matter here – what matters is what God calls us to be – and what God calls us to be doing.

We have to start – not within ourselves – but with God.

So – here are the important questions for us to consider —

What does God think of us?

What does God call us to be – as individuals and as a Church?

To really find answers to these questions we have to look to God – to God’s word – and see what God’s idea is.

We’ve been using the passage in 1 Peter 2:9 as a “springboard” — so to speak — to look at various aspects of who we are as God’s people – and how we can be the Christians – the people – and the Church God has called us to be.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

As we have looked at this passage, we have seen that it gives us an answer to the questions:

Who are we?

and

What are we supposed to be doing?

We are the glorious people of God – Peter writes —

chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

We are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

That’s who we are – and what we are to be doing.

But – what does that mean?

It’s the specifics of what that might mean that we’ve been considering for the past few weeks and will continue to consider for a few weeks to come. We’re looking at different aspects of what it might mean that we are the glorious people of God – different aspects of what it might mean that we are chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What does it means that we are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

So far we have:

Looked at the first chapter of John – and seen that it means that we are chosen to walk in the light of God – the light of Christ – instead of the darkness of sin.

Looked at Luke’s version of the Baptism of Jesus – and seen that it means that we are chosen for ministry.

And looked at John 2:1-11 – the story of the miracle at the Cana wedding feast – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be the best.

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Chosen for ministry

Chosen to be the best.

Three things that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — can mean for us.

Today we’re going to look at an important event in the history of the people of Israel – Ezra’s reading of the Law – the Torah – and the people’s response to it – as it was placed back in the rebuilt Temple after the Babylonian Captivity. As we look at this passage we will see that we are chosen to worship God.

Chosen to worship.

Listen to God’s word in Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

We have come to worship.

For some this phrase might conjure up images of boring services with long prayers and much longer sermons – long winded preachers droning on and on –

talking so much that you wonder if there will ever be an end to it –

talking so long that you just might forget what exactly it was they were supposed to be talking about.

You’ve heard the jokes about the length and boring atmosphere of some worship services —

Like the one about the little boy who was visiting – and went to Church with – his grandparents.

It so happened his grandparents church had plaques memorializing members who had been killed serving in the Armed Forces.

The boy was intrigued by the plaques – and asked his grandfather about them.

“Well, son, they are to honor members who have died in the service”

“Oh”

the youngster responded – then innocently asked:

“Was it the 8:30 or the 11:00 service? ”

Or the one you probably remember that I told back in October about Gladys Dunn – the lady who was looking for a Church to attend — visited one – and found it very beautiful and everything about it very meaningful – except for the fact that the preacher preached far too long and the sermon was dry and not meaningful at all. When he finally said “Amen” – he encouraged everyone to greet their neighbor. Seeing an elderly gentleman beside her who was trying to wake up after sleeping through the sermon, she stuck out her hand and said:

“Hello – I’m Gladys Dunn.”

The man replied “Me too, lady.”

Or the one that one of my New Testament professors at Seminary loved. He loved to point out that in the Last Supper narrative from the Gospel of John Jesus says at the end of chapter 14:

“Rise – we must be going” –

which my professor pointed out was a way of saying

“and in conclusion” –

then proceeds to talk through chapters 15, 16, and 17 before they finally leave.

My professor loved to say that this was proof that Jesus was a Baptist preacher.

Worship and preachers sometimes get a bad rap – - but sometimes times with good reason.

We have come to worship.

For others this phrase might conjure up images of praise songs and clapping and shouting and hands raised in praise of God.

While this is a legitimate style of worship for some – and I believe we all can learn from and benefit from more excitement and enthusiasm and praise in our worship – this style is not for everybody.

I will always remember a case I experienced for the point that this style is not for everybody.

The Reverend Joan Campbell was the Moderator of the General Assembly – the highest position within our denomination – in 1980. I happened to be at Columbia Seminary taking D. Min. classes when she made one of her visits to the Seminary. She spoke at a worship service – and I attended. Rev. Campbell is an African American – and her style of worship was much more expressive than many of us – particularly the Professors at Columbia – were accustomed to. During the first hymn, she raised her hands in praise – and called on everyone else to do so, also. Well – when the Moderator gives a call – you pretty much have to comply. Everyone began raising their hands – some just slightly – but the funniest sight that sent giggles throughout the Chapel was Dr. Shirley Guthrie – one of the leading theologians of our denomination – who had studied under Karl Barth – one of the leading theologians ever – standing on the front row – obviously uncomfortable with this style of worship — with both his arms thrust over his head as if Rev. Campbell had said

“Stick ‘em up ”

instead of “Raise your hands in praise to God.”

The expressive style of worship is good – and we all could use a little more praise and expression in our worship – but it is certainly not for everybody.

We have come to worship.

You know — the boring and “dead” style of worship – the style that will leave the congregation thinking – if not saying – “I’m glad – it’s – done” — is on one extreme on the spectrum of worship experiences – and the hand raising in praise is on the other. There indeed is a lot in between. A lot of styles and attitudes –and for many – if not most people – worship is a time for praising God in whatever way you do that – learning from God – bringing prayers and offerings to God – fellowshipping with God’s people – and leaving refreshed and ready to serve God in the world.

Worship is vital for us as Christians. So vital that I believe that one of the things that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – means is that we are chosen to worship.

Chosen to worship.

But – what does worship mean?

What does it mean that we are chosen to worship?

What does worship mean for us?

What does worship mean – for you?

Why is worship important?

Why bother on a perfectly good Sunday to get up – get dressed – and come to worship?

What’s the big deal?

Well – the big deal is that we – as God’s people – were created to be in relationship with God and others.

We were created for worship.

Created to live lives in relationship with God –

Lives of worship to worship –

Lives of praise to God.

We are chosen to live our lives in relationship with God – in praise to God – and in worship of God.

As we look at who God is calling us to be as individual Christians and as a Church — and what God might be calling us to be doing as individual Christians and as a Church – as we look at what 1 Peter 2:9:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

might mean to us –

what it might mean that we are

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

We have seen how it means that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ – chosen for ministry – and chosen to be the best.

It also means that we are chosen to worship.

We are individuals who are chosen to worship.

We are a Church that is chosen to worship.

Chosen to worship.

God has chosen us to worship Him.

Worship is to be the key point in our lives

Worship is to be the key point in our week

Worship is to be the point from which we draw strength from God and from each other so we can live the lives God calls us to live and do the things God calls us to do.

Our passage from the 8th chapter of Nehemiah gives us an idea of the power of worship – and the necessity of it.

Let me set the scene for you a bit.

The Hebrews – who had been in captivity in Babylon for over 60 years – had finally been allowed to return to the Promised Land.

Well – that was indeed great – except for the fact that when they returned they found their fathers and grandfathers homes and farms destroyed – the land that had been so plentiful in wheat and grapes and so many other crops barren – the buildings that had not been destroyed by the Babylonians falling apart – and the Temple – the great Temple planned by David and built by Solomon as the place for Worship – in ruins.

Well, under the direction of Ezra, the priest, and Nehemiah, the governor, the people rebuild their ancestral homes – re-till and replant the fields — and rebuild the Temple.

When the Temple is completed, Ezra and Nehemiah call for all the people to come and worship. For over 80 years at this point there had been no Temple – but now there was one again – and Ezra and Nehemiah called the people to come and worship God.

The law – the Torah – the first 5 books of what we now know as the Old Testament – are read.

The people are reminded of who they are as God’s people and what God has called them to be doing as His people.

Although they were saddened by how they had not lived in the ways God had called them to live, Nehemiah reminded them of God’s forgiveness – and the people leave refreshed – renewed – recommitted and strengthened for living in God’s ways.

Worship was the time when they could find strength from each other and from God for the arduous tasks of rebuilding and reclaiming their land that lay ahead of hem.

We are chosen to worship.

We are chosen to worship.

Like the Hebrews returning from Babylon, we need worship.

However we do it – however we choose to worship – whatever style fits our needs and speaks to our souls – we are chosen to worship – and we need worship.

Worship brings us together before God.

Worship brings us together with each other.

Worship is when we can truly open up to God – and realize that God truly opening up to us.

Part of what being the glorious people of God – chosen to show the world the glories of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – means is that we are chosen to worship.

As we worship, we experience God in new ways.

As we worship, we are reminded again of who we are – a realization the Hebrews returning from Babylon wept over – but we are also reminded of whose we are – children of a loving, forgiving, strengthening God – chosen to walk in His light – chosen for His ministry – chosen to be the best and use the gifts He has given us in the best way we can – chosen to worship Him.

The entire service we have when we gather together is worship.

Our prayers – both corporate and private – our reading of scripture – our songs – our listening to God’s word explained – is all worship.

We are chosen to worship.

But - – why do we gather here to worship?

I have heard some say they can worship just as easily on the golf course – or in admiring the beauty of nature – or at home.

Why do we need to “go to Church” to worship?

It’s because we need the corporate nature of worship.

We need to gather together.

We need to worship together.

When you fail to make the “worship gathering” – when you fail to come to Church – you are cheating yourself – because you are not taking part in that important aspect of the Christian life that is corporate worship. In fact, you are cheating everybody else – all of us who are gathered here for worship – because we are missing your important contribution to our corporate worship.

We are chosen to worship.

We need to gather together.

We need to worship together.

We need each person’s contribution to our corporate worship – and each person needs the strength God gives us as we worship together.

We need the contribution that each of you bring to worship.

You need the strength God gives you as we worship together.

We are chosen to worship

But – I would suggest that – as important as coming together to worship is – it is not the only aspect of worship.

We can worship God every day.

We should worship God every day.

In fact – I’m going to say – we must worship God every day.

The services we have here in this building are important and vital because it is in these we come together to worship and be strengthened by God and each other.

But – every day – can be a day for worship.

Every day we can see how God has blessed us – and rejoice.

Every day we can be aware of God’s love – and rejoice.

Worship can be a part of our lives.

Every day we can celebrate and live out the blessed fact that we are chosen to worship.

Worship can be a part of our being.

Worship can be something that can be so vital to us that every day we give praise to God and serve God.

Isn’t that what being chosen to worship is all about?

Worship – giving praise to God and serving God – can truly be a part of our lives.

Every day can be a day for you to worship.

Every day you can see how God has blessed you – and rejoice.

Every day you can be aware of God’s love – and rejoice.

We are indeed chosen to worship.

You are indeed chosen to worship.

Chris Tomlin is a musician and writer to some of the best contemporary Christian music. Listen to how he takes the idea that we are chosen to worship one step further in his song “Made To Worship” –

All we are
And all we have
Is all a gift from God that we receive
Brought to life
We open up our eyes
To see the majesty and glory of the King

He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember

You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
When you and I embrace surrender
When you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see who we were meant to be

Every day can be a day for you to worship.

Every day you can see how God has blessed you – and rejoice.

Every day you can be aware of God’s love – and rejoice.

Every day you can be filled with the wonder of God’s love.

You are made to worship.

You are chosen by God – to worship.

Listen again to the words of 1 Peter 2:9:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

Who are we as individual Christians – and as a Church?

What are to be doing – as individual Christians – and as a Church?

We are the glorious people of God – chosen to show the world the glories of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This means we are:

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

This means that we are:

Chosen for ministry

This means that we are:

Chosen to be the best – and use the gifts God has given us in the best way we can.

This means that we are:

Chosen to worship.

Strive to praise and worship God in all you do

Strive to live to serve God in all you do

Strive to worship God in all we do.

Every day – in every way –live to worship God – because you are

Chosen to worship

Chosen to worship

Amen