Every Worship Event Must Have--Part 1

3,998. That’s the number of bulls, rams, lambs, and goats offered in 2 Chronicles 29. The animals were butchered. As the blood poured out it was collected in bowls and drizzled on the altar. Blood and gore everywhere.

The people placed their hands on the goats before the slaughter. In this way the people said, God we are sorry for what we’ve done. Accept this sacrifice, forgive our sins, cleanse our lives. One event, almost 4,000 animals killed. There were so many, the job overwhelmed the priests and they brought in family members to help. Bizarre as it seems to us now, there are parallels.

Blood and Cleansing are indispensible to Worship. Without blood and cleansing, all you have left is entertainment or ritual. That’s because God still requires a blood sacrifice. What changed is that he provided it for us, once and for all, with Jesus. He was slaughtered, poured out his blood, and for those who trust in him, our sins are washed away. The Bible says that sacrifice of Jesus makes us holy once for all. Take out the cross, and all we have left is a community event, a concert, or lodge meeting, or a pep rally. But through the blood of Christ we enjoy all the blessings of God.

And we have to come clean too. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. Worship gives us the reminder that the dirt that comes into our lives can only be dealt with through him. Any worship event is a big waste if we don’t use this time to confess the junk that is interrupting our connection with God. If we just look forward to some good music or to fellowship with some friends or hearing something that inspires us, then we will not have worshipped. We’ve got to experience cleansing. “Dear God, I fell short of your glory this week. I was angry and said things I shouldn’t have when I didn’t get my way.” “Lord, I’ve given time and attention to everyone but you this week.” Whatever the garbage is, confess it to God and know his forgiveness.

I don’t get to visit many churches. For the few I do, I am amazed at what I’ve witnessed. In one great service at a mega-church, there was not a single song that mentioned the name of Christ. At a small church, I heard the condemnation of abortion and the need for Christians to take a stand. There was no mention of the blood and cleansing that makes worship possible.

Hopefully those are anomalies. No matter what style of worship you appreciate, no matter which church you attend, without recognizing your need of the blood of Jesus and the need for personal cleansing, there is no worship.