Preparing for the Lord's Day
Rebuilding the Kingdom
What is the number one priority in your life? We have all heard the illustration of the professor who challenged his students to fit a pile of rocks, pebbles, sand, and water into a jar. It seemed that all these items could not possibly fit. However, once they were put into the jar in the correct order everything fit. The first thing that needed to be added was the largest rock. Next the pebbles, then the sand, and finally the water. The point is that the most important things in life need to come first, or they will never fit into your busy schedule. Those things that are the most foundational must have priority.
In our passage for this Sunday, we see that for God’s people Biblical Worship must be the priority. As the Kingdom is being rebuilt, Biblical Worship must be the foundation. The people of God have just returned from exile in Babylon. They have only been in the land for a few weeks, but they gather in Jerusalem to worship the Lord as he has directed his people. While there were many other concerns, worship was their number one priority. And what we will see is that we too must make Biblical Worship our priority. It must be the first thing in our life. Once worship is given its proper place all the other concerns of life will find their proper place as well. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Ezra 3, Exodus 20:3-6, Psalm 100, Jeremiah 31:7-11, Hebrews 9:22, and Westminster Confession of Faith 21.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” the Acclamation of Praise “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” and the Hymn of Response “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives so that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: Ezra 3
Title: The Priority of Biblical Worship
Outline:
- Biblical Worship Renews our Hearts (1-3a)
- Biblical Worship Reforms our Habits (3b-7)
- Biblical Worship Reorients our Longings (8-13)