Introduction: 1. After the temple was cleansed, Hezekiah began to use it for worship a. The very next day after being informed that the temple was ready, he “rose early” (vs 20) to get the worship started b. This haste showed that Hezekiah did not order the cleansing of the temple just to have a pretty religious decoration, but to use it 2. New Bibles should be read and not just put on the coffee table 3. Since he has been king, Hezekiah has used his power and authority to improve the spiritual condition of Judah a. Many rulers use their position to improve their own advantages b. Let’s use all we can to advance the cause of Christ
I. The Atonement in the Services
o The very first act of worship was to make an atonement for sin
A. Purpose of the Atonement 24 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded [that] the burnt offering and the sin offering [should be made] for all Israel. 1. The purpose of this atonement was to bring reconciliation between God and man 2. Sin causes us to be away from God a) Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. b) Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 3. An atonement brings us back together again with God 4. Atonement does this by covering the sins of man 5. Covering our sins protects us from Divine judgment 6. Atonement here is the same word translated “pitch” in Gen 6:14 7. The pitch which covered the ark kept those in the ark from Divine judgment (the flood) just as the atonement keeps those in Christ from Divine judgment
B. Priority of the Atonement 20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. 1. As soon as the temple was ready, Hezekiah began the sacrifices 2. This is the best attitude to have when it comes to sin – remedy it as soon as possible 3. The greatest need of mankind now is to come to Christ
C. Pain of the Atonement 22 So they killed the bullocks … they had killed the rams… they killed also the lambs… 24 And the priests killed them … 1. The sacrificial animals were killed and then burned on the altar 2. This tells us that great suffering was necessary for the atonement to occur 3. Our Savior suffered intensely to provide our atonement a) Christ suffered our death and took our punishment b) Salvation is free to sinners, but the cost was great c) The human mind cannot fully comprehend it
D. Power for the Atonement 22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar. 1. Le 17:11b … for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul. 2. The power for atonement is in the blood of the sacrifice 1Jo 1:7b … and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 3. “There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.” 4. Many today want to play down the effect of the blood 5. They want to take the blood right out of the gospel message 6. Despise the blood if you will, but remember “without the shedding of blood there is no remission.”
E. People for the Atonement – vs 21, 24 1. The offering here was for all Israel – northern and southern kingdoms 2. This reminds us that the gospel is to be offered to all
F. Possessing of the Atonement 23 And they brought forth the he goats [for] the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them: 1. The Jews had to acknowledge their sinfulness and put their trust in the one who was dying for them 2. Sinners today need to acknowledge their sins and come to Christ 3. Hezekiah led the people in putting his hands on the sacrifice 4. He used his position admirably to influence and encourage others regarding spiritual matters
II. The Adoration in the Services
o After the atonement for sin came the adoration of God o Hezekiah had the order right – atonement then adoration
A. Music in the Adoration
o Much of the adoration in the Temple services was expressed by music o Music is still prominent in church services today
o We should not be surprised that Satan has so corrupted the music at church, for corrupt music does not bring much adoration to God
1. Makers of the Music – vs 25, 30 a) The Levites were the musicians b) Not all Levites were musicians, but all musicians were Levites c) They were skilled in music for they sang and played instruments – cymbals, psalteries, harps, trumpets 2. Moment for the Music – vs 27b-28 a) The music started when the burnt offerings were begun and the music ended when the offerings ended b) When we are delivered from the pit, then we sing a new song Ps 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 3. Message in the Music 30a Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer… a) This command by Hezekiah guaranteed that the music would be scriptural and God-honoring b) We need to carefully watch the message of our music 4. Merriness in the Music 30b …And they sang praises with gladness… a) The Psalmist said to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” in Ps 100 b) This is what the musicians were doing in the worship services at the Temple c) When one gets right with the Lord, it is not the ending of joy as the world thinks, it is just the beginning d) No one gives true joy to the heart of man as Jesus Ps 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time [that] their corn and their wine increased. 5. Majesty in the Music 30c … and they bowed their heads and worshipped. a) The conduct at the temple services was reverent and holy b) The Levites were not dancing around the stage like many musicians do today in churches c) The Levites bowed their heads and worshipped
B. Multitude in the Adoration 1. The Participation in the Worship 28a And all the congregation worshipped… a) The Levites who made the music were not the only ones who worshipped in the services at the Temple b) The entire congregation got involved in the worship c) We need more of that today d) Many today treat the worship service as a spectator sport e) Just being here is not enough - Enter into the worship 2. The Prompter in the Worship 29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. a) Hezekiah led the congregation in the worship of God b) What a blessing to have a king would could lead in worship c) Many kings have persecuted those who worshipped d) Hezekiah’s example inspired multitudes to worship e) On March 23, 1742, during the first performance of “The Messiah” King George II of England stood during the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” and people have been standing ever since f) May we all be like Hezekiah and encourage others to worship 3. The Posture in the Worship 29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. a) Bowed and worshipped are very similar words b) Bowed applies to the body - worshipped applies to the heart c) Many bow outwardly, but don’t bow inwardly d) They go through the motions, but their heart is not really in it e) This is the kind of worship that we need
III. The Aiding of the Services
o We learn here some good lessons on giving
A. Prerequisite for the Giving 31a Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD… 1. The people consecrated themselves to the Lord before bringing their sacrifices 2. They had dedicated themselves to serve God 3. First was atonement, then adoration, then giving 4. Atonement spoke of salvation by God and adoration spoke of devotion to God and together they equal dedication to God which makes the people ready to serve Him a) We cannot expect people to serve God who are not saved and dedicated to Him b) The lost have no heart to serve God
B. Plentifulness in the Giving – vs 31 1. The giving here was plentiful giving 2. The “free heart” was the cause of the plentiful giving a) This “free heart” was the result of the atonement and adoration and consecration b) These givers give liberally and enthusiastically because their heart is in it 3. Here is the catalog of the giving vs 32-33, 35 4. Hundreds of animals were given for sacrifices 5. The giving was abundant
C. Problem from the Giving – vs 34 1. Abundant giving of the people exposed a problem among priests 2. Many of the priests were not duly sanctified 3. There was no excuse for this – if anyone should have been sanctified, it should have been these priests 4. Failure to keep sanctified disqualified these priests from participating in this significant occasion 5. We can disqualify ourselves from service by sin in our lives 6. The Levites were more upright than the priests – how sad – the subordinates were morally superior to their superiors 7. Leaders often have less character than those they lead
D. Promptness in the Giving – vs 36 1. This certainly applies to the giving of the people as well as other aspects of the temple service 2. The people gave promptly so the services were not interrupted 3. They did not hinder God’s work by being delinquent in their giving 4. Failing to give promptly can hold back our church from doing the work God wants done
E. Product of the Giving 1. The giving restored the worship services vs 35 a) The service of the Lord was set in order b) It was reestablished or restored c) The services would not have succeeded if the people had not brought sacrifices “in abundance” 2. The giving resulted in rejoicing – vs 36 a) Vs 30 - the Levites “sang praises with gladness” b) Joy is a product of giving c) The stingy, miserly person will not enjoy church very much d) The rejoicing was over spiritual blessings e) To rejoice over spiritual blessings, one must have a spiritual heart f) Carnal hearts do not rejoice over spiritual blessings g) What brings you joy will reveal the condition of your heart.