COVENANT RENEWAL WORSHIP
The pattern of our worship follows the basic Biblical structure of sacrificial worship. This pattern is found in both Old and New Covenant Scriptures, but the easiest place to see this form is in Leviticus 9, the first time corporate worship was offered at the newly built tabernacle. We are fully justified in using this pattern in the new covenant. While Jesus abolished animal sacrifice, he did not revoke the way of sacrifice (e.g., Rom 12:1-2, Heb 13:15, etc.). New covenant worship is still described using sacrificial terms, and the church is described as the true temple. In Christ, our worship service shows the fulfillment and transformation of Old Covenant worship types and shadows. Our worship service is as follows:
The Lord Calls Us to Worship
(Lev 9:5) Our worship is a response to God's summons. He always takes the initiative. We draw near only because He first invites us.
The Lord Cleanses Us
The sin offering (Lev 9:15) highlights the need to admit our sins and be forgiven. Without first admitting our sins, we worship God with unclean hands and lips. But after being cleansed, we may enter God's presence.
The Lord Consecrates Us
The ascension offering (Lev 9:16) corresponds to our entrance into God's heavenly sanctuary (cf. Heb 10:19 ff) and to being set apart for Him. This ascent is marked by the sursum corda ("Lift your hearts up to the Lord"). The ascension offering is a burst of sung praise because we have been cleansed and given access to God's throne room. We enter God's courts with thanks and joy. This offering also includes reading and preaching the Word, as we are set apart for God's service by His truth (John 17:17; Heb 4:12). It also includes prayer, as we offer ourselves in a ministry of intercession together with the risen Christ.
The Lord Collects Our Gifts
The tribute offering (Lev 9:17) follows the ascension offering and is represented by the collection of tithes and offerings. We offer ourselves in the ascension offering; we offer our works in the tribute offering. The tribute offering consisted of bread (symbolizing man's labors and the transformation of creation) and never stood alone in the Levitical system. It always followed the sin and ascension offerings and was placed atop them on the altar. This is because our works are not acceptable to God apart from the blood sacrifice of Christ. But in Christ, God accepts us and our labors.
The Lord Communes With Us
The peace offering (Lev 9:18-21) is the climax of the liturgy. This offering is the communion meal we eat in God's presence. All Old Covenant feasts and festivals were variations of the peace offering. The Lord's Supper, of course, is our peace offering in the new covenant, as God shares His table with us.
The Lord Commissions Us
Finally, we are commissioned, sent out with God's benediction (Lev 9:22-23). At the tabernacle, Aaron raised his hands and blessed the people as he dismissed them (Num 6:22-27). We are sent out to serve God in the world, carrying His blessing as we go.