Worship: From Exile to Restoration

Worship: From Exile to Restoration

September 3, 2011

Larry R Evans

Introductory Reflections

As we study this week’s lesson one principle becomes dominant: God only requires what He first gives – faithfulness. While one theme of this lesson might be apostasy, the first theme is God’s faithfulness to His promises. God is trustworthy; we are not. God’s love is without flaw; ours is not. God is willing to forgive; we often are not. God’s love calls us but ours hardly notices His anguish caused by our slowness to respond to His calls to return. The ultimate question arising from this lesson is this: “Where do we stand?” or better yet “For whom do we stand?” Perhaps the brightest light coming from this week’s lesson can be summarized in Philippians 1:6,

“ . . . he who began a good work in you will carry it out onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This is only possible because of God’s faithfulness and His persistent calls to each one of us to return to Him.

Quiz

1. How we live while God’s house is in ruins can impact the welfare of the church. (Haggai 1:2-9) True or False?

2. The restoration of worship is a priority for God. (Hag. 1:9-11) True or False?

3. Worship is worship as long as one is sincere. (Ezek. 8:8) True or False?

4. What one does in the dark does not have an influence on others. (Ezek. 8:12) True or False?

5. Worshipping an “image” is still worship. (Dan. 3; Rev. 13) True or False?

6. When apostasy is discovered, God brings judgment upon the people or removes His presence or both. (Jer. 29:10-14; Mal. 4:5,6; Rev. 14:6-12) True or False?

7. The challenge with apostasy is to get God to return. (Jer. 3:11-13, 19) True or False?

8. The destroyed walls of Jerusalem were symbols of the political strength of Israel’s enemies. (Neh. 1:3-9) True or False?

9. False worship can cause one to be blotted out of the book of life. (Ex. 32:31-34) True or False?

10. One can worship falsely even if the day is right and images are not used. (1 Sam. 15:22-25; Micah 6:8) True or False?

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