Why Worship is Political

1. In worship we declare Jesus to be the King of Kings. We say that Caesar must bow to Him. We say that Jesus rules right now, not the President or the Prime Minister or ever else may be sitting on the throne.

2. In worship, we offer prayers before the throne of God, as a body. We can pray anytime, but the corporate prayers of the saints have the ability to turn the hearts of kings. (See I Timothy 2:1-2) In worship we appeal to the one who holds the king’s heart in his hands. (Proverbs 21:1)

3. In worship we come to hear and obey a law that is higher than our constitution. We declare that the Supreme Court or the UN does not have the final say in what is right or wrong. God’s law is supreme.

4. In worship, we are reminded that in the end there will be only one city. There will not be Morgantown or Fairmont or West Virginia or the United States or Madagascar or Australia. In the end there will only be the Church, bought by the blood of Christ, sanctified by the Spirit, singing praise to the glory of the Father. (Revelation 5:9)

5. In worship, we are being prepared for and participating in that one final city, the heavenly city, where our citizenship lies. (Philippians 3:20) This is a city of song, fellowship, God’s Word, water, bread and wine, and forgiveness of sins.

6. In worship, we are reminded that nations are converted not through fleshly power or coercion or swords, but through sacrifice. We are reminded that we are being saved because He died. If we want to be a witness then we too must learn to die. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

7. In worship, we sing the Psalms.  The Psalms are deeply political.  (Psalm 2, 45, 110, etc. )

There is more that could be said, but that is a good start.

Psalm 22 in Matthew 27

Matthew quotes from Psalm 22 twice in his narration of the crucifixion in Matthew 27. In verse 35 he quotes from Psalm 22:18. Christ quotes Psalm 22:1 in verse 46. Matthew’s point here is a simple. Even in the middle of this great darkness, where the Son of God is being crucified, God is in control. Even here, where we would assume God has lost his handle on things, Scripture is being fulfilled. Even at the cross, where the Kingdom appears to gotten off track, God’s Word predicted it long ago.

If God was in control at the cross, how much more is he in control of our tragedies and sorrows? If Christ trusted his Father at the cross, how much more can we trust our Father when we have to endure trials and tribulations?

Easter Homily

Here is great homily by Pastor Leithart on the Resurrection of Christ and our life being hid in Him. I really enjoyed it and hope you will too.