Questions - Monday

Thanks for a great Sunday yesterday. I have to tell you though, it is a lot more comfortable behind my computer screen than it is in the hot seat. Even still, Ken and I really enjoyed discussing all the questions you asked last week and look forward to bringing the whole pastoral staff in the  mix in the coming weeks. 

This morning I thought I would clear up a couple of questions that came up yesterday between the services. 

The first question showed up in the first service, and I didn't feel as though my answer was quite as clear and concise as it could have been. So, I'm going to take a mulligan and hit it again this morning since it is a great question that deserves a clear answer. 

When Peter calls them a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9) does that mean the Church has replaced Israel?

There is a school of thought called "replacement theology" that believes because Israel squandered their promises by rejecting her Messiah, Israel's promises have been forfeited and given to the Church instead. I believe Romans 11 makes it clear that God still intends to keep His promises to the nation of Israel, something that will take place when Jesus returns and rules as the King over all creation. However, in the current age the Church (Jews and Gentiles together) is fulfilling the functions of worship that Israel was originally supposed to perform. Peter uses terms with which Israelites would be familiar (remember: Peter preached primarily to the Jews), to point out this truth. The church is fulfilling a similar function to the one Israel was supposed to fulfill (compare Isaiah 49:6 with the second half of 1 Peter 2:9). However, the fact that the two fulfill a similar mission does not mean one has replaced the other. 

You said "The Purpose of True Worship is to Reveal God." How does that fit with the idea that the purpose of life is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever?" 

This is a great question. In my mind, they are one in the same. God's "glory" is anything that makes God known. We "glorify" God by revealing Him to the watching world. Our purpose as humans (and as worshippers) is to point the world to a loving God who has "called us out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

We'll have some more questions answered tomorrow. Have a great week revealing God through your continuous worship of Jesus Christ this week; even while you're doing the laundry! We are looking forward to sharing in the culmination of a week's worth of continuous worship together this Easter Sunday.