Leviticus 22:21 And whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep… All religious service is of the nature of sacrifice. I. Read this requirement of perfect sacrifices, and by it let us test our regard for the SABBATH SERVICES. God has once, at least, read us a very solemn lesson of the manner in which He regards lost Sabbaths. Seventy Sabbatical years the Jews allowed to drop out of their calendar. Seventy years were spent by them in captivity. A fearful presage to us of what might be the national judgment if, as a Church and people, we went on to blot out from amongst us our day of rest. Every one will agree that if the Sabbath be obligatory, then it is assuredly obligatory thus far — 1. That there be regular attendance upon public service. 2. Of the other hours of the day, that a part be spent in private devotional exercises, a part in religious reading; that a higher and more sacred tone of conversation be maintained; that some work of piety and love be performed. II. By this test let us judge our SANCTUARY WORSHIP. Examine ourselves in the house of God. Difficulty of keeping the mind collected and devout results from want of due preparation. 1. Something may be said respecting the posture of body we assume in the sanctuary. Position of body reacts upon the mind. Indolence is associated with, and leads to, irreverence. Kneeling is required equally by the dignity of God and the weakness of our nature. 2. So with the voice. Difficult to overestimate how much is lost — (a) to the beauty of our services; (b) to the glory of God; (c) to our own souls, by the silence so many of us maintain, both in the responses and in the service of song.But there are more serious "blemishes" in our sanctuary sacrifices than these. Where is — (1) The constant mental effort essential to true worship and proper in the presence of God? (2) The self-distrust due from such sinful creatures as we? (3) The self-discipline to bring ourselves into responsiveness to God's Spirit? (4) The inward up-looking for Divine light and grace? (5) The frequent reminding our selves of what. we .are and. what God is? (6) The simple spirit of self-application? (7) The faith to give wings to prayer?Well might St. James say, "Ye have not because ye ask not, or ask amiss." "Blemish on sacrifice" drives the flame down again. III. By this test let us examine our observance of THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. A word in solemn affection to some. You never attend the sacrament to celebrate the Lord's death at all. Others, if at all, so irregularly as almost to turn the attendance into a mockery. 1. Happy for us that we can turn from all our poor "blemished" sacrifices to that pure and perfect sacrifice of Christ, which has been offered "without blemish and without spot" for us. 2. Only let us never forget that he who would safely trust in the power of that "Sacrifice" for his salvation must take the spotlessness of that Sacrifice for his daily pattern. (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. |
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