MTS SINAI AND ZION - The contrast of course, in verses 18-21, is between Mount Zion and Sinai. Mount Zion is a symbol throughout Scripture, a metaphoric "code" word, referring the place where God resides, God’s neighborhood. Here, however, the writer adds to the metaphor; it has an eschatological reference point. Mount Zion is/will be the gathering of thousands of angels, heavenly beings, and God’s people; they all converge in joyous celebration.

NIB ON WORSHIP AND PRESENCE:

The present and practical side to the grand eschatological image of God’s dwelling place is the worship of the Christian community (v. 28). Worship is the means by which the church in its present life draws near to God. Worshipers approach God with confidence, knowing that in Jesus our priest we will find mercy and grace to help (4:14-16). This understanding infuses every word and act of worship with gratitude (v. 28). But never does the worshiper forget that it is God whom we approach and that, therefore, the service is offered in reverence and awe (v. 28). The image of "a consuming fire" (v. 29), while jolting and distancing at first, reminds a congregation that has grown neglectful, apathetic, dull of hearing, and indifferent toward its own gatherings (10:25) that its life of worship is not to sink into that same carelessness. In fact, 12:28-29 may also be understood to imply that designing worship that abandons gratitude, reverence, and awe in order to please passing tastes may meet with some applause but fail in what is acceptable to God. [1]

Name the one part of worship that for you lifts you into the reverence and awe of God. __ inspiring choral introit? ___homily? ___call to worship? ___offertory?

___the Peace? ___the blessing? ___announcements? ___ Eucharist? ___other?

I would get a copy of Thomas Long’s book, Beyond Worship Wars (Abingdon) and Martin Thielen’s Ancient / Modern Worship (Abingdon). Both authors attempt to recover a worship that restores reverence and the holy Other to worshipers. Both come to grips with the worship wars over style that rages throughout mainline churches in America. Thomas Long says it best, "worship is not about strategy, it’s about awe."

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible XII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), pp. 160-161.