16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (ESV)
A liturgy with lots of Scripture is an example of how when we worship together, we are breathing in and out.
Worship has often been referred to as the Divine Dialogue. We must remember that when God's word is read aloud, it is God speaking. Whenever the people of God gathered for worship in biblical times, it was always a mainstay of liturgy that much Scripture was read. In his earlier epistle, Paul exhorted Timothy to "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching", (1 Tim. 4:13, ESV).
This can be seen in the earliest gatherings, like the Covenant Ratification at Sinai in Exodus 24 when Moses read aloud the Law, but also in Nehemia 8, when the people rebuilt the wall after the Exile and gathered to worship in Jerusalem at last. In the New Testament, Acts 2:42 tells us that the Apostles' teaching was a cornerstone of the Early Church's gatherings. That would have been similar to the Synagogue pattern of reading and explication of the Scriptures as a mainstay of meeting with God, at least from the Babylonian Exile onward. The Early Church inherited this pattern of liturgy, adding the Lord's Table (breaking of bread) to "Christo-centrize" the weekly gathering.
Paul coined a Greek phrase "God-breathed" (Gk. Theopneustos) to describe the living and inspired nature of Scripture. Pneuma (breath or spirit) implies that the Word of God is given and borne by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, rather than just think that the reason for reading Scripture is, as Paul mentions, its benefits (profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness), we need to step back and remember that the entire act of worshipping is built on the dual pillars of Revelation and Response. When God reveals himself, especially through his word, the People of God are to respond.
So, try to think of worship as an ongoing dialogue of God speaking - with us breathing IN the word - and his people responding - breathing out again in song, prayer, or creed. When we stop breathing, we die. In that sense, hearing from God's word in worship really is "a matter of life and death". Choose life! Breathe God in, and respond back from your heart as we gather in his presence!
Dr. Johnny Markin
Photo by Michelle (courtesy Unsplash)
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