Lesson 15: The Divine Service, Heaven on Earth

What is central to the Divine Service? We can find it in both testaments. First let's read Genesis 4:3-5. "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor". This is a portion from the story of Cain and Abel. Abel had a  heart that wanted to please the Lord, while Cain did not. Let's also look at levitical sacrifice, in Leviticus 6:12-13. "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out". So what is central to service in the Old Testament? Sacrifice. And all these verses point to Jesus' sacrifice. 

Now let's look in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 declares "We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God". Sacrifice is also central to the New Testament service. Whose sacrifice? Jesus' sacrifice! 

Who is in Heaven? Revelation 5:6 says "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircling by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth". The Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes represents the slain Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 

Who is present at the Divine Service? Jesus simply says in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them". So simply put, Jesus and believers are present together at the Divine Service. 

Where, you may ask? John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". Jesus is the Word. Let's also read Jesus' words at The Last Supper again. "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins". Christ is present in Word and Communion. Why is Christ present? Because He wants to forgive us. He won forgiveness on the cross and He gives it in Word and Sacrament. We go to God's Service to receive his gifts. 

Let's discuss the Divine Service. The Liturgy is Evangelical, Incarnational, Sacramental, Confessional, Liturgical, and Historical. Evangelical simply means to speak the Good News, what God did to save us. Incarnational means the Word being made flesh. Sacramental means it's where Christ is present. Confessional means that we stand in the presence of God. Liturgical means that we act in a certain way. Historical means that we are united to Heaven. 

Why do Protestants go to worship? While Lutheran is often categorized under Protestant, let's talk more about the other Protestant denominations after it. Other Protestants go to worship just for fellowship, to learn, and to be motivated. But there's something more important that's missing. Lutherans go to service to receive Christ and His gifts. Not just to listen to a rock concert, hear an encouraging message, fellowship, and go home. This is the behavior of many churches. Especially of Baptist and "non denominational" churches. 

Why do Catholics go to Mass? Catholics go to Mass to re-sacrifice Christ. This is an unbiblical practice, as Christ died once and for all. As Lutherans, we believe we are united to Christ through communion, but we do not sacrifice him again. 

There are two high points of the Liturgy. The first high point is the gospel reading. What is the gospel? Gospel means Good News. The Good News is Jesus' death and resurrection. We stand up in service to confess this. The second high point is the sacrament. 1 Corinthians 11:26 says "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes". We come forward and kneel at the altar as we receive the bread and wine. 

Why is the sacrament the highest point? What did eating establish? Leviticus 7:13 and 20 says "Along with his fellowship offering of thanksgiving he is to present an offering with cakes of bread made with yeast...But if anyone who is unclean eats any meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people". Also in the New Testament, Jesus says in John 6:54, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day". Eating establishes fellowship and  union with other believers. 

God is praised perfectly in fullness of glory in Heaven and at The Divine Service. Our attitude and demeanor is to be humble reverence and respect. We know that heaven comes to us in the Service when we are together. 

How does the Service go? First, we recite the Kyrie: "Lord, have mercy on us; Christ, have mercy on us; Lord, have mercy on us". We sing the Kyrie to show that we are beggars that beg for mercy. 

Second, we sing the Gloria. "Glory be to God on high. And on earth peace, good will toward men. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory, O Lord God, heav'nly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, son of the Father, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer. You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us. For You only are holy; You only are the Lord. You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen". We sing the Gloria to answer the Kyrie, our plea for mercy. 

Third, we chant the Nicene Creed, as follows: "I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only son of god, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end". I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy Christian [catholic] and apostolic Church. I acknoledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen". Why do we confess this creed? To show that God has saved us. 

Fourth, we sing the Sanctus. "Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts; heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest". We sing the Sanctus because Christ comes humbly, to give us salvation. 

Last, we sing the Agnus Dei. "O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace. Amen". We sing the Agnus Dei because the sacrifice is present for us. 

This concludes the lessons of Living Word Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.