BIBLE STUDY ON WORSHIP AND THE WORSHIPER
PART I
TRUE WORSHIPERS:
Isaiah 66:1, 2 - God declares by His own mouth that heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool, where is the house that will be His resting place. For He has made all things and without Him nothing exist that exists (John 1). But this is the one whom God esteems, this is the one whom God seeks, "the one who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at His word".
WORD STUDY
(For a deeper understanding, click on the words below.)
Jesus follows this understanding of True Worshipers in John 4. His teaching session with the woman at the well tells of a time that is coming (and has come), when all arguments regarding true worship will cease and true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. He says that this is the kind of worshiper the Father is seeking, because He is Spirit and those who worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.
Here, we see the proper understanding of true worship includes a proper understanding of truth. Jesus again explains in John 17:17 “Thy word is truth.” If we are not careful, we will make the same mistake as the Samaritans. Just as they believed they could confine God to their understanding of Him, Christians today make the same assumption.
As we continue propelling toward the end of time, we will find ourselves unable to attend a church building per se. We can expect that our Bibles will be taken away from us. How, then will we worship? Only those in relationship with their God can remain in true worship of the one True God. Now is the time to move away from limiting and confining God by our own feeble minds. More accurately, He is the God of the universe, Who stands outside of time, space and our meager understanding. I believe this is one point of the message of “true worship” and “true worshipers” that the Scripture talks about. God is looking to dwell not in a church building but in the hearts of His people. From Genesis to Revelation 21:3, you will find over 77 references to God declaring in various forms......”I will dwell among them ...I will be their God and they will be My people.” It is interesting to do a word study on this principle; you will be amazed at how many times God refers it. He is seeking to be in relationship with us, just as He was with Adam and Eve.
The Bible reveals in Genesis 3:8-10 that God walked in the Garden and talked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. God has ever since pursued this type of relationship with mankind. We see God relating to the patriarchs, prophets and the apostles in clear, intimate, personal and practical ways. For some examples, read the account of Moses’ constant conferences with God which resulted in the giving of the Ten Commandments. Another example, read the account of Elijah on the mountain where the still, small Voice gave him clear direction. If you remain unconvinced, read the many accounts of our Savior Jesus Christ’s intimate relationship with His Father. We have both verbal confirmation and visible proof of the Holy Spirit descending at His baptism. Even down to the end of time, Revelation 21:3 gives us a final glimpse into the heart of God for us all. He finally declares “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
FINDING TRUE WORSHIPERS
We wholeheartedly believe in the assembling of ourselves together as taught by Hebrews 10:19-25. However, there are specific purposes for our coming together and it has nothing to do with a church building and everything to do with growing in the grace and knowledge of our God. Many will quote only verse 25 in support of church attendance; however, looking to the previous verses will give a clearer understanding of why we attend church. Read it and you will not see any reference to the distribution of heavenly merit for church attendance. Could this misunderstanding have anything to do with the 1996 statistics where 1 in 11 Americans suffer from “ecclesiophobia,” the fear of church? Ironically, eighty percent of church growth in the United States results from the transfer of membership as opposed to newly converted members.
Have our churches become like Noah’s Ark? “if it were not for the storm outside, you could not stand the stench inside.” –quotation taken from Howard Hendricks. May church attendance never come down to a choice between the lesser of two evils. It is my prayer that all churches become beacons of light and truth that are compelling and inviting to those who are lost in the storm outside. However, in order to accomplish this, we must return to God and His word and seek to dispel the stench of the world that has negatively influenced our churches.
FALSE WORSHIP AND WORSHIPERS
Looking back to our study Scripture, Isaiah 66:3, God goes on to express His contempt for worshipers who worship in insincerity without reverence for His will or His ways. This is worship that includes worldly practices suited to appeal to the flesh and personal tastes. God specifically calls them "abominations." This is strong language which denotes the Lord's anger and rejection of such worship. Could Howard Hendricks have a point, one is unable to distinguish the difference between the divine and worldly practices in our churches today? Unfortunately, our music and dance borderline upon hip/hop that is in total disregard for the sanctity of the sanctuary. Regrettably, there is a lack of holiness and reverence for the Spirit of God that is reduced to "emotional feelings," prideful displays of tongue speaking and laying on of hands. Sermons are sugar coated with promises of earthly material wealth and possessions rather than Christlike living of love and obedience to God. Unfortunately, victorious Christian living is an oxymoron that attempts to elevate the spiritual stature of the “flesh”. To the contrary, read Isaiah 66:4-6 which describes it better than the meager words of this author.
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
The other day as I traveled to work in early morning traffic, I approached an extremely busy intersection. Two police vehicles appeared and blocked the adjacent traffic at the intersection. At that moment, tears filled my eyes, not because I was running late for work. But, rather, the reason we were held up sent my spirit in turmoil. As I looked down the road there was an army of police vehicles emitting emergency lights and parading around a long, black stretch limousine with tented windows. No doubt, it was the president, governor or some sports figure or movie idol. And this is when the overwhelming guilt and shame struck me. My mind returned to the absurdity of the world and its reverence of the flesh. Just earlier that morning, the leading news story was the debate of removing the 10 commandments from display in the courtrooms across America. I was pained by the reality of how quick are we to remove God and His word, along with any reference of Him from the world that He created for us. Yet, we will elevate the status of flesh and reverence the positions and stature of men of so-called prominence and wealth. We will hold up traffic to give honor to man, but push the Almighty Creator of man to the background of life. I immediately began interceding for mankind, repenting of our sin of dishonor and rejection of the absolute authority of God. I asked for His mercy and thanked Him for His longsuffering nature. I ended the prayer by repenting of our consistent cries to God to bless America and cried out for America to Bless God!!!!!
In Part II we will look to the culmination of worship in the last days. We will take our text from Revelation 13 and 14.
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