Are you a worshipper?

Jesus says, "..a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23,24The Father is looking for worshippers!

What is a worshipper and how does one worship the Father?

To answer that question we need to understand what true worship is.

Definition of worship

The word worship means, to give worth to someone or something. The Greek word that we translate as worship is the word proskuneo and essentially means to kiss the feet. So we see that to worship is to humble ourselves before the one or thing we value. In other words, worship is our response to that which we value most.

Living as worshippers

We worship with our lives. In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul writes,

"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1Paul is urging us to respond to God with our lives in a way that pleases God. Paul then continues and says,

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
In other words, in response to God, the believer should live a life set apart for God (a holy life) and no longer live a selfish and self-centred, wordly life! When the believer lives his life because of God and for God, he lives his life as a worshipper. To live one's life in response to God is to live in "the fear of the Lord" (see Acts 9:31). The worshipper desires to know God's will so that he can live his life accordingly - a life set apart for God and pleasing to Him. The more we lay down our will to do God's will, the more we honour Him (give Him worth) and live as the worshippers the Father seeks.

Worship, then, involves our entire existence.

Living from mercy and not for mercy

True worshippers live to give God honour because of what He has done for them. Sadly,many Christians live their lives trying to meet un unreachable standard of perfection in order to please God, not understanding that they have been made perfect in Christ "for the praise of God's glory" (Heb. 10:10,14; Eph. 1:12).
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9,10
We have received mercy so that as God's people, set apart for Him, we will live lives that honour Him. God has delivered His people from self-consciousness and sin-consciousness in order that we become blameless and God-conscious, living to honour God (Heb.9:14; Col.1:22). Sin "entangles" because it gets our eyes off Jesus and onto ourselves again and we allow the enemy to bring us under false condemnation as he accuses us. There is however "no condemnation for those who are in Christ" and so we must deal with our sin quickly in order to get our eyes back on Jesus (see Heb. 12:1,2; Rom. 8:1).
"..because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Heb. 7:24,25
Therefore Jesus is able to keep us blameless to the end (1 Cor. 1:8)!

Worship in song

When we talk about worship, most of us think of the songs we sing on a Sunday or whenever we meet as a church. Let's have a look at worship in the context of our meetings in view of what we have seen so far.

Response to revelation

Worship in song is a response to the revelation of God. The psalmists, for example, wrote their prayers, songs and poems to express their response to the revelation of God they had received.
King David writes,

"Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness." Psalm 29:1,2
 
King David had a revelation of God's holiness and the greatness of the Lord's glory and strength. In response to that revelation, King David encourages the saints to worship God.

Similarly, the songs we sing in our church meetings are the song-writers' response to their knowledge of God and the revelation they have received of Him. So really, most congregations are singing someone else's response to God. The worshipper may be able to identify with the response he is singing or he may just go through the motions of singing the words.

True worship songs

There are many ways one can respond to God but not all responses are true worship. If we consider that true worship involves giving worth to God and being God-conscious rather than self-conscious, then true worship songs will be focused on God. That may seem obvious but if you look at the songs that many churches sing, you will find that the person sung about, is not God but the one who is singing the song! That doesn't mean that there is something wrong with the song; it simply means it isn't true worship.

For me or for God?

I love Stuart Townend's song, "Pour over me" but I wouldn't sing it to worship God because the song is about what I want God to do for me. It's a great song that ministers to me but it's not worship. Compare it to the words that are sung in heaven:

"Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Rev. 4:8-11The four living creatures responded to the revelation of God by speaking to Him (not about Him) and by laying down their crowns before the throne. Similarly true worshippers lay down their selfish needs and self-centredness as they fix their eyes on the Lord to honour Him.

Revelation leads to manifestation

We are experiencing an ever-increasing manifestation of God's presence in our meetings as we truly worship Him. As we "fix our eyes on Jesus" He reveals Himself to us more and more and as He does so, we respond in worship. It's wonderful!

Our responsibility

Sadly many believers struggle to respond to God without the use of "ready" songs because they aren't used to worshipping God in the secret place with their own words and responding to their Father personally in their own words.

Worship in spirit and in truth

The Father is looking for worshippers. He is looking for those who will worship Him from the depths of their being and with a genuine heart. He hates lip-service and longs for His sons and daughters to draw near in reverence and awe and to live holy lives that honour Him (Mark 7:6; Heb.10:19-23 ).

Draw near!
I want to encourage you to draw near to God and to worship Him. Use your own words to declare your love for Him and your admiration of Him. As He reveals Himself to you, simply speak what He reveals and respond with your heart and your mouth. Avoid the temptation of asking Him for something and bringing the focus back on yourself. Keep your eyes on Him and join in the song of heaven. Learn to worship God in the secret place and you will help the church draw nearer to God as you worship together in spirit and in truth.

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Are you really a member of a church (part 2)?

As we continue to explore what the Word of God reveals about what it means to be a member of a church, we need to consider cetain elements that differentiate the local church (a group of believers) from the universal Church (all believers).

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:41-47

On the day of Pentecost about three thousand people were added to the Church in Jerusalem. These new believers devoted themselves to meeting together, either in the temple courts or in their homes. They did this to build relationships, to encourage one another, to grow in their knowledge of God, to honour the body of Christ and to share their lives with one another.

The writer to the Hebrews confirms the importance of this when he writes,

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

As the Church grew and believers in different towns and cities were added to the Church, certain essential characteristics can be observed that differentiated each group of believers.

Location

The Church met in their locality and so we find that the letters in the New Testament are addressed to different churches according to their location - Corinth, Thessalonika, Ephesus, Laodicea, etc.

Location differentiated the churches.

Leadership

At the birth of the Church, the leaders of the Church were the apostles (see Acts 6) but as the Church extended to other cities, leaders were appointed over each church in her various locations.

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you." Titus 1:5

Leadership differentiated the churches.

Resources

The church in Jerusalem modelled the nature and behaviour of the church in other locations. Just as all the believers in Jerusalem shared what they had with all the other believers so that no one was in need (Acts 4:32-35), so the church in other locations would have done the same. The believers in their respective locations would have shared their resources with the believers in their location. Out of their relationship with one another, the believers cared for the needs of those they were joined to. Sometimes the believers in one location would take up a collection to meet the needs of the church in another location (see 2 Cor. 8,9).

Sharing of resources differentiated the churches.

Organisation

Just as the believers in Jerusalem had to organise themselves so that the believers met together regularly for prayer, communion, training, equipping, collection and distribution of resources, etc so we see that the churches in other locations also had to organise themselves to grow and be effective. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul explains that God gives each believer in Christ gifts that are to be used for the building up of the body (see Eph. 4:7-16). God combines His people so that the local body is organised (see 1 Cor. 12).

Organisation differentiated the churches.

Doctrinal emphasis

In the beginning the Church was devoted to the apostles' teaching. Everyone was being taught the same truth and there would have been complete unity in heart and mind concerning what was being taught, believed and lived. However, as the Church spread to other locations, so the Church became more and more prone to false teachers and corruption of the truth. Paul's main concern for the churches was that they would persevere through trials and persecution and stand firm in their faith and that the churches would not be misled by false doctrine. Elders were appointed in each city to make sure that the church was being taught "what is in accord with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). Paul even had to confront Peter with regard to his behaviour that was contradiciting what was supposed to be taught and practised (see Gal 2:11 - 3:5). Today there are many different churches due to differences in doctrine or differences in emphasis of doctrine. Consequently believers will choose to be part of a church where they agree and identify with what is being taught.

Doctrinal emphasis differentiated the churches.

Style

It seems that the churches differed in their style of worship and meetings. Apparently the Colossians were "orderly" (Col. 2:5) but the Corinthians were rather disorderly (see 1 Cor. 11:17-34). How the churches met together would have differed form city to city. Just as people differ in their preferences concerning style and form so believers choose a group that they can identify with and feel part of in terms of how the church meets together.

Style differentiates the churches.

Purpose

Clearly every church was committed to her locality. However just as each member of the body has a different gift and calling to fulfill God's purpose, so each church has a unique calling and purpose within the greater body. Those who are part of the local body will identify with, and be devoted to the purpose of the local church.

Purpose diffentiates the churches.

So we see that within the greater body or the Church, there are many churches that can be differentiated because of:

Relationships, location, leadership, resources, organisation, doctrine, style, and purpose.

Clearly then, for the believer to really be part of the local church he will:

1. be devoted to the group of people, relationally
2. meet regularly where the church meets
3. honour and submit to the leadership of the church
4. give time, energy and resources to the church
5. support the organisation of the church
6. agree with and apply what is taught
7. be comfortable with the style of meetings
8. be devoted to the church's purpose

These, I believe, are the essential elements that differentiate the various churches that make up the greater body of Christ.

Kingdom-minded

Now, although the believer is to be part of a local church, he must not lose sight of the fact that he is still part of the greater whole - the Church. A Kingdom-minded believer sees other local churches as part of the Church of which he also is a part of. The priority for the Kingdom-minded believer is that every believer is part of a church even if it isn't his own local church. It is more important that a new believer find a local body he can be part of rather than which body he is part of (assuming of course it is Christian)! If the local churches would only have a Kingdom mind-set, then they would stop competing with each other and stop taking offense when believers "move" and devote themselves to another group of believers (church-hoppers don't devote themselves to any church).

I encourage you to think about whether you really are a member of a church. Enlarge your thinking concerning the Church and see how the Church is God's plan to further His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Be part of it.

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eph. 3:10,11

Do you love me?

This morning as I spent time in God's presence and worshipped Him, acknowledging and confessing His greatness and love, I was arrested as I believe the Lord asked me,

"Do you love me?"

A little surprised by the question, I began to reflect on the question. As I did so, I was reminded of the same question posed by Jesus to Peter in John 21:15-17.

"Do you truly love me?" Jesus asks. Like Peter I was quick to answer, "Yes, of course I love you!" but I realised that Jesus was after something.

God wants my whole heart!

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart.." it says in Matthew 22:37 and the Lord reprimands those who worship Him without their hearts: "These people honour me with their lips but their hearts are far from me" Matthew 15:8.

To worship God is to love Him.

God wants my heart and not just my confession of truth. He wants my emotions! "..draw near to God with a sincere heart.." Hebrews 10:22

To worship God is to worship God in spirit and in truth, by His Spirit and with a sincere heart, full of love for Him (see John 4:22-24).

Could it be that believers have suppressed emotions for fear of lack of "self-control," thinking that it is spiritual not to express emotions?

When Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5, he is talking about the evidence manifested by those who walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh or old nature. "Self-control" is listed as one of the manifestations. In the context, it is clear that Paul is talking about the believer's control over the old nature (the lust of the flesh and self-centredness) and not about controlling one's emotions! Believers confuse self-control with being composed and orderly. How tragic!

If God lavishes His love on us, why shouldn't we lavish our love on Him?
Are we not to imitate Him?
(See John 13:1; 1 John 3:1; Rom. 5:5; Eph. 3:14-19; 5:1)

"We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). I believe the quality of our love for God is proportional to the love we receive from Him (See Eph. 5:1).

Our hearts are softened as we reflect on God's love for us and we trust in Him. Unbelief and hardness of heart go hand in hand just as faith and love go hand in hand (See Heb. 4:7).

How is your heart today? Is it hard and distant or soft and near?

Draw near to God with a sincere heart and tell Him how much you love Him and what He means to you! Allow God to touch your emotions and don't be afraid of what He does to your heart! Keep your focus on Him and avoid introspection but let Him in!

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