Friday, July 24, 2009

Paradigm of Biblicle Worship

Some say that the Bible does not specify how a worship service should be conducted.
Because of this belief God's people have made a mockery of worship.

The Bible gives many examples of true worship.
In Revelation 4-5 John sees a heavenly vision of a real worship service.
Though the vision was futuristic and took place in heaven...it should stand as a paradigm for God's people today.

Read these two chapters--Take notice of God's people--their attitudes and actions
If we would pattern God's worship services today after this and other biblical examples, there may be more worship taking place and less playing.
LLL

SUSTAINING WORSHIP (Part 2 of 3)

WHAT WORSHIP IS AND WHAT WORSHIP IS NOT
John 4:20-24
(sorry: the Greek words did not paste in the proper font
INTRODUCTION
A. There is much confusion today concerning worship. True worship is when a member of the Lord’s New Testament church worships God in spirit and in truth. Having looked at the meaning of spirit and truth we learned that true worship is when in our spirit we come into the presence of God and commune with Him—another words “in spirit and truth” reveal that worship is not something of the flesh—one may become emotional during worship, however, though we demonstrate this emotion in our flesh, it is of a spiritual nature—in our spirit we recognize who God is and all He has did for us—we may weep when speaking of the cross—get excited about the rapture—these emotions are caused by getting close to God, but they are not a necessity for worship—these emotions are of a (passive nature) Example: The message made me emotional. We did not make ourselves emotional but the content of the message caused us to become emotional.
B. Today many are entering into worship expecting an emotional event. Some worship services are designed to move the emotions—this is not “in spirit and truth”.
C. At this point we need to look at the word “praise”. We have praise services. This is the part of the worship service where we get a little excited—we teach that it is okay to get excited and a little crazy during the praise service because this is what praise is.
1. When you do a word study on the word “praise” in the Bible you will discover that our definition of praise is different from the biblical definition.
2. There are 9 Greek words translated “praise” in the Bible.
PRAISE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
136 aio translated “praise” 2 times in the New Testament (Matthew 21:16; Luke 18:43) meaning a saying, proverb—praise, laudatory discourse
134 ainew translated “praise” 9 times in NT (Luke 2:13, 20; 19:37; 24:53; Romans 15:11; Acts 2:47; 3:8, 9; Revelation 19:5) meaning to praise, extol, to sing praises in honor to God
1391 doxa translated “praise” 4 times in NT translated “glory” 145 times in NT—“praise” John 9:24, John 12:43 (two times), 1 Peter 4:11) meaning a good opinion, judgment or view, resulting in praise, honor and glory
1868 epainos translated “praise” 11 times in the NT (Romans 2:29; 13:3; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14; Philippians 1:11; 4:8; 1 Peter 1:7; 2:14) meaning approbation, commendation, praise
1867 epainew translated “praise” 4 times in NT (1 Corinthians 11:12, 17, 22 (two times) meaning to approve, to praise
5214 umnew translated “sing praise” 2 times in the NT (Hebrews 2:12; Acts 16:25) meaning to sing the praise of , to sing a hymn
133 ainesis translated “praise” 1 time in the NT (Hebrews 13:15) meaning praise, a thank offering
2127 eulogew translated “praised” 1 time in the NT—translated “bless” 143 times in the NT (Luke 1:64) meaning to praise, celebrate with praises, to invoke blessings
703 areth translated “praise” 1 time in the NT 1 Peter 2:9 meaning a virtuous course of thought, feeling or action
D. Praise is done with a jubilant heart, however, it is directed at God and it is not about us. The praising of God is not something to make us feel good but it is done because we are thankful to God, we acknowledge God for all He does for us and who He is—a proper praise service is not a service directed to excite the emotions of those involved or to offer the one praising something but to offer God something
E. Worship differs from praise—while both acknowledges God, praise is not worship and worship is not praise.
WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
4352 proskunew translated “worship” 60 times in 54 verses in the NT meaning to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence—to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence—in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance—from the root 4314 & 2965 meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand
Matthew 2:2, 8, 11; 4:9, 10; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 18:26; 20:20; 28:9, 17; Mark 5:6; 15:19 ; Luke 4:7, 8; 24:52 ; John 4:20-24; 9:38; 12:20 ; Acts 7:43; 8:27; 10:25; 24:11 ; 1 Corinthians 14:25 ; Hebrews 1:6; 11:21 ; Revelation 3:9; 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 9:20; 11:1, 16; 13:4, 8, 12, 15; 14:7, 9, 11; 15:4; 16:2; 19:4, 10, 20; 20:4; 22:8; 22:9
4576 sebomai translated “worship” 6 times in the NT Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; Acts 18:13; 16:14; 18:7 meaning to revere or worship
1391 soza translated “worship” 1 time in the NT Luke 14:10 meaning opinion, judgment, view
3000 latreuw translated “worship” 3 times in the NT Acts 7:42; 24:14; Philippians 3:3 meaning to render religious service or homage, to worship
2151 eusebew translated “worship” 1 time in the NT Acts 17:23 meaning to act piously or reverently
1479 eqeloqrhskia translated “worship” 1 time in the NT Colossians 2:23 meaning will worship
2323 qerapeuw translated “worshipped” 1 time in the NT Acts 17:25 meaning to serve, do service
4573 sebazomai translated “worshipped” 1 time in the NT Romans 1:25 meaning to fear or be afraid
4574 sebasma translated “that is worshipped” 2 times in the NT 2 Thessalonians 2:4 meaning whatever is religiously honored, an object of worship
F. Jesus said that the Father desired for true worshippers to proskunew Him-- to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence—to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence—in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance—from the root 4314 & 2965 meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand
I. WHAT WORSHIP IS
A. Worship is coming into the presence of God and acknowledging Him for who He is and remembering who we are.
1. He is God—we are sinners—How do you go into the presence of God, taking into account of who He is and who we are and not be humble? How can we enter into the presence of God in any other manner than as a dog licking his master’s hand?
2. We stand just before God because of Christ, however, we still sin, we still fall short of the glory of God—knowing where you are at this moment in your life, can you stand before God and proclaim total innocence? Can you walk into His presence with your head held high and proud?
3. When we come to worship God we are coming into His presence—When we do this we must recognize and honor Him for who He is.
Illustration
You are driving to town. You are traveling 100 miles and hour and passing cars on the right and left. In your mirror you see a cop and he pulls you over. What is your attitude towards the cop? You know you are guilty of something bad. Do you get an attitude or start begging when he approaches you?
B. So how can we come into the presence of God without humbling ourselves before Him?
C. I am driving down the road, a deer jumps out in front of me, I swerve and miss it. I am happy, relieved, I say with exclamation “praise the Lord!” This is praise—I am thankful for His protection
D. But when I come into His presence to worship I come in a different manner. I come before Him to worship knowing that I am not worthy to be saved from anything. I deserved death, but God, who is rich in grace and mercy saw proper to let me live—even though fall and stumble—worshipping God is realizing that we exist because He allows—He is God and we are but sinners saved by grace, grace He gave unto us.
II. WHAT WORSHIP IS NOT
A. It is not about us but God.
B. Worship is for God
C. Anything outside of reverence is not worship
D. We may sing and shout when we praise Him but when we worship we stand before Him knowing that at any moment He could take the breath of life in which He gave us.
1. Understand, however, that this fear of the Lord is a reverent fear and not a fear as of the “boogieman”
2. It is an honoring fear a reverential fear that gives recognition to God for His greatness, His mercy and loving kindness
3. Though art worthy O Lord to be honored, to be reverence—I owe you my life—my eternal state is because of You—and I worship you Lord—I bow in your presence and recognize who You are in light of who I am.
Summary: Worship is not about us but about God. Worship is honoring God for who He is. Worship is coming into the presence of God—How do you come into the presence of an almighty God? Many today think that worship should be this or that—worship should be as God intended. A time of devotion to Him in recognition of who He is.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

SUSTAINING WORSHIP

SUSTAINING WORSHIP
John 4:20-24

WHO IS TO WORSHIP?
A. We have read this text, heard it taught, maybe even taught it ourselves. It is a popular text. To often only a surface teaching is taught. The surface teaching is usually taught as (God seeks, or desires, to be worshipped, and if you are going to worship God you must worship Him in spirit and in truth)
1. This is not a false statement but it does not reveal all of what Jesus is teaching the woman at the well.
B. We need to look at the context. The woman states that there were discrepancies as to where God is to be worshipped—the Jews say Jerusalem, while the Samarians say in the mountains (most likely the place where Jeroboam set up worship when the kingdom divided)
1. Jesus tells her that she don’t know what she worships. He then teaches the woman that the time has come when God is going to be worshipped in spirit and in truth.
a. No longer in a place but through the spirit of man and in truth
2. Jesus tells the woman that the Father seeks (desires), not for any and all but for the true worshippers to worship in this manner.
a. Yes it is God’s will that all men live according to His will—in that they accept Christ, baptism, church membership, live for Him—
3. However, Jesus refers to a certain type of people that God desires to worship Him. He desires for true worshippers to worship Him in spirit and in truth. (antecedent of “such” is “true worshippers”
C. Now before Jesus how was God to be worshipped? In Jerusalem ONLY
1. Only those who went to Jerusalem were true worshippers—those in Samaria were false worshippers—before they could be true worshippers they had to accept the truth concerning worship.
D. Jesus ushered in a new dispensation of how God was to be worshipped. God still desires true worshippers to worship Him
true worshippers: In OT those who worshipped God according to how God commanded—under the law it was in Jerusalem at certain times with ceremonies etc—(they were in the will of God) In the New Testament those who worship God through His Son—saved, baptized, member of Lord’s New Testament church. (in a position to worship God)
in spirit: Spirit (πνεῦμα) is the highest, deepest, noblest part of our humanity, the point of contact between God and man (Rom_1:9); while soul (ψυχή) (seat of emotions) is the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions,
in truth: every aspect of truth—motive, manner— To worship in truth is not merely to worship in sincerity, but with a worship corresponding to the nature of its object.
1. In spirit—as apposed to worship conducted through rituals and ceremonies. In truth—as apposed to worship that involved types and shadows instead of reality.
2. True worshippers worship God in spirit and in truth. Worship should center in the worshipper’s own spiritual nature, moved by the Holy Spirit and focused on the unseen but omnipresent God (Romans 8:14, 16, 26)
3. Acceptable worship calls for:
a. regular and frequent assembling of oneself together with the church (Hebrews 10:25)
b. total dedication of oneself to God as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
c. offerings of praise, good works and monetary gifts (Hebrews 13: 15, 16)
d. prayers for all kinds and classes of people (1 Timothy 2:1-3; Revelation 8:3, 4).
E. What about exciting services that amp you up?
1. The only part of the flesh that is acceptable in worship is the part of the flesh that houses our spirit.
2. God cannot be worshipped with, in or by emotions—therefore creative worship services are unscriptural—adding something to appeal to the flesh.
Summary: The Bible establishes that not all men can worship God, but only those who will accept God’s truth concerning worship—one who is a true worshipper of God. God desires true worshippers to worship Him in spirit and in truth. As members of the Lord’s New Testament church we are responsible to sustain the worship of God. We do this by worshipping God in spirit and in truth—anything outside of this is false worship.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

The Apostle Paul, when writing to Timothy, wrote, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15).

The Lord's New Testament church is the "pillar and ground of the truth". The church is responsible for contending for the faith, upholding truth. In these days it seems that pillars are cracking and the ground is unstable. Instead of standing firm and supporting the truth many churches are falling away from the truth.

Why is this happening? Why are we allowing the truth to fall?

1. We seek entertainment over the "foolishness" of preaching

2. We seek excitement over reverence

3. We seek experience over worship

4. We self serve instead of sacrifice

The Lord called and commisisoned His church to preach the gospel, baptize the saved, and train up disciples. When the Lord's churches forsake the commission they are forsaking the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Preachers be warned. There was a certain king who lead Israel into idolatry. This king was taken captive; while in captivity he repented from his evil and God restored him to his kingdom. When the king returned he attempted to compel Israel to stop worshipping idols. He made some changes, destroyed some things that hindered the people. Then comes the oh so true words concerning apostasy, "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places,..." (2 Chronicles 33:17).

Apostasy is a one way street; once you are on the road it only leads further away from the truth. Some may say, well preacher I don't teach apostasy and our church doesn't either. Praise the Lord; I must, however, propose this question,Where does apostasy begin?

Apostasy doesn't begin with the total abandonment of the truth but subtly sneaks its way into churches that seek excitement and entertainment; into churches that believe that their must be something more--this is what Satan used against Eve.

The Lord's New Testament churches are the pillars and ground of the truth. Let us keep truth in the Lord's churches. Let us stand and proclaim it in these last days. Let the thrill seekers find their excitement in the false religions of the world, but let the Lord's churches offer the truth. It is the truth that sets men free, not entertainment and excitement.

LLL

The Rapture

There are diferent views concerning the time when the Lord will resurect the saved. Some believe this event will take place Pre-tribulation, some Mid-tribulation, and James Post-Tribulation. :)

There are three things one needs to know concerning the "rapture"

1. He is coming because He said He was

2. No one knows when

3. Be ready

The Bible proves these three truths.

If you want scriptures look them up yourself--this is a blog not a commentary. :) (got the smilies down Bro. Snide)

L.L.L.

Scriptural Baptism

Do You Have To Get Wet To Have Scriptural Baptism?

Did the scape goat ever find his way back?

On the Day of Atonement one goat was sacrificed and one was a scape goat. The scape goat was taken outside the camp and set loose in the wilderness.

I wonder if he ever tried to return?

Do you think that some red-neck Israelite went out after it?

If the scape goat returned did he bring with him the sins that were placed on him?

Were did the goat go?


L.L.L.