AUTHENTIC WORSHIP
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Dear
fellow travelers,
Psalm [ESV] 119:10-16 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your
commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin
against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I
declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on
your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
John 4:24 [Jesus explained] God is spirit, and those who worship him must
worship in spirit and truth.
How do we know what authentic worship is?
Am I truly worshipping in the way pleasing to
God? (Not pleasing = Not worshipping.)
Always striving for Acts 17:11 Berean
nobility, we look to God’s Word for answers.
What does “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex.3:14), the Word, Living and written, say on the topic? Or do we without personal
question or individual analysis lazily rely on tradition, our own ideas, or how worship makes ME feel?
We know that “exceeding reverence” of Jehovah
God Almighty is essential ingredient for authentic worship. For “Fear is the
beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr.1:7; 9:10)
This veneration can never be apart from genuine “Thy will be done” trusting that
His will may be preservation, diminishment, or demise.
God clearly explains worship throughout His Word (written) and by
the Word (the Lord). We would do well to search from Genesis through Revelation, of itself being worship exercise, but in the interest of your getting to other
responsibilities this day, I’ve chosen one summarizing
passage: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will
of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I
say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith
that God has assigned.” (ESV Rom.12:1-3)
We must not let ego, self-esteem, it feels
good for me, get in the way of God’s utmost all-wise supplying. His measure is the ultimate standard, not
ambience or sophistication. Reality is
as Jesus pointed
out to Hebrews; it is possible to be very religious and yet
not be worshipping Him.
What does the Word say? What is the whole
counsel of God? Are we reverencing deliverance to heaven sans recognition of freedom from past
“condemned already”? (Jn. Chapter 3) Do we tell others His Truth as an act of
worship?
And then there is praising in enumerating and pondering the mercies of
God whether congregating with brethren or surrounded by hell-bound unbelievers.
Counting “the
mercies of God” is very much worship pleasing to our Lord and King:
·
Unearned
and undeserved blessings.
·
His
imputed righteousness unto everlasting redemption.
·
Justification!
·
Sanctification.
·
Freedom
indeed.
·
Available
daily deliverance from self.
·
His
eternal love.
·
His daily
and continuing grace.
·
Christ’s
ongoing intercession.
·
His
comforting and convicting Holy Spirit.
·
Blessed
assurance. Absolute eternal security.
·
Faith that
is not inert.
·
His
provision for strength. (For those interested I’ve a study file on the topic.)
·
Joy
unspeakable.
·
Forgiveness
always available.
·
John 1:12
family empowerment.
·
A “sound
mind” apart from fearful living.
·
Wisdom
immeasurable. “the mind of Christ”
·
Training
in life skills, especially patience.
·
Position
of ambassador of reconciliation.
·
Equipping
to serve Him and our fellows.
And much much more; all of which leads us to
whenever wherever to “present our bodies a living [quickened, alive!!] and holy
sacrifice.”
To serve
Him all our days,
EBB4
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