Title: True Worship / Bible: John 4:21-24
Worship is the best action and the best value that human beings can offer to God. Nothing is more important than worship to God. Humans are born to worship and praise God.
Isaiah 43:7 says, “Everyone who is called by my name, I created for my glory.
Let one come There is a saying that says, “I made them and made them.” Human beings are beings that were created for the glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, all things are God. Do it for the glory of God.” This shows that all actions in life exist for the glory of God.
Then, what is the thing that pleases God the most and is glorified? It is worship.
God wants and delights in God's children the most by sanctifying the Sunday day to glorify and worship God. That is why today's text also says, "The hour is coming, and now is the hour, when those who truly worship the Father will worship Him in spirit and truth, for the Father is looking for those who worship Him like this."
The people God is looking for in this age are those who worship Him in spirit and truth.
So, from today onwards, we want to have more meaningful and lively worship times by realizing the true meaning of worship and the method of worship in more depth.
I. Ministry without worship is a tree without roots
True worship is to give all of my being to Him, to Him worthy of honor and glory. It is not offered through human efforts, methods, or means, but is a living sacrifice offered with the help of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word.
A picture of what true worship is is found in John 12 of the Bible. There are representative comparative paintings of two or three people, the first of which is the figure of Mary. “Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume, pure nard, and poured it on Jesus’ feet, and washed his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the smell of perfume.” I did. Mary is the woman who represents worship. Mary witnessed the Resurrection and Life, the Messiah of Christ. So Mary did not hesitate any longer, poured all of her perfume on Jesus' feet and washed her feet with her hair, as precious as life. This is true worship. However, it is difficult to find such a person in the church.
The second is the figure of Martha, who symbolizes the tired and exhausted ministry.
“Martha was busy with many preparations.” (Luke 10:40) This is the explanation for the ministry. Martha, who was tired of thinking only about her work, seemed to hate Mary who was only worshiping and felt uncomfortable. So I started complaining about her. The big problem with the church is that there are a lot of these kinds of believers. Comparatively, the core of these people is not worship, but ministry. When I saw the times when I myself could not give grace to the sermon, I felt that it was time to do the preaching work without trying to worship God myself. Therefore, true worship must be a form of living sacrifice and devotion offered in the truth of the Word and with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The third figure is like Judas Iscariot who criticizes and ridicules true worship.
Judas Iscariot symbolizes people who do not understand worship or ministry at all. In the church, these people are hidden unintentionally. I even see some churches being manipulated by the judgment and opinions of these people. They care for the poor and represent the oppressed. They are people who cry for social justice and are busy working hard both internally and externally, but they have absolutely nothing to do with Jesus. A formal religious practice without true worship and gratitude is like a tree without roots.
II. True Worship and False Worship
It can be said that the highest priority for Christians is worship to God.
The difference between Cain and Abel can be said to be the difference between true worship and false worship. In addition, the top priority of Old Testament Israel is focused on worship. The essential and most acute problem between them and God was that of idolatry and spiritual adultery. The first thing the Israelites did wherever they went, whatever they did, was to build an altar to God and build the tabernacle. We know throughout the history of Israel that when they did not serve God properly and worshiped foreign gods and idols, they lost their country and had to be driven out. It is this problem that the growth of the Korean church is slowing down right now. Where do the helplessness, chaos and countless conflicts in the church come from? This is a problem that arises because there is no worship in spirit and in truth. Outwardly, they listen to the Word and sing hymns, but there is no true confession of sin, determination, and devotion in worship.
It is gradually losing its power. The problem with the Korean church is not that it lacks the Word, nor does it lack service, fellowship, and evangelism. This is a problem that arises from the absence of true worship, which is crucial even though we have everything. No events are taking place in the worship service. Worship should not be a form and tradition that is repeated intermittently, but should allow us to meet the Lord. Regardless of whether it is a large church or a small church, the presence of God, the events of the cross and resurrection of Christ, and the powerful works of the Holy Spirit are to be revealed where true worship is held. When we truly feel God's presence, we are deeply shocked and challenged by both those who lead worship and those who participate in worship. Not only that, when you put on the power of the blood of the cross or the power of resurrection, you will experience that sins will be destroyed, Satan's forces will depart, and all weakness, diseases, and forces of darkness will recede. And when the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit arise, people will experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, what is true worship? It is worship in spirit and in truth.
These words are worship based on the Word of God. It is not only the joy and thrill of salvation, but also the worship of the sealing of the Holy Spirit and the worship of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In other words, it is a worship service of praise, thanksgiving, and worship to God offered by the inner man. At the same time, true worship is the event of Christ's life, cross, resurrection, second coming, and judgment that takes place in the proclamation of the Word.
Ⅲ. We are looking for true worshipers.
So, how should we offer true worship?
First, we must earnestly long for the help of the Holy Spirit.
When we feel the presence of God, the appearing of Christ, and the absence of the work of the Holy Spirit, we should beat our hearts and be sorry. Just as a deer longs for a brook, we must pray and cling to the Lord so that this river of living water, that is, the power of the Holy Spirit, can be manifested in all our worship with emotion, love, power and grace. When we feel that God's presence and the work of the Holy Spirit are not there, we should beat our hearts and feel sorry for them. (Bible lecturing is not the only skill.) Worship without repentance is false worship.
Second, we must continue to abide in the Word.
True worship is worship that exalts the Word. Emphasizing the mysticism and experience that sets aside the Word can lead worship to fanatical faith. God is gracious and yet a God of order. All gifts and powers are also gifts from God given in the exaltation of the Word.
Third, we must pray and praise.
True worship always requires repentance for past sins and a time of grace to entrust one's weakness and seek forgiveness. When our inner man truly repents and prays to the Lord, the Holy Spirit will come upon us and we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and the anointing will be revealed to lead to true worship.
In conclusion, let me tell you.
It is no exaggeration to say that the secret of true revival, power, and holiness depends on how we worship. First of all, I myself must pray before worship and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit so that I can receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we listen to the Word with the desire of our hearts to live, our worship will become a powerful worship where the Holy Spirit lives and works.
From: 210.101.23.170
live in this belief
Bareun Spirituality Posted on : 2000-10-05 23:35
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