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SCRIPTURE - John 4:23-24                                                                                                                                                                AUGUST, 2007

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

SUBJECT - To worship, or to Worship, that is the Question


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The subject for this month, concerns one of the most important areas of a Christian’s walk with the Lord, and that is, the area of Worship. For as the subject scripture says, God is seeking those that truly want to Worship Him, and tells how they should worship Him.

And friend, today, there is a ‘BIG’ difference in what God means by Worship, and what we think worship is.

In practically every church service, which takes place on Sundays, and in some instances, on Saturdays, you have come to understand that it is a Worship Service. this means that the service is dedicated to giving God, our full and undivided attention. Everything that is done in that service, from the prayer, praise, the sermon, the offerings, right on down to the altar call, and baptism, are all the signs of our focusing totally on God, and what He wants.

You could say, our desire is, to please, Him. That, my friends, is ‘True Worship’, and no one would argue that point.

However, it is not so much, what occurs in these services, that I am going to address, as much as it is, the mindset of the majority of the individuals, that take part in this service, because it is the mindset that reveals whether a person is worshiping, or Worshiping God.

First, let me say this. I am not going to judge anyone, because I don’t know most of you, well enough to, as it were, point fingers at you. Besides, I need this message, as much as you do. When God gives me a message, He gives it to ‘me’ first, then tells me to pass it on, to you.

Don’t think, that I am, or any other preacher is, in the position where what we preach, doesn’t apply to us, first. Nevertheless, since none of us is perfect, then you have to realize, God has to use imperfect people, to preach His Perfect Message. And, our response to that message, will reveal just how much we really worship Him.

Now, just what is worship?? I mean, what defines worship??

Well, I would define it as this.

When your greatest desire is to, pattern your entire life, mind, soul, and body, after an individual, then you have achieved the ultimate in worship of that individual. You, in effect, become a carbon copy of that individual.

In the case of Christ, the Christian, should be striving to become a carbon copy of Christ. It is, Him in us, and us in Him. It is Him, living His Life through us. In fact, the word Christian means, Christ like, or ‘little Christ.’

This is exactly what the ‘Father’, is looking for. And this is exactly what most Christians, are failing in.

Sure, they go to church every Sunday. Sure they sing praises to God. Sure they run down the aisles with tears in their eyes, falling at the altar, in repentance. Sure they get enthusiastic when hearing the word of God, preached under the anointing of God, through the Holy Ghost. They say Amen, to everything.

Is this worship?? Or is it Worship??

Well, the difference between the [w], and [W], depends on what is really in their hearts. For it is the heart that reveals which ‘w’ fits your situation.

The bible says, Prv 23:7 For as he [a man or woman] thinketh in his/her heart, so is he/she:......., Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

In both of the above scriptures, we find the word, ‘heart.’ And, it is the heart, that literally defines who a person is. Because the ‘heart’, is the core of an individual. It is their foundation. And I am not talking about the fact that the heart, pumps the blood to all the body, and that without it, we would die. No, I am talking about what God says, makes up the personality of an individual. In other words, the spirit.

When you look at the title of this message, you see the word worship, twice. Once with a small [w], and once with a capital [W]. The two [w]’s denote [w = worldly worship], while the other [W = True Spiritual Worship.]

So the question being asked is, which type of worshiper, are most Christians??

I would submit to you, that most Christians, fall in to the category of the worldly worshipers of God, meaning that they only worship God, if at all, in the context, or confines of a church service, or when surrounded by like minded individuals.

Why is this??

There are many different reasons, but, they all boil down to comfort.

They don’t want others to think they are some type of religious ‘nuts.’ they don’t want to stand out, in a crowd. They just want to blend in, and go unnoticed, if at all possible. they don’t want to ruffle any feathers, or get people mad at them.

They also despise Godly correction, and those that strive to be ‘all that they can be’ in God. They are,, what the bible describes as ‘having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof 2Tim 3:5, meaning, they are really acting the part, with no real intention of wanting to please God.

Did you know there is power associated in Godly living?? That’s right. The more Godly a life you live, the more power, and influence you will have with God. That is what the above scripture means.

And what do we find in many of these people’s lives??

They are always complaining about how everything is going wrong in their lives. They lose their jobs. Their kids are going wild. They always seem to be miserable, sick, or afflicted with some sort of disorder. Everything they put their hands to seems to fail.

Does this ring a bell??

Maybe it is happening to you.

You may need to check yourself, and see just what your spiritual life is like.

Does the term, ‘It don’t take all that!!’, ring a bell??

This is usually a sign of the disapproval of these Christians, to the actions of others, that truly, Worship God.

Now, the Christians, that are the true Worshipers of God, may, or may not carry on in the Worship service in church, the way others might, meaning that they are not necessarily real emotional, unless the Spirit, really moves them to be, and, some would say, they lack any evidence of worshiping God, but remember, God knows what is in their hearts.

Performance in church, is not evidence of whether or not a person is sincere in their worship, but rather, how they carry themselves outside of church, outside of the comfort of the 4 walls, and being among others, in the church.

Let me remind you of this.

The Christian, is supposed to desire to please the Father. Well, in order to do that, you have to be willing to please Him, 24/7, not just on Sundays, Saturdays, or while in church.

True Worshipers, are the ones that you see, and hear, always talking about Christ, and what the bible says about situations, all of the time. You get in to a conversation about problems in the nation, the world, or just in the community, and they immediately say, ‘You know, the Bible says,.....’

When asked about who they support in the elections, they look for the person, or party, that holds closest to the directives that God has put before us, to follow.

They realize, that, any problems that we have, are, for the most part, the result of our getting away from what God has told us to do.

When the bible says, that, ‘the True Worshipers, will Worship Him, in Spirit, and in Truth’, it means that they will always be seeking the Truth, and when they find it, they will change their minds, if necessary to align themselves with that Truth, no matter who says otherwise.

The worshipers, rely on others to tell them what is the truth, and what makes them feel comfortable, and will not change, no matter what evidence is presented showing that their belief is wrong.

One only has to look at Jesus, and what do we see??

First, He did everything, to please, the Father. Not His friends. Not His earthly parents, or family. Not the politicians, or religious leaders, and, not even Himself. Remember, He could have easily refused to be beaten, and crucified, but chose to do so, because it was what the Father wanted Him to do so He could save, us.

That, my friends is the type of Worship, God is looking for. Not all of this running down the aisles, falling out on the floor, shouting, jumping up and down, crying, and all of the rest of the things you see going on in the church that appears to true worship of God. Because, as you know, or at least should know, looks can, and often are, deceiving.

There are singers, and actors, that could put all of us to shame, as far as making it appear they are serious in what they are doing, when in reality, they are just acting.

Even some preachers, with all of the carrying on they do when preaching a message, will make someone like myself, look like some inexperienced novice, that can’t even get a person to say amen, let alone, jump up and shout.

But, that’s ok. I’m not here to necessarily, make you want to jump and shout. I am here, to tell you the Truth. And believe me, in a lot of instances, you will feel more like covering your ears up, unless you are a Worshiper of God, than listening to me.

In the case of this message, you might not have read this far, if you were not on the right track. You would have stopped before now.

The subject scriptures say, ‘the time will come, and now is........’, meaning, we are now, and have always been in the position to be True Worshipers, but even moreso today, as we see wickedness, and all manner of evil, permeating our communities, this nation, the world and especially the church.

It is usually during times of stress, and where there appears to be no hope, that we turn to God, sincerely.

Remember 9/11??

A lot of foolishness, that many Christians, involved themselves in, was cast aside, and they started returning to God, as Worshipers, not just for Sundays, but 24/7.

But, just like the bible says, like the pig that returns to the mud, and the dog to the vomit [Prv 26:11, 2Pet. 2:22] as soon as things started looking up, these Christians returned to their old ways, as worshipers.

The purpose of this message, is not me trying to judge you, but rather for you to, ‘take a good look at, and judge yourself, and you will not be judged’ [1Cor. 11:31].

Now, what are the benefits of being a Worshiper??

Well, for starters, You will be more blessed than the worshiper. God will answer your prayers more. He will deliver you more. He will put you above others. You will be the head, and not the tail. He will, in other words, prosper you in all areas of your life. No good thing, will He withhold from you.

You see, if you want God’s best for your life, then you will have to be willing to pay the price. And that price is, to be a Worshiper of God.

Are you a worshiper, or a Worshiper???

If you are a worshiper, then you probably can see why you are not experiencing all that God has for you. You are half stepping with Him, so He is half stepping with you. If you want His best, then you have be willing to give your best.

You have to be willing to seek Him in everything you do, 24/7. Nothing should be left out. Even the insignificant things, that you think, don’t matter.

Why?

It’s these little things that can lead to disaster, simply because we tend to overlook them.

God is looking for you. He wants you to be a Worshiper. A True Worshiper so He can prosper you, to be what He knows you can be.

Just pray this prayer, right now, meaning it from the heart. “Lord Jesus, I am sorry, for not being the person You want me to be. You are my Lord, and I want to be pleasing in your sight, and in the Father’s. Help me to be that person, everyday, all day. Don’t let me slip in to the comfort of worldliness, but strengthen me, to proclaim your Word, and be the example to my family and generation, as you are to all of us. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer from the heart, you are a Worshiper, again.



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