THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS - WORSHIP (PART 2)

A TIME OF PRAISE & WORSHIP

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy…. And they fell down and worshiped him.”

Matthew 2:10-11



"The hope and fears of all the years
are met in THEE tonight" - Phillips Brooks

Worship was such an important part of that first Christmas. The wise-men worshiped Jesus in the house where they found him. The prophetess Anna and Simeon worshiped in the temple. The shepherds’ hearts were filled with praise as they hurried to find the child and then shared the good news with others. The place of worship was different for all of them but their HEARTS were overflowing with praise and adoration.
Do we take the time to worship the Lord during this Christmas season? It doesn’t really matter whether we worship in our home, in our church, at a Christmas concert or banquet or maybe it’s, ‘on the run,’ as we dash through the mail and hear the music, “Silent Night”. The only thing that matters is that our HEARTS are lifted in praise and worship to the Lord. Is there a song of praise on our lips at Christmas? How easy it is to see the work, feel the burdens and be aware of the frustrations instead of seeing the glory, the gift and the Savior.
GOD WITH US
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
This is Christmas. This is EMMANUEL: God with us. This is the advent – the coming of the Lord. God invading history. The one who invented it coming into it and submitting himself to all his own rules.

The teaching of the New Testament is that now, at this very moment, there is a Man in heaven appearing in the presence of God for us. He is as certainly a man as was Adam or Moses or Paul; he is a man glorified, but his glorification did not dehumanize him. Today he is a real man, of the race of mankind, bearing our lineaments and dimensions, a visible and audible man, whom any other man would recognize instantly as one of us. But more than this, he is the heir of all things, Lord of all lords, head of the church, firstborn of the new creation. He is the way to God, the life of the believer, the hope of Israel, and the high priest of every true worshiper. He holds the keys of death and hell, and stands as advocate and surety for everyone who believes on him in truth. SALVATION comes not by accepting the finished work, or deciding for Christ; it comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, the whole, living, victorious Lord who, as God and man, fought our fight and won it, accepted our debt as his own and paid it, took our sins and died under them, and rose again to set us free. This is the true CHRIST; nothing less will do. (from the pen of A. W. Tozer)
Articles from - Two Thoughts Each Day ( http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog )

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS - WORSHIP (PART 1)

For To Us A Child Is Born
To Us A Son Is Given
And The Government Will Be On His Shoulders
And He Will Be Called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince Of Peace
Isaiah 9:6

Christmas is a time of joy and giving. Christians all over the world commemorate this occasion because "God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ ..." (John 3:16)
In our celebration, we proclaim the Good News with carols on the streets and we expressed the loved of God to the world with our gifts to the needy and the orphans. In the midst of all these activities, do you know that the Spirit of Christmas is WORSHIP? All those who came to meet Jesus at the manger WORSHIPPED ...
The Wisemen
"Where is the one who has been born king of Jews? we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2)
"On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh " (Matthew 2:11 - note: worship before gifts)
The Angels
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appreared with angel praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men ..." (Luke 2:13)

The Shepherds
"The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all the things they had heard and seen ..." (Luke 2:20)
Simeon The Godly Man
"... Simeon, who was a righteous and devout ...took Him in his arms and praised God ..." (Luke 2:25-33)
The Prophetess Anna
" ... she gave thanks to God ..." (Luke 2:36-38)
As we celebrate this year's Christmas, let us reserve the best gift for our Lord - WORSHIP!

EMMANUEL - God Is With US

Christmas Blessings
TPWC

THE ESSENCE OF TRUE WORSHIP

"True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is a spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

John 4:23-24

The dictionary defines "Essence" as the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work. So when we speaks of the Essence of Worship, we are speaking of that "True Worship" which God is after.

The Greek word (Strongs G4352) for worship - PROSKUNEO: 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

The Hebrew word (Strongs H7812) for worship - SHACHAH:  - to bow down, to prostrate oneself  before God in worship

All of those in the Bible who encountered the living God in His glory fell on their face in worship. Both the Greek and Hebrew word speak about "bowing down" - do we see this often in our weekly worship service? Or more directly do we personally practice bowing down in our personal worship? But if bowing down becomes a form than it becomes a ritual and that's what God hates! (see Proverb15:8). When our worship becomes superficial, it is an attempt to brush Him off and get on with the self-life. It bears the appearance of devotion, but there is nothing of relationship in it - no love, no honor, no passion.  

The Essence of True Worship is an attitude of the HEART that continually acknowledges God and values His character. In order for us to understand the Essence of True Worship, we need to go the Bible and apply the Law of First Mention, a pronciple that states the first time a word or idea is mentioned in Scripture is significant, for it sets a foundation and framework for any other time the word is udsed throughout the Scripture.

We first see the word "worship" in Genesis 22 in the account of Abraham offering up his son Isaac. "And Abrahais m said to his young men stay here with the donkey, I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you" (verse 5 emphasis added). Abraham did not go up to the mountain with a guitar or to sing a slow song. He was going up there to offer his most precious son Isaac! - this is the original context of the Essence of True Worship!  

What is the Essence of True Worship? What does it mean to present yourself as "living sacrifice"(Romans 12:1)? Is there a set time and place for it, or does it encompass all of our lives? Worship defines the relationship between God and His people and touches every aspect of our existence.

Apostle John W. Stevenson in his book "Worshiper By Design - A Unique Look At Why We Were Created" aptly defines that "A WORSHIPER - is one who is INTIMATELY acquainted with, and has a DAILY relationship with GOD exhibited through OBEDIENCE."  The life of a "Lifestyle Worshiper" involves Faith, Obedience and Sacrifice:

Worship Is In The Heart and not in the art

Faith - Without faith it is impossible to please God
Obedience - Doer of the WORD 
Sacrifice - Bowing Down to His ways
Reverence - The Fear of the LORD 
Holiness - Set apart for His GLORY 
Fellowship - Friend of GOD

THE ESSENCE OF TRUE WORSHIP is more than singing a song, a good feel or nice lyrics led by a worship team in the corporate gathering. We often think of worship as words and songs that come out of our mouths. It is so much more. It is a LIFESTYLE, a sacrificial way of living that acknowledges every moment of every day that there is ONE far more worthy of our allegiance than ourselves. When His interests consisitently supercede ours, and we act accordingly, we are worshiping.

TPWC will attempt to share and expound more on the series of the ESSENCE OF TRUE WORSHIP in the forth coming posts.

Have a blessed week!
TPWC
Worship is in the HEART and not in the art.

THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP - TRUE WORSHIP ANTICIPATES CHRIST'S RETURN

Jesus taught in several parables how important it is for his servants to be ready for the Master's return. The instruction is made explicit in the admonitions to "abide in Him; that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him" (1 John 2:28). "looking forward to these things," we are to "be deligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14).

Also, the Bible teaches that we should find comfort in the prospect of our LORD's return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Indeed, our love for Jesus should be so great that His near return is our fondest hope. Paul expressed this outlook when he wrote, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day: and not to me only, but to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).
Jesus taught repeatedly that it is not for us to know when our Master will return (Luke 12:40, 46; 21:34; Matthew 24:44; 25:13). In fact, He said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew24:36). The reality of Christ's imminent return - and the idea that we must be ready for it at every moment - should affect the way we think, talk, and live. It should also affect the way we worship. Would we want to find us occupied in mere "religion" when He returns? Or in worship that is more concerned with meeting our own needs than with glorifying Him? Or in worship in a place where His WORD is denied? Of course not!
Some of the last words in God's Revelation to John emphasize the imminent return of Christ and the need for His servants to faithfully keep His words. As John himself learned in this passage, when we are tempted to allow our worship to become skewed, the principles of the WORD of God correct us and drive to TRUE WORSHP.
As we near the end of the Book of Revelation, John is faithful to record even his own monetary failures to heed God's WORD. First, when the apostle witnesses the joyous marriage supper of the LAMB, he is overcome. John turns to the angel messenger who has conducted him through heaven, "and [he falls] at his feet to worship him."
But he said to Me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. WORSHIP GOD! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)
Then a second time, when John had at last seen everything granted to him to see - captured by Jesus' glorious promise to come again quickly - the apostle was overwhelmed. " I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things" (Revelation 22:8). John worshipped the messenger instead of the Author of the message.
John's failure warns us of how easy it is to stray in our worship. In fact John erred twice. If this beloved apostle could deviate in his worship , even while being enlightened by an angelic messenger specially sent by God, so can we. What, then, is the remedy for misdirected worship? The angel's response to John and to his wrong worship is instructive.
"Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. WORSHIP GOD." (Revelation 22:9)
First, the angel corrected John, clearly stating that his activity was wrong. It was outside the boundaries of God's word. Although the apostle was sincere, the messenger from God pointed out that John was in error. It is to John's credit that he did not become offended, as do so many in our own day when unbiblical practices are exposed.
Second, the messenger offered John an important reminder. Although angels are superior to mankind in many ways, both the angel and the apostle were created beings and fellow servants of God. All of us are created to serve God for His glory. To Him alone belong all worship and honor. Even in our churches, often, we pay more attention to the messenger than to the message. Like John, we end up worshiping a fellow created being and servant, rather than the One to whom all our worship is due.

Finally, the angel declares to John the most important lesson of all. When the apostle tried to worship the angel the first time, the angel stated to John that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." This statement means, quite simply, that the Person and message of Jesus is the ESSENCE OF ALL TRUE PROPHECY. TRUE WORSHIP focuses on the One who is TRUTH! The second time John erred, the angel reminded him that God's servants are people who "keep the sayings of this book." It is the words of the Book that keep our focus on its Author and drive us to bow before Him in TRUE WORSHIP, worship that honours Him alone! This same Book - the WORD OF GOD that is "forever ... settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89), declares that the return of Christ is imminent. He is coming again! Since this is so, "what manner of persons ought you to be" (2 Peter 3:11).
When we think of the awesome power of God who at this very moment is working out His great redemptive plan, our response can be only this: We must recognize His majesty. We must be humbled by His grace and mercy, We must be emptied of self and we must fell on our faces before our God in TRUE WORSHIP!