PRETENCE OF WORSHIP
"And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.'". - Matt 2:8
Looking at how people troop into the place of worship; one may be deceived to think everyone has come to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Some have indeed come in flesh and deceit, and out of curiosity to slander the preacher and find fault. They have carefully dressed to give false worship. It is not everyone who comes to church that is a worshipper; the loudest of hallelujah from that individual can turn to be the harshest of criticism.
Over the years many have confused church attendance for worship, many have confused church work for deep relationship, many have confused membership for salvation and many are still lost in the midst of grace; not knowing whom they serve, no effect of worship. The worst of it all is that they are not a bit uncomfortable; they cherish such cold traditions and they are planning to hold on to it with their lives and hand it over to the upcoming generation.
Like Herod, those who pretend worship want to kill the truth, they come with an outward appearance of adoration but it is protecting of their traditions and heritage they fight for. They don't want to be unseated out of the throne of ignorance, they go in search of all truths of the Word and call every it heresy; every demonstration of the Spirit is 'extreme'; and they say they 'worship'.
Pretence of Worship can be about you as an individual, admiring the charismatic Jesus; but never submitting to His Lordship. It can be about you and your constant struggle with the convictions of the Spirit. It could be about your secret life that is dark, yet your outward mode of worship is all a 'show'; it could yet be about your allegiance to other gods, yet association with the church.
The Lord sees beyond your pretence and demands that you come to the light.
WORSHIP WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
"So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet." - Acts 8:27-28
This Ethiopian eunuch had the means to go all the way to Jerusalem for worship yet he didn't understand a thing about who he went to worship. Did he not ask questions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit that took place on the day of Pentecost? Was he so concerned about the routine bowing of heads than he was about his soul? I do not imply that he was wrong to do these things... In fact, he did a noble thing.
Though it was right to go through all methodologies and routines of visiting Jerusalem, it would have been profitable if he had understanding of the One whom he went all the way to worship. Thank God that the Angel used Philip and he found true salvation. Thank God he was teacheable enough to allow Philip mount his chariot, thank God the man encountered Jesus. It wasn't about Jerusalem anymore, it was about the knowledge of Him who created Jerusalem.
Sometimes, we just confuse commitments for knowledge, though it is noble to always attend church early and do all you can; but it is more noble that the eyes of your understanding be open. It is better that the truth of the person of Jesus settles in your heart rather than showing dedication without revelation, it may be risky. I also know that at those points of engagement, the Lord would have wanted to open your understanding, it may just be that you are concerned about the location more than the Locator.
"Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.'" - John 4:21-23
It is good to go to Jerusalem and have 'JP' attached to your name; but it is better to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth here first. If you embark on pilgrimage without a knowledge of Him - you are just a tourist. It is no longer about the location dear friend; it is now about the revelation of the person of Christ. It is no longer about you sleeping on the altar alone anymore, it is about the revelation of the person of Jesus.
When you catch a revelation of the person of Jesus, going to Jerusalem, and mountains will become more fruitful for your spiritual walk and no longer an achievement to brag about with men. It will humble you to more thirst, it will help you to adore better, it will no longer be about attendance but participation in the Awesomeness of worship; your face would be changed, you will be stronger.
Don't drain your energy where you won't be teachable, stop pretending worship, start to be enlightened in the knowledge of Him. True worship can only come in the knowledge and revelation of the Object of worship. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, 'You worship what you don't know'; that should tell you that worship comes with the revelation and knowledge of Him. Don't just sing slow songs as worship. Worship with your life, because you KNOW Him
NO REGARD FOR ORDER
"And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, 'It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honour from the LORD God.'" - 2Chro 26:18
Pride entered into king Uzziah and he decided to usurp the role of the priest, he felt because he has achieved many things, he was in the class of the pastors and prophets - he also wanted to conduct the worship service his own way. The pastor is too local, the people don't know modern ways of preaching - he felt he had the latest scriptures and thinks; he was suppose to be the priest.
I see a lot of brethren in church these days who think their pastors are there for nothing; they remain in the church only because they want to 'take over'; they can't be blessed under their pastor, so they want to start a 'fellowship' of their own; they want to have their own followership and reign supreme their own way. This is nothing but pride and usurping of power.
Even after the rebuke, King Uzziah wouldn't bulge; he was the king and won't soft-pedal for anyone, how dare this common priest Azariah challenge him, he became furious; but right there and then, leprosy broke out on his forehead, they had to thrust him out of the temple, even he himself was ashamed. That incidence became the beginning of the end of his reign, till death took over.
"Let all things be done decently and in order." - 1Cor 14:40
Even where the power of God is moving strongly, order should still be adhered to, one should not become so obsessed with attention that they can't respect that there is a way to go about things. There are brethren who can't come to church without insisting on mounting the pulpit, even though they know whom the Lord is leading them to; they prefer to mount the pulpit as if they are on the mountain. It is just going to be an exhibition of the flesh.
The reason why many signs and wonders have brought confusion is because we do not respect order; we think every move of the spirit has to be dramatic, we think every Word must be accompanied with a shout, we think every message must come with a weeping. Trust me, these things will happen; but for the worshippers without understanding it may only serve as an illusion, the working of the Spirit does not come with confusion.
It is possible you have access to some materials and truthfully, your pastor may have some shortcomings, your corrections should not be confrontational, it shouldn't bring about disrespect for constituted authorities appointed by God over you. Remember, your primary goal is to worship, and if you attend the fellowship as a critic, you are only pretending worship.
AT THE PLACE OF WORSHIP
"Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." - Lev 10:1-2
When we come to the place of worship, and I am not just speaking about 'slow song' sessions; I mean when we gather for service; the pastor or leader must be careful not to bring strange patterns alien to the scriptures. The minister of the Lord must be careful not to become loosed with the sanctity of the place of worship. The pastor must also reverence God and not become too 'familiar'.
These two sons of Aaron who were consumed by fire, were suppose to lead the people to worship; they wanted to modify the pattern, they wanted to import strange fire and didn't glorify the Lord whom all came to worship. Don't become overzealous, don't always think it is you the people came to see; don't ever forget that you too are not excluded from the worship. God holds the minister responsible for the 'way' the people worship when they gather.
Why is your heart not bowed before the Lord at the place of worship? Why are you not broken by the Word you so profess, why have you failed to let the people know the importance of worship; how come this worship has become a casual affair for you more than what it used to be? Would you stop the profanity on the altar and reverence the one who chose You by grace to worship Him.
"Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His will, He hears him." - John 9:31
Worship is your life, that's why even though the idol worshippers don't have a session for 'slow songs'; we still call them 'idol worshippers'. Your worship comes from whom you pay allegiance to, your worship is about the One whom you reverence, your worship is about who is your Master. It may not necessarily about the songs you sing!
It will be profitable for the pastor and his congregation to get a reorientation of what worship is about, and that would entail, teaching the people to first offer themselves as Living Sacrifice for it is their reasonable service.
CONCLUSION:
Worship can be faked, it is not in attendance and location, it is about the revelation of Him; and worship should not be disorderly; it shouldn't confuse people. Worship is the life.
God bless you and I love you.
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
Looking at how people troop into the place of worship; one may be deceived to think everyone has come to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Some have indeed come in flesh and deceit, and out of curiosity to slander the preacher and find fault. They have carefully dressed to give false worship. It is not everyone who comes to church that is a worshipper; the loudest of hallelujah from that individual can turn to be the harshest of criticism.
Over the years many have confused church attendance for worship, many have confused church work for deep relationship, many have confused membership for salvation and many are still lost in the midst of grace; not knowing whom they serve, no effect of worship. The worst of it all is that they are not a bit uncomfortable; they cherish such cold traditions and they are planning to hold on to it with their lives and hand it over to the upcoming generation.
Like Herod, those who pretend worship want to kill the truth, they come with an outward appearance of adoration but it is protecting of their traditions and heritage they fight for. They don't want to be unseated out of the throne of ignorance, they go in search of all truths of the Word and call every it heresy; every demonstration of the Spirit is 'extreme'; and they say they 'worship'.
Pretence of Worship can be about you as an individual, admiring the charismatic Jesus; but never submitting to His Lordship. It can be about you and your constant struggle with the convictions of the Spirit. It could be about your secret life that is dark, yet your outward mode of worship is all a 'show'; it could yet be about your allegiance to other gods, yet association with the church.
The Lord sees beyond your pretence and demands that you come to the light.
WORSHIP WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
"So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet." - Acts 8:27-28
This Ethiopian eunuch had the means to go all the way to Jerusalem for worship yet he didn't understand a thing about who he went to worship. Did he not ask questions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit that took place on the day of Pentecost? Was he so concerned about the routine bowing of heads than he was about his soul? I do not imply that he was wrong to do these things... In fact, he did a noble thing.
Though it was right to go through all methodologies and routines of visiting Jerusalem, it would have been profitable if he had understanding of the One whom he went all the way to worship. Thank God that the Angel used Philip and he found true salvation. Thank God he was teacheable enough to allow Philip mount his chariot, thank God the man encountered Jesus. It wasn't about Jerusalem anymore, it was about the knowledge of Him who created Jerusalem.
Sometimes, we just confuse commitments for knowledge, though it is noble to always attend church early and do all you can; but it is more noble that the eyes of your understanding be open. It is better that the truth of the person of Jesus settles in your heart rather than showing dedication without revelation, it may be risky. I also know that at those points of engagement, the Lord would have wanted to open your understanding, it may just be that you are concerned about the location more than the Locator.
"Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.'" - John 4:21-23
It is good to go to Jerusalem and have 'JP' attached to your name; but it is better to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth here first. If you embark on pilgrimage without a knowledge of Him - you are just a tourist. It is no longer about the location dear friend; it is now about the revelation of the person of Christ. It is no longer about you sleeping on the altar alone anymore, it is about the revelation of the person of Jesus.
When you catch a revelation of the person of Jesus, going to Jerusalem, and mountains will become more fruitful for your spiritual walk and no longer an achievement to brag about with men. It will humble you to more thirst, it will help you to adore better, it will no longer be about attendance but participation in the Awesomeness of worship; your face would be changed, you will be stronger.
Don't drain your energy where you won't be teachable, stop pretending worship, start to be enlightened in the knowledge of Him. True worship can only come in the knowledge and revelation of the Object of worship. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, 'You worship what you don't know'; that should tell you that worship comes with the revelation and knowledge of Him. Don't just sing slow songs as worship. Worship with your life, because you KNOW Him
NO REGARD FOR ORDER
"And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, 'It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honour from the LORD God.'" - 2Chro 26:18
Pride entered into king Uzziah and he decided to usurp the role of the priest, he felt because he has achieved many things, he was in the class of the pastors and prophets - he also wanted to conduct the worship service his own way. The pastor is too local, the people don't know modern ways of preaching - he felt he had the latest scriptures and thinks; he was suppose to be the priest.
I see a lot of brethren in church these days who think their pastors are there for nothing; they remain in the church only because they want to 'take over'; they can't be blessed under their pastor, so they want to start a 'fellowship' of their own; they want to have their own followership and reign supreme their own way. This is nothing but pride and usurping of power.
Even after the rebuke, King Uzziah wouldn't bulge; he was the king and won't soft-pedal for anyone, how dare this common priest Azariah challenge him, he became furious; but right there and then, leprosy broke out on his forehead, they had to thrust him out of the temple, even he himself was ashamed. That incidence became the beginning of the end of his reign, till death took over.
"Let all things be done decently and in order." - 1Cor 14:40
Even where the power of God is moving strongly, order should still be adhered to, one should not become so obsessed with attention that they can't respect that there is a way to go about things. There are brethren who can't come to church without insisting on mounting the pulpit, even though they know whom the Lord is leading them to; they prefer to mount the pulpit as if they are on the mountain. It is just going to be an exhibition of the flesh.
The reason why many signs and wonders have brought confusion is because we do not respect order; we think every move of the spirit has to be dramatic, we think every Word must be accompanied with a shout, we think every message must come with a weeping. Trust me, these things will happen; but for the worshippers without understanding it may only serve as an illusion, the working of the Spirit does not come with confusion.
It is possible you have access to some materials and truthfully, your pastor may have some shortcomings, your corrections should not be confrontational, it shouldn't bring about disrespect for constituted authorities appointed by God over you. Remember, your primary goal is to worship, and if you attend the fellowship as a critic, you are only pretending worship.
AT THE PLACE OF WORSHIP
"Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." - Lev 10:1-2
When we come to the place of worship, and I am not just speaking about 'slow song' sessions; I mean when we gather for service; the pastor or leader must be careful not to bring strange patterns alien to the scriptures. The minister of the Lord must be careful not to become loosed with the sanctity of the place of worship. The pastor must also reverence God and not become too 'familiar'.
These two sons of Aaron who were consumed by fire, were suppose to lead the people to worship; they wanted to modify the pattern, they wanted to import strange fire and didn't glorify the Lord whom all came to worship. Don't become overzealous, don't always think it is you the people came to see; don't ever forget that you too are not excluded from the worship. God holds the minister responsible for the 'way' the people worship when they gather.
Why is your heart not bowed before the Lord at the place of worship? Why are you not broken by the Word you so profess, why have you failed to let the people know the importance of worship; how come this worship has become a casual affair for you more than what it used to be? Would you stop the profanity on the altar and reverence the one who chose You by grace to worship Him.
"Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His will, He hears him." - John 9:31
Worship is your life, that's why even though the idol worshippers don't have a session for 'slow songs'; we still call them 'idol worshippers'. Your worship comes from whom you pay allegiance to, your worship is about the One whom you reverence, your worship is about who is your Master. It may not necessarily about the songs you sing!
It will be profitable for the pastor and his congregation to get a reorientation of what worship is about, and that would entail, teaching the people to first offer themselves as Living Sacrifice for it is their reasonable service.
CONCLUSION:
Worship can be faked, it is not in attendance and location, it is about the revelation of Him; and worship should not be disorderly; it shouldn't confuse people. Worship is the life.
God bless you and I love you.
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
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