kayte
Sep 9th 2004, 05:08 PM
Prayer Chapter 11
As we work toward knowing God in prayer, one of the natural outcomes we experience is worship.
We've often gathered together with other believers for times of worship… to sing songs of adoration, to exalt His name. But there is a place of worship where we can live, a place where our very lives are an act of worship.
In Greek one meaning of the word worship is: To kiss toward. This is such a beautiful definition, one portraying intimacy in relationship. It’s a definition of love.
Do you love Him? Does your heart cry out with longing to see His face? Do you consider Him to be worthy of your unfailing devotion and obedience?
In John 4:23-24 Jesus talks to the woman at the well.
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Jesus isn't talking simply about the act of worship but the life of worship. To live before God with self bowed down. To live knowing our need for Him.
To live knowing that He alone is perfect.
That He alone is Just.
That He alone has the power to save.
That He alone created all things.
That He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Jesus said we are to worship Him in spirit and truth. What does that mean?
First, in order to worship in spirit, our spirit must be made alive to Him.
Many believe in God and offer an intellectual worship, yet are spiritually dead in their sins. Jesus tells us clearly in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” And again in verses 5-6, Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Those that only claim belief intellectually fabricate and fashion their own god, taking enough truth to float their lies in order to comfort themselves in their spiritual condition, insulating themselves from His light, and sadly insulating themselves from knowing Him as well.
Revelation 4:8-11
And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
"Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!"
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the thrown, saying:
"You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power,
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created."
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."
Revelation 5:12-14
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!"
And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Worship in spirit and in truth.
When we look into the vision with John, we find truths in the heavenly worship. Truths that ring clearly of Who God is.
In verse 8 we find:
1) He is Holy.
2) He is the Lord God Almighty; there is none greater than He.
3) He is eternal.
Verse 11
4) He is truly worthy to receive glory, honor and power.
Think of it. After all is said and done, this is what we will know, this is what we will proclaim, that He is worthy.
Here and now we often say that He is, but do we live in it? Do we give Him all glory and honor, or do we keep back just a pinch for ourselves… gloating in our talents, our strengths, our good deeds, our intelligence, etc?
Do we live surrendered to His power or do we play tug-of-war preferring to retain some semblance of control?
You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things
And by Your will they exist and were created.
5) He is the creator. Of all things. And only by His will do they exist. Only by His will were they created.
Do you believe He created all things? Those in heaven do. They aren't patronizing God here, they're stating a fact worthy of worship.
There is no hesitation in heaven believing that God created all things. On earth, it's a very different matter.
One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.
The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost."
God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest." To which the scientist replied, "Okay, great!"
But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."
The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt. God looked at him and said, "No, no, no. You go get your own dirt!" (Author unknown)
#
Our heavenly Father created all things and in Him all things exist. There is nothing made that He did not make.
Verse 9
6) He is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. He is worthy because He is just. He is just because He created all things in the heavens and on earth, and when mankind rebelled against Him, He left heaven and paid the full price (His own innocent blood) to redeem us back to Himself. He was slain for our sins and is worthy to judge.
7) Salvation is available to all, of every tribe, tongue, people and nation, by the blood of Jesus Christ. God is not prejudice. He welcomes all and unites us in one name, the name of Jesus.
8) He makes us kings and priests to our God. In the world kings and priests are looked up to and served. In God's design, kings and priests are servants, meant to lead, help and minister to the needs of others. Ministering (serving) before God.
Notice this isn't an office one earns or is voted into. It’s purely one we are called to by Jesus Christ Himself. This isn't an occupational choice, but the heart of God beating in the lives of His children.
And we shall reign on the earth.
Study to show yourself approved. Know God.
Verses 12-13
9) Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…
Our tears and our sorrows will be wiped away, yet we will never forget that Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain in our place. He is worthy, forever and ever.
#
Father in heaven, one day each of us will stand before You and worship at Your throne. Our lives will be joyously consumed with worshiping You and attending to Your work. Father, help each one of us to live that way here… now. Make our lives living acts of worship.
You are worthy.
In Jesus we come.
Amen.
Study questions
1) When we consider worship as a way of life, what are some of the fruits that will be produced in our lives?
2) We’re instructed to set aside times of worship (Ephesians 5:19-20) and those times are so good. Set aside times of shared worship are so good and we're instructed to this. What are some of the benefits of obeying this command? What are some of the things we lose if we neglect to do this?
3) Do you live your life as an act of worship? In what ways? In what ways do you not?
4) Do you trust God to be worthy to receive all glory, honor and power in your life? Why or why not? In what area’s is the Lord speaking to you right now that you need to turn over to Him, making your worship truer?
5) Have you ever gone through a time when you believed lies about God? How did you confront those lies and how were your eyes opened to the truth?
6) What are some of the lies that you see the world or the church embracing?
7) Are there areas in your life, in your heart, that you willfully hold back from the Lord? What do you gain by hanging on to those things? What do you gain by bringing them before God?
copyright 2002 tkc
As we work toward knowing God in prayer, one of the natural outcomes we experience is worship.
We've often gathered together with other believers for times of worship… to sing songs of adoration, to exalt His name. But there is a place of worship where we can live, a place where our very lives are an act of worship.
In Greek one meaning of the word worship is: To kiss toward. This is such a beautiful definition, one portraying intimacy in relationship. It’s a definition of love.
Do you love Him? Does your heart cry out with longing to see His face? Do you consider Him to be worthy of your unfailing devotion and obedience?
In John 4:23-24 Jesus talks to the woman at the well.
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Jesus isn't talking simply about the act of worship but the life of worship. To live before God with self bowed down. To live knowing our need for Him.
To live knowing that He alone is perfect.
That He alone is Just.
That He alone has the power to save.
That He alone created all things.
That He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Jesus said we are to worship Him in spirit and truth. What does that mean?
First, in order to worship in spirit, our spirit must be made alive to Him.
Many believe in God and offer an intellectual worship, yet are spiritually dead in their sins. Jesus tells us clearly in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” And again in verses 5-6, Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Those that only claim belief intellectually fabricate and fashion their own god, taking enough truth to float their lies in order to comfort themselves in their spiritual condition, insulating themselves from His light, and sadly insulating themselves from knowing Him as well.
Revelation 4:8-11
And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
"Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!"
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the thrown, saying:
"You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power,
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created."
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."
Revelation 5:12-14
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!"
And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Worship in spirit and in truth.
When we look into the vision with John, we find truths in the heavenly worship. Truths that ring clearly of Who God is.
In verse 8 we find:
1) He is Holy.
2) He is the Lord God Almighty; there is none greater than He.
3) He is eternal.
Verse 11
4) He is truly worthy to receive glory, honor and power.
Think of it. After all is said and done, this is what we will know, this is what we will proclaim, that He is worthy.
Here and now we often say that He is, but do we live in it? Do we give Him all glory and honor, or do we keep back just a pinch for ourselves… gloating in our talents, our strengths, our good deeds, our intelligence, etc?
Do we live surrendered to His power or do we play tug-of-war preferring to retain some semblance of control?
You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things
And by Your will they exist and were created.
5) He is the creator. Of all things. And only by His will do they exist. Only by His will were they created.
Do you believe He created all things? Those in heaven do. They aren't patronizing God here, they're stating a fact worthy of worship.
There is no hesitation in heaven believing that God created all things. On earth, it's a very different matter.
One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.
The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost."
God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest." To which the scientist replied, "Okay, great!"
But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."
The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt. God looked at him and said, "No, no, no. You go get your own dirt!" (Author unknown)
#
Our heavenly Father created all things and in Him all things exist. There is nothing made that He did not make.
Verse 9
6) He is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. He is worthy because He is just. He is just because He created all things in the heavens and on earth, and when mankind rebelled against Him, He left heaven and paid the full price (His own innocent blood) to redeem us back to Himself. He was slain for our sins and is worthy to judge.
7) Salvation is available to all, of every tribe, tongue, people and nation, by the blood of Jesus Christ. God is not prejudice. He welcomes all and unites us in one name, the name of Jesus.
8) He makes us kings and priests to our God. In the world kings and priests are looked up to and served. In God's design, kings and priests are servants, meant to lead, help and minister to the needs of others. Ministering (serving) before God.
Notice this isn't an office one earns or is voted into. It’s purely one we are called to by Jesus Christ Himself. This isn't an occupational choice, but the heart of God beating in the lives of His children.
And we shall reign on the earth.
Study to show yourself approved. Know God.
Verses 12-13
9) Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…
Our tears and our sorrows will be wiped away, yet we will never forget that Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain in our place. He is worthy, forever and ever.
#
Father in heaven, one day each of us will stand before You and worship at Your throne. Our lives will be joyously consumed with worshiping You and attending to Your work. Father, help each one of us to live that way here… now. Make our lives living acts of worship.
You are worthy.
In Jesus we come.
Amen.
Study questions
1) When we consider worship as a way of life, what are some of the fruits that will be produced in our lives?
2) We’re instructed to set aside times of worship (Ephesians 5:19-20) and those times are so good. Set aside times of shared worship are so good and we're instructed to this. What are some of the benefits of obeying this command? What are some of the things we lose if we neglect to do this?
3) Do you live your life as an act of worship? In what ways? In what ways do you not?
4) Do you trust God to be worthy to receive all glory, honor and power in your life? Why or why not? In what area’s is the Lord speaking to you right now that you need to turn over to Him, making your worship truer?
5) Have you ever gone through a time when you believed lies about God? How did you confront those lies and how were your eyes opened to the truth?
6) What are some of the lies that you see the world or the church embracing?
7) Are there areas in your life, in your heart, that you willfully hold back from the Lord? What do you gain by hanging on to those things? What do you gain by bringing them before God?
copyright 2002 tkc