Worship in Spirit

On Sunday Morning our tradition is to come together to “worship” God. We have translated this to what happens during the worship hour relating music and preaching to worship. The problem is worship has become an action rather than an attitude.

If we define worship as an action which we do, then we can check it off for the week by attending a “Worship Service.” If worship is defined as an attitude then it becomes a lifestyle.
Webster defines Worship as:
1. chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (as magistrates and some mayors)
2. reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence
3. a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
4. extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem

In middle English this is worshipe worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being, from Old English weorthscipe worthiness, respect, from weorth worthy, worth + -scipe –ship.

The Old Testament word most often translated as worship is shachah (appears in 166 verses, strongs H7812) which means to bow down. Bowing down is showing respect, trust and honor. When we bend the knee we give the opportunity for the person standing over us to strike us down.

There are two words which the New Testament often translates as worship:
doxa – (Strongs G1391, appearing in 151 verses)- Estimate of a person, in NT adding glory & Honor. Splendor, brightness, Glorious condition
proskyneō – (Strongs G4352, appearing in 54 verses) means to kiss the hand, to bow down, to kneel.
Some would also add the Greek word latreuō (Strongs G30000, appearing in 21 verses) which means to serve, and its Hebrew equivalent `abad (Strongs H5647, appearing in 263 verses), again relating to serving (in the Temple) or as a servant serving a master.

So … Worship is to serve and pay respect to God because the Lord is worthy. If I understand the role of a servant correctly, it does not mean “one who makes a visit one hour a week in order to sing songs which convey our adoration for the Master and hear instructions which can be disregarded or put off until we come the next week … if we feel like it.”

Worship is an attitude we carry in our hearts and minds all day, every day, because we count our Master, the Lord our God worthy of our respect, our honor, and our life. We seek to carry out His every wish as we live our life. We seek to meet with the Lord every morning because we love Him and desire to please Him. Each morning we share our Love for Him and receive instructions, with frequent check points through the day to share our Love and to make sure we are on track. We attend church on Sunday to share fellowship with those who are like minded. Our duties on Sunday include, encouraging “one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Worship: in Spirit and in Truth

John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

There is a sin which is afflicting our churches today. The sin is exclusionism in our worship services. I do not think we mean to be exclusive. I do not think we intentionally ban people from worship. But in practice as we shape our desires into our worship service we miss the mark of God’s desire.

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., once said "it is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning." While we think we are open to all, through the selfishness of our hearts we are now more exclusive than we were in the 1950’s. While we have made strides to include people of other races and cultures within our worship, our loss of care for others has built within America many age segregated congregations.
Churches “target” age groups. They sing only Contemporary Worship Songs, or Traditional Hymns in order to please perceived constituents. We send children out so “they can enjoy their time,” and we can worship “without being disturbed” by our kids. In doing so, we push aside the very things God teaches us. (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; 11:2; Matthew 19:13-14; Leviticus 19:12-18; 19:32; Proverbs 17:6; John 13:35)

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman, he immediately faced her exclusionist spirit. She said, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman.” She enjoyed being around people who were like her, and she desired to exclude those who were not her type.

Jesus began to deal with the woman and the things which shaped her:
1. She was drinking from her well. Jesus is the Living Water
2. She saw faith through her nationality and culture. Jesus wants us to see things from God’s perspective.
3. She wanted to do things in her strength. Jesus wants us to get out of the way so God can do His work.
4. The woman asked for Living Water for selfish purposes
5. Jesus called attention to her sin, the woman desired to hide this truth.
6. The woman tried to evade truth. Jesus showed her she must open her spirit for God’s involvement.
7. The woman desired to be comfortable in her worship. Jesus said she must open her life so God could move.

Because “God is Spirit,” He reads the intent of our hearts. Is worship more about ourselves and our style … or about God and His desire to draw all people to Himself. Does our worship bring people together (Acts 4:32), or exclude those not like us. Are we willing to learn from others and expand our hearts, or do we desire our worship service to fit a certain “culture.”

How do we know if we are exclusionary? We must look at numbers (are we growing or retracting). We must look beyond numbers to see if people are leaving … and why they are leaving. Does our style offend them? (Matthew 5:23-24, 43-48ff). We must be open to the truth.

Worship should be a time we come together, and give our all to God. We must care for others, and they must care for us. And we must truly look to God. We must worship in Spirit and in Truth. Our spirit must be right within us and we must acknowledge truth.

Culture and Heritage

This week has been interesting. God has placed us in a fascinating world full of people – each with their own culture.

Chelsea was given an assignment relating to racism. As we talked we thought about issues of racism, for we belong to a persecuted people group. One of my grandfathers changed his name – possibly to blend into his new country. Another grandfather was refused lodging in North Carolina because he was Jewish.

My grandparents came to America in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the hopes of a better life. They were poor and persecuted in their home countries, (My great grandfather Tbatznik punched a Cossack during a pogrom, which is why he had to leave Russia – traveling through Romania, Italy and France before immigrating to the United States) and came to America, the land of opportunity.

We talked about a friend of Chelsea’s who immigrated from Mexico. After eight failed attempts, she finally successfully entered the United States on her ninth crossing of the Rio Grande. Her family has made a life for themselves in the United States and successfully become productive members of their community.

Sarah is working on our new Hagaddah, which shares the Jewish custom of Passover so gentile Christians can cross the culture barrier and understand the world in which Jesus lived. We want Christians to understand the story of the Exodus which is central in our faith. Hopefully it will be publish “A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition” next week.

Tonight during a scout meeting aimed at earning the God and Country badge we looked at heritage. Among the group were people born in North Carolina, Mississippi, Florida and Kazakhstan. We shared from Baptist, Catholic, Jewish and Orthodox backgrounds. Our experiences were diverse. But we had one thing in common – Christ.

Christ helps us overcome differences, appreciate culture, and work together for a higher goal … to reach our world with the Gospel. The name Jesus means “Salvation” (one of the answers in tonight’s meeting). We are to reach all people with the message of Salvation.

I work with all ages of adults from college to Senior Adults. One of the cultural things that comes up from time to time is music. Each group enjoys music from their generation and culture. We are to rally around the name of Christ – and enjoy the variety God gives us in life.

Jesus said this, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Connecting With God

God invites us to dine with Him. This is where people often talk. When we sit and eat, we have time to talk. Often we dine with others. And while we eat we talk. God knows this, so He purposely created times we can include Him at our table.

I imagine it was this way in the Garden of Eden. The Lord and Adam walked in the cool of the day. As they walked the Lord showed Adam the wonders of His creation: Strawberries, Blueberries, Oranges, Apples, Lemons, Kiwi, Peanuts, Almonds, and a bushel of other tastes designed to bring joy to the palate.

God’s desire for relationship with us did not end when Adam and Eve were forced from the Garden. God continues to desire for us to come to Him. God desires to be part of our daily walk and show us things as we travel along life’s journey. But in our busy lives we often fail to notice.

The Bible tells us that Abel brought acceptable sacrifices to God. In the days of Enosh men began to call upon the name of the Lord. Enoch walked with God. God told Noah to build a boat – it was going to rain. And Noah heard God’s instructions. God called Abram from the land of the Chaldeans to worship Him, the Most High God.

Abraham followed God. He sought God daily, in every place he lived, and often throughout the day. And God came to Abraham. We see (in places like Genesis 18) that they ate together. God wants us to dine with Him. God wants us to recognize that He is the giver of all good things. He plans for our sustenance (Psalm 37:25). And the Lord desires that we recognize His presence even as we eat.

There are various meals laid out for us in the Scripture. Like the Passover Feast, the Thank Offering, the Lord’s Supper and the Agape Feast. Eventually we will join God in the great banquet in Heaven. I invite you to explore these in my book – Spring: Connecting with God.

Spring: Connecting with God

My father is getting older. Because he can not come and see me, I am trying to visit him on a more regular basis. The drive to Knoxville where he lives is four hours long. There is a lot of time to think as I travel in the car. During the spring, a couple years ago, I was thinking about how to publish "A Passover Hagaddah in the Christian Tradition". As I drove and thought, another outline came into my mind, or, was given to me, which is how "Spring: Connecting with God" came to be written.

The Lord impressed on me how important our relationship is with Him. Often we live our busy lives without realizing how present and approachable God is to us. It is God's desire that we recognize His presence and include Him in our conversations and our lives. God desires that we give thanks for the good things of life (like the new leaves coming out in the spring), and that we ask for His wisdom in every decision. God desires that we live close to Him.

All too often people live their lives without recognition of God’s presence. Throughout the day God lays out things for us to notice. It could be a beautiful sunrise or sunset (they are different every day). It could be a rainbow (which is a promise from God for which to give thanks). It could be a formation of geese, leaves on the trees, flowers or some small animal that is sitting by the side of the road. It could be the view as we cross the mountains or plains. But God places things in our path to notice.

Our daily plan can be so full that we miss the things God sets out for us. Daily we set our agenda, often without including the Lord in our plans or in our lives. We go about our business furiously in order to get everything accomplish. We pass by the things that God has placed in our path. When the Lord orchestrates a chance meeting, or makes an activity easier we fail to see His hand in it, and we do not take time to give thanks or to pray.

Sometimes even our Bible Study and Prayer time become routine. God does not want this. He wants our communion with Him to be vibrant and alive. In Genesis 3:8 we learn that God walked with Adam in the cool of the day. This was not a one time event meant to bring fear in Adam’s life. These were daily walks with the Creator where God could show His love for man, and where man could share His love for God, talking about anything and everything. God desires a two way relationship with each of us. ...more about this next blog ...

Passover Celebrations

Passover has always been a special celebration for me. I remember when I was young we used to go to my Uncle and Aunt’s home for the Seder. In the afternoon we would play games and enjoy being with family: my two sisters and cousins.

When evening came, we would gather around the table and celebrate the age old traditions with the Chase Sanborn Coffee Haggadah for the American Family. My Uncle Stuart would lead the Seder and add his traditional humor to the evening making it a lot of fun for everyone in the family.

When we moved north, my family continued to use the same Hagadah and celebrate Passover every year. This tradition continued for me even when I went to College. I remember my Junior year when I brought a friend to my sister’s house. We realized it was Passover, so we quickly put together a Seder from memory. We did not have a bone - no problem, my sister had dog biscuits. The Seder went well, and created an experience all of us still remember.

When I went to Seminary, I became part of a Messianic (Jewish Christian) Community. The community desired to have its own Haggadah. So with the help of another Jewish Believer and a Local Pastor, we put together our own Haggadah. Some of it came from the pattern I had been brought up with. The other Jewish Believer had grown up Orthodox, causing me to look into how Seders are celebrated in differing Jewish traditions … and how Passover has changed over time.

After graduating Seminary, it was natural to share the Passover experience each year with others. I have taken the Haggadah we created, and I have adapted and made it my own over the years. I have shared the Seder in churches, in homes of friends, and with my daughter’s friends in New York (which was fun because the Hagaddah includes a play, and we had an actor who participated). The Seder has been shared from my book, it has been adapted to be shared as a sermon (with powerpoint), one year the Seder was shared at my church with over 400 in attendance. I asked a member of the church interested in drama to direct the three short skits. She turned it into a full production … with dance and music, which is also a great memory. Each Seder being a unique experience which I always enjoy as I interact with others in the Seder Service.

Having celebrated and led Passover Seders for over 50 years, my wife said, “You ought to publish your Seder.” Which is being done as we produce AA Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition. But a great thing happened along the way. … (next blog)

Amidah 19 – Grant us peace

There is a desire within each of us for peace. This yearning for peace can be for different things, such as world peace; peace within our families or between friends; a desire for people to just leave me alone; or for the torments which bother my soul to cease. We live in a world which lacks peace. Jeremiah wrote, “We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror.” (8:15; 14:19)

The final prayer of the Amidah is a prayer for peace:
Grant peace everywhere goodness and blessing,
Grace, lovingkindness and mercy to us and unto all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one with the light of Your face;
For by the light of Your face You have given us, Adonai our God,
The Torah of life, and love of kindness, and righteousness and blessing and mercy and life and peace;
And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace.
Praised are You, Adonai, who blesses Your people Israel with peace.

It is appropriate that the final benediction of this prayer is for peace, for the whole prayer lays out the source, the process and the desire for peace.

The source of peace is God: The Amidah begins by looking at God as the source of the answer of prayer. The first benediction looks at the God of our fathers. So many have turned away from this, even though the testimony of the fathers points to God as the source of Peace. The second benediction explains God is the One who can answer prayer. God is the One who is all-powerful. The third benediction looks at the God who is Holy. Perhaps this is why we fear. We are sinful men. Sinful men find no peace.

We want God to grant peace, goodness and blessing. We want Him to show us lovingkindness and mercy. We want the light of His face to shine upon us. But, God is Holy, and we are sinful people, and as long as there is sin, there is no peace.

This prayer guides us as we seek peace with God who forgives our sin. The next steps in this prayer have shown us how to receive forgiveness for sin: We pray for wisdom (4) and understanding of how we sinned and how we can grow closer to God. Understanding leads to repentance (5), which leads to forgiveness (6), which leads to redemption (7) from affliction and healing (8).

During the Amidah we pray for deliverance from want (9). The real yearning in this request is for peace. Jeremiah gave us the hope of peace in this way, “I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it." (30:6-9)

Jeremiah says, “The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.” (30:14-16)

Paul wrote it this way in Ephesians, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

“Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” (Jer 30:11 and 1 Chron 16:34, 41; 2 Chron 20:21; Psalm 7:17; 106:1; 107; 118:1; 136:1; Isa 12:4)

True peace can only come from God. If we find peace from any other source, it is of cheap quality. We are to seek God and His peace. The “peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Jesus speaks of this peace at the end of His life: "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“ (John 14:25-27)

And so we end the Amidah asking God to grant peace. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:7-8)