Pharisees are known as the “Pious ones.” Often we put Pharisees down because we see criticism of this sect in the words of Jesus...Mt 23:26; Luke 18:10, however in doing so, we do not see the full picture of who the Pharisees were.
The Hebrew word which is at the root of the title Pharisee (פָּרַשׁ) means to make distinct, clarify, distinguish or separate. The Pharisees were interested in clarifying what the word of God meant so they could understand and follow it better. Josephus said of the Pharisees “The Pharisees are those who are esteemed most skillful in the exact explication of their laws,” (Josephus Wars 2.8.14; Antiquities 18.1.3)
There were many classes of Pharisees. Some of the Pharisees were ultra orthodox (Luke 11:38). Some were more moderate. During one period there were opposing pairs of Pharisees (zugot) who discussed everything (see chart on page 70 of book Spring: Connecting with God). An example of this are the famous arguments between Hillel and Shammai.
Nicodemus was a commendable Pharisee. Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospel of John. In chapter 3 he visits Jesus one night to discuss his teachings. In John 7:45-51 Nicodemus is mentioned when he states the law concerning the arrest of Jesus during the Feast of Passover. Nicodemus also assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial. (John 19:39–42)
Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus seeking truth at night. Many speculate why at night. Was he trying to hide? Or this could be a symbol Nicodemus was coming out of the evil world, and into the light of Jesus (John 9:4; 11:10; 13:30; 21:3). Or maybe he worked, and he was on his way home or came when Jesus was available.
Nicodemus was impressed by the works of Jesus. Jesus had changed water into wine (his first sign), and performed many other signs. Josephus says of Jesus: "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ." (Antiquities 18.3.3)
Jesus shared a truth with Nicodemus: “You must be born again.” This is a truth that Nicodemus should have seen. Abram was born again (his name was changed to Abraham). Isaac was born again (on Mount Moriah). Jacob was born again (his name was changed to Israel). Moses was born again at the burning bush. Ezekiel talked of the new birth (18:31; 36:24-32; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Nicodemus wanted to know how a man could be born again. Could he enter again into his mother’s womb? (This would be as impossible as the nation of Israel going back to Egypt to dwell in the flesh). Jesus said, no, one must be born of the Spirit (wind), meaning we must be born of God. We don’t know how this birth comes about because it is not physical, it is by faith.
Jesus taught Nicodemus a lesson from Exodus 4:1-6. God told Moses to throw down his shepherd’s crook. It became a snake. God said, “Pick it up.” Moses thought “snakes bite!” And then because of faith … he picked it up. He trusted God.
If Nicodemus was to become God’s man, he must have faith he must lift up the name of Jesus, he must believe God’s one and only Son. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” (John 3:18)
Jesus said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19-21)
To be a Pharisee, serious about our faith can be a good thing or a bad thing. We always need to measure: are we over serious or under serious; are we theoreticians (about our faith) or do we believe on the Name of Jesus … and act on our belief. ... See the next blog (also written Sept. 20)
Friday, September 20, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Wedding
In this blog we visit a wedding, a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Un-named at this wedding are the Groom and the Bride. Some say this is Jesus and the Church. Others indicate the groom is one of the disciples. This is not explained in the story.
What is shared is that Jesus, his mother and his disciples are invited guests. They were in some way related to the bride or the groom. The bride could be a member of Jesus family. It is know n that Jesus had brothers (James, Joseph, Judas and Simon) and sisters. (Mark 6:3) These relatives would have been present at the wedding.
Jesus’ mother Mary was there, along with her sister Salome and her husband Zebedee and their sons James and John. Peter and Andrew were there. Nathaniel (Bartholomew) who was from Cana (John 21:2), as was Philip who was from the same town as Peter and Andrew. Philip was also a friend of Nathaniel of Cana. Jesus’ disciples thought he was a normal teacher, and they were committed to Him.
According to the tradition of the time, the groom’s family threw a party and fed the wedding guests. The Mishnah tells us, “If a man bought a Firstling for his son’s wedding feast or for a Feast, and he does not need it, he may sell it.” (Shebiith7.4, see also Hallah 2.7 and Matthew 22:2).
During the wedding the wine ran out. This could have been a great embarrassment to the groom’s parents, except that Mary was close enough to the family to discover this fact. She asked Jesus to make new wine. While it is clear that Jesus was not yet ready to show public miracles, He was obedient to his mother. Jesus told the servants to fill six jars full of water. Normally jars were filled 2/3 full of water, and then wine was added. The Mishnah says, “They may pour water over wine-dregs to dilute them, and strain wine through a napkin or Egyptian basket; they may put an egg in a mustard- strainer’ and prepare honeyed wine … All depends on the number of the guests.” (Sabbath 20.2)
After the jars were filled Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” The wine Jesus drew out turned out to be better than the wine which was served at the beginning. The disciples saw this and remembered. When this sign was performed the disciples began to understand.
Jesus said, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22) Something new was beginning. This was Jesus’ first miracle.
Jesus’ second miracle was also in Cana. This miracle is related in John 4:46-54, where he heals the son of a royal official. Jesus third miracle, also in Galilee, was to multiply fish and loaves to feed 5,000 people. The disciples were learning among them stood one they did not fully know. (John 1:26)
John the Baptist said, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. …The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine ... Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)
What is shared is that Jesus, his mother and his disciples are invited guests. They were in some way related to the bride or the groom. The bride could be a member of Jesus family. It is know n that Jesus had brothers (James, Joseph, Judas and Simon) and sisters. (Mark 6:3) These relatives would have been present at the wedding.
Jesus’ mother Mary was there, along with her sister Salome and her husband Zebedee and their sons James and John. Peter and Andrew were there. Nathaniel (Bartholomew) who was from Cana (John 21:2), as was Philip who was from the same town as Peter and Andrew. Philip was also a friend of Nathaniel of Cana. Jesus’ disciples thought he was a normal teacher, and they were committed to Him.
According to the tradition of the time, the groom’s family threw a party and fed the wedding guests. The Mishnah tells us, “If a man bought a Firstling for his son’s wedding feast or for a Feast, and he does not need it, he may sell it.” (Shebiith7.4, see also Hallah 2.7 and Matthew 22:2).
During the wedding the wine ran out. This could have been a great embarrassment to the groom’s parents, except that Mary was close enough to the family to discover this fact. She asked Jesus to make new wine. While it is clear that Jesus was not yet ready to show public miracles, He was obedient to his mother. Jesus told the servants to fill six jars full of water. Normally jars were filled 2/3 full of water, and then wine was added. The Mishnah says, “They may pour water over wine-dregs to dilute them, and strain wine through a napkin or Egyptian basket; they may put an egg in a mustard- strainer’ and prepare honeyed wine … All depends on the number of the guests.” (Sabbath 20.2)
After the jars were filled Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” The wine Jesus drew out turned out to be better than the wine which was served at the beginning. The disciples saw this and remembered. When this sign was performed the disciples began to understand.
Jesus said, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22) Something new was beginning. This was Jesus’ first miracle.
Jesus’ second miracle was also in Cana. This miracle is related in John 4:46-54, where he heals the son of a royal official. Jesus third miracle, also in Galilee, was to multiply fish and loaves to feed 5,000 people. The disciples were learning among them stood one they did not fully know. (John 1:26)
John the Baptist said, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. …The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine ... Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)
Monday, September 2, 2013
Who was John
Actually, there are two Johns in the passage for this week: John the Baptist and John the Apostle.
John the Baptist was the son of a Priest. We read the story of John in Luke 1:5-25, where we find the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth who are to have a child in old age. Zechariah is a priest of the priestly division of Abijah. He served on rotation at the Temple once every 24 weeks, plus during the three Harvest Festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles).
When Zechariah’s son John came of age, he probably also served as a Priest in the Temple. He would serve at the Temple with his father learning the traditions and the richness of his faith.
While young John the Baptist received a call of God to serve in a special way. He was to “”Bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:16). He was a Nazarite who was filled with the Spirit. His ministry was to call people to repentance, to baptize them, and to announce the coming of the Messiah.
When the Priests and his fellow Levites questioned John about his ministry he said, “I am a voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’" (Isaiah 40:3-5; John 1:23)
People came to John to be baptized (Luke 3:7-18; John 22-30) Some of these were from Galilee, and some were relatives of the Baptizer. One of these relatives might have been another John, the son of Zebedee and Salome (Mt 27:56). Salome was a relative of John the Baptist and Zechariah the Levite (Mark 15:40, Luke 1:36). She had two sons named James and John.
The name of Zebedee is interesting, it is from the Hebrew Zabedus (Strongs H2064-7, meaning a dowry, endowment of Jehovah, a gift) In Nehemiah 11:17, Zabdi is listed as the son of Asaph the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Zebedee might have been a Levite who served in the Temple. Zebedee’s son John probably served as a priest as evidenced by his “insider” statement in John 12:42-43, and the fact that he knew the High Priest (John 18:15-16) As we study the gospel of John, we will try to see the “insider” view offered by John.
Mark 3:17 says, “James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder).” According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon Boanerges seems to mean fiery and destructive zeal, which was a characteristic of both Johns.
John brought James to Jesus. Andrew brought Peter. Andrew and Peter fished with the sons of Zebedee.. We will see more relationships next week as we study John 2.
John the Baptist was the son of a Priest. We read the story of John in Luke 1:5-25, where we find the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth who are to have a child in old age. Zechariah is a priest of the priestly division of Abijah. He served on rotation at the Temple once every 24 weeks, plus during the three Harvest Festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles).
When Zechariah’s son John came of age, he probably also served as a Priest in the Temple. He would serve at the Temple with his father learning the traditions and the richness of his faith.
While young John the Baptist received a call of God to serve in a special way. He was to “”Bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:16). He was a Nazarite who was filled with the Spirit. His ministry was to call people to repentance, to baptize them, and to announce the coming of the Messiah.
When the Priests and his fellow Levites questioned John about his ministry he said, “I am a voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’" (Isaiah 40:3-5; John 1:23)
People came to John to be baptized (Luke 3:7-18; John 22-30) Some of these were from Galilee, and some were relatives of the Baptizer. One of these relatives might have been another John, the son of Zebedee and Salome (Mt 27:56). Salome was a relative of John the Baptist and Zechariah the Levite (Mark 15:40, Luke 1:36). She had two sons named James and John.
The name of Zebedee is interesting, it is from the Hebrew Zabedus (Strongs H2064-7, meaning a dowry, endowment of Jehovah, a gift) In Nehemiah 11:17, Zabdi is listed as the son of Asaph the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Zebedee might have been a Levite who served in the Temple. Zebedee’s son John probably served as a priest as evidenced by his “insider” statement in John 12:42-43, and the fact that he knew the High Priest (John 18:15-16) As we study the gospel of John, we will try to see the “insider” view offered by John.
Mark 3:17 says, “James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder).” According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon Boanerges seems to mean fiery and destructive zeal, which was a characteristic of both Johns.
John brought James to Jesus. Andrew brought Peter. Andrew and Peter fished with the sons of Zebedee.. We will see more relationships next week as we study John 2.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Word
This month we begin a new study in Sunday School: the Gospel of John.
There is something special in the Gospel of John. On the surface it is one of the easiest to understand of all the Gospels. Below the surface it is deep. This is because of the author (more to be explained in 2 weeks) is more than just an uneducated fisherman from Galilee (Acts 2:7). Not only was John a disciple of Jesus (which would be enough), but there is family background and experience which shows up in the background of John’s gospel.
John’s gospel is like taking a ship across the Pacific. From the deck of the ship we see a vast expanse of water and horizon. But there is also a different world: what is below the surface. The Pacific Ocean is deep (especially below in an area known as the Mariana Trench), and there is a lot below the surface which can be seen by divers and submarines. As I write this blog (each week I hope to add something), I want to look at what is below the surface that would be missed if you only skim the surface.
The Gospel of John begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
The Gospel of John opens in the beginning and before the beginning. Many say only God existed before the beginning. Philo, a Jewish philosopher from Alexandria said there was something else. Within God was the concept of all of creation. He calls this the Logos. God spoke a word (logos) and the Bible says, “there was light.”
Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). Genesis 1:4 says, “God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46) John tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5) “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Pr 1:7) Wisdom personified in Proverbs 8:22-23 says, “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.” “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place” (Proverbs 3:19)
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word (logos) is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19)
In the beginning was the Word ... and we are to share the Word so all will know Him.
There is something special in the Gospel of John. On the surface it is one of the easiest to understand of all the Gospels. Below the surface it is deep. This is because of the author (more to be explained in 2 weeks) is more than just an uneducated fisherman from Galilee (Acts 2:7). Not only was John a disciple of Jesus (which would be enough), but there is family background and experience which shows up in the background of John’s gospel.
John’s gospel is like taking a ship across the Pacific. From the deck of the ship we see a vast expanse of water and horizon. But there is also a different world: what is below the surface. The Pacific Ocean is deep (especially below in an area known as the Mariana Trench), and there is a lot below the surface which can be seen by divers and submarines. As I write this blog (each week I hope to add something), I want to look at what is below the surface that would be missed if you only skim the surface.
The Gospel of John begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
The Gospel of John opens in the beginning and before the beginning. Many say only God existed before the beginning. Philo, a Jewish philosopher from Alexandria said there was something else. Within God was the concept of all of creation. He calls this the Logos. God spoke a word (logos) and the Bible says, “there was light.”
Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). Genesis 1:4 says, “God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46) John tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5) “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Pr 1:7) Wisdom personified in Proverbs 8:22-23 says, “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.” “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place” (Proverbs 3:19)
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word (logos) is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19)
In the beginning was the Word ... and we are to share the Word so all will know Him.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Worship in Truth
There comes a point when we must examine or evaluate our worship experience. In yesterday’s post it was noted that worship is to serve and pay respect to God because the Lord is worthy. The heart of worship is to please God.
Because God is our Master, the Lord gives us instructions. “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)
Jesus reinforced this by saying "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." (John 13:34-35)
True worship gives importance to the things God has asked us to do. When we enter the sanctuary we must evaluate if the activity is about us … or about pleasing God.
One thing I have noted in some churches (and from some people) is that we do not want children bothering our worship. Jesus would say to us: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14) He said this for good reason. Moses said, “Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God.” (Dt 31:12-13)
It is of more importance to pass our passion and love for the Lord our God on to the next generation than to enjoy the ambiance of a worship service or home devotions ourselves.
Another detractor of worship in today’s churches is music (whether contemporary or traditional). Many feel music should be about what the individual enjoys … even (look around!) to the exclusion of others. Jesus said, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (John 4:12) Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Again, (Deuteronomy 31:12-13), God wants all people to be present in our worship services. Generally congregations should include young adults, senior adults, children, youth and parents. Music should draw all in the church together (rather than drive a wedge to push generations apart).
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:5-7)
Because God is our Master, the Lord gives us instructions. “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)
Jesus reinforced this by saying "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." (John 13:34-35)
True worship gives importance to the things God has asked us to do. When we enter the sanctuary we must evaluate if the activity is about us … or about pleasing God.
One thing I have noted in some churches (and from some people) is that we do not want children bothering our worship. Jesus would say to us: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14) He said this for good reason. Moses said, “Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God.” (Dt 31:12-13)
It is of more importance to pass our passion and love for the Lord our God on to the next generation than to enjoy the ambiance of a worship service or home devotions ourselves.
Another detractor of worship in today’s churches is music (whether contemporary or traditional). Many feel music should be about what the individual enjoys … even (look around!) to the exclusion of others. Jesus said, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (John 4:12) Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Again, (Deuteronomy 31:12-13), God wants all people to be present in our worship services. Generally congregations should include young adults, senior adults, children, youth and parents. Music should draw all in the church together (rather than drive a wedge to push generations apart).
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:5-7)
Friday, June 7, 2013
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)
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)
Saturday, June 1, 2013
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.
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.
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