John 4:23-24 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV): But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
This week the sermon was dedicated to worship; a good subject. The purpose of worship, the wherefores, how and when to's. To me, to my understanding, the most important points of worship were missed; what did I miss in the presentation?
What is to worship in spirit? Until ones dead spirit is inhabited by God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit man has no other avenue to be in fellowship with God; i.e. to be a "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17) by believing the gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. To be baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-13).
What is to worship in truth? One must be in Christ. How does one get into Christ? One must believe that God is (Heb 11:6). To know why Jesus is so vital to one's salvation, to know without that shed blood there is no salvation (Heb 9:22). Why His blood is the only blood God will accept (1 Peter 1:18-19). To agree with God that one is a sinner and is dead to God apart from the life that only Jesus provides (Ro 3:23, 6:23, 1 Cor 15:22)
To understand how God has provided man the only way (Jo 14:6) to be saved (2 Cor 5:17-21). What happens at belief in what God has said and responds to what was given in His Word. What is that Word where man must respond? (1 Cor 15 1:4).
What happens when a man believes what God has said to the man and his condition? (2 Cor 5:17). The Holy Spirit baptizes the new believer (Eph 2:5-10) into the body of Christ (Eph 4:4-7; 1 Cor 12:12-13).
Starting to understand what this new life in Christ entails. Galatians 2:20-21; Ephesians 1:13-14, :14-21.
We as new believers in Christ will "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. Studying not to impress God but to further understand why He, God can now accept the new believer. This is a life long journey that will never be completed until we are in His presence. Then and only then will we fully understand what it is to be a true worshiper of Jesus, Spirit, and Father. In the meantime "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2.
Just to consider: What the church (fellowships) considers worship today. To some it may be singing songs, raising one's hands (partial or completely extended). It may entail reading one's Bible, witnessing to others. Some consider giving as a form of worship, visiting shut ins. These and other traits may be good to the human way of thinking, but doesn't the lost do the same? Not all-inclusive but things to study out in one's salvation; see Philippines 2:12-13.
The pathway to Salvation
[Passages from the Authorized King James Version; AKJV]
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 “ For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
2 Corinthians 5:18/21 “ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Ephesians 4:4-7 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Romans 12:3
1 Corinthians 12:12-13: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
Galatians 2:20-21 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
If you haven't yet, I invite you to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If you have never believed and come to that understanding, I ask you to believe the gospel and be made new in the body of Christ. Agree with God you are a sinner needing to be saved. The Gospel is simple: it’s who Jesus is and what Christ did in His Death, Burial & Resurrection for you; Christ died for all our sins: 2 Cor 5:21. He was buried John 19:38/42 & arose again for our justification Ro 4:25 & 1 Corinthians 15 the resurrection chapter. It's not what you know or when, where and how you say what you say but the truthfulness in your heart and believing God. Tell Him, your Saviour, Redeemer, Salvation and come unto Him for life. "Lord Jesus, I believe; help me" If this is the truth in your heart and God knows, in that moment of belief, you are then made new in Him! For private insights and additional teachings see whatsaiththescripture.blogspot.com. or contact at hwfs444@gmail.com
Start your new journey by reading the Book of Romans (AKJV), once, twice, as many times as needed until it resonates with your spirit and then believe.
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