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| - Kenneth Greatorex - Many years ago, I read this statement: “In prayer we are occupied with OUR NEEDS. In thanksgiving with OUR BLESSINGS. In worship we are occupied with Him.” Our prayer needs are to be met by asking. Our thanksgiving and praise to our wonderful Lord’s response to our petitions is right. In BOTH of these MAN is the primary CENTER. Our Lord is serve us at these by meeting our needs . We should rejoice that He cares about our problems. The Hebrew and Aramaic words meaning WORSHIP in the Old Testament as well as the Greek word in the New Testament, have the following meanings, “To bow down; to prostrate before anyone out of honor; and to kiss the hand.” These ALL involve physical action. In fact one could put on a show of “worship“ in this manner and not mean it. Some do. Today we hear much about “praise and worship.” In fact the way this term is used, a stranger couldn’t be faulted for thinking that they were the same. Why? Because most of our teaching, which I too have done, has been based upon Old Covenant patterns. We practice in a natural, and physical realm, hoping to get into a spiritual dimension. We have learned to start in the Outer Court, then move into the Inner Court and finally enter the Holy Place where the Presence of God dwells. Now, IF we are under the Law, and all of this takes place in an earthly Tabernacle or Temple, we are right on course. The QUESTION is, “What does the Scripture say to New Covenant saints?” First we learn that the true temple [NAOS, Strong’s #3485, holy place] of God is NOT a building of brick and mortar. The following Scriptures indicate that the TRUE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD IS WITHIN THE BELIEVER: Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16 and Revelation 21:3. In the times of past moves of the Spirit, 1901-1906 and 1948, as well during the Charismatic move, anointed song burst forth. Many times this was likened to a heavenly choir of angels. In time we have “learned “ to copy this even though the anointing was not there to do such. Once I heard a minister attempting to teach a congregation the “how” of “singing in the Spirit.” When speaking to the Samaritan woman Jesus spoke these words in John 4:23-24, “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." Notice that this is different from the old “physical” order where one must physically prostrate, or be, “worshiping their God with all of their might.” Why the change? Fallen man lives in the order of body, soul and spirit. Redeemed man is to live in the order of spirit, soul and body. We are saved spiritual, our soul is being saved, and the body ultimately will be. This is the reversal of the order of the fall and it’s effects. Jesus said that our Father was seeking those who would worship Him in ”spirit and truth.” Our bodies cannot “spirit” worship, nor can our souls. That is they can’t motivate worship. Notice what the mother of Jesus said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and MY SPIRIT HAS rejoiced in God my Savior.” First she rejoiced IN SPIRIT, only then could her soul magnify and praise. Hebrews 2:12 reads in part, “in the MIDST of the congregation will I sing praise to you.” This “praise” is HUMNEO, Strong’s #5214, meaning to sing. Where is Jesus going to sing? In the midst of the congregation. Who are members of the congregation? We are. What kind of singing will this be? Coming from our Lord, it will be a spiritual song, a HALEL to our Father God of true worship! When we have a revelation of Christ in all of His glory, our hearts will melt and we will bow before Him in adoration and worship. We can learn much by studying worship in the book of Revelation as it is a realm that most have yet to enter into. Don’t do this as a “method” but rather as a means to receive a revelation of our living and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. Remember this: True worship is more than an action. True worship is based upon revelation. True worship is of the Spirit, not the flesh, and individualism is laid aside as the corporate body worships our Lord and King. |
Other Writings in This Series:
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