Suffering Servant Exalted in Worship

We see Christ's humiliation, suffering and His death followed by glorious exalting worship in Phil. 2:5-11.  We first see this Suffering Servant theme in Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12. In both passages we see that after humiliation comes exaltation.  It is amazing that this idea is revealed to the prophet Isaiah seven centuries before the Cross.  His exaltation is emphasized with three different Hebrew words to give extra emphasis.  In Isaiah 52:13, Isaiah says, "He shall be exalted and extolled and placed high" meaning that His glory will be indescribable.  Paul indicates the same consummate glory in Philippians 2.  We see that the goal of it all is the worship of God.  The exaltation of the Suffering Servant as the obedient Son is without limit.  And ultimately every person, no matter who they are, will acknowledge the glory of Christ with bowed knee and confessing tongue. As the great hymn says, "all that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him; all of it to the glory of God."

We have been created and designed for the worship of God - we have been redeemed for the worship of God - we will live eternally before Him for the worship of God.  A theologian, Dr. John Frame puts it thus: "Redemption is the means; worship is the goal.  In one sense, worship is the whole point of everything.  It is the purpose of history, the goal of the whole Christian story.  Worship is not one segment of the Christian life among others.  Worship is the entire Christian life, seen as a priestly offering to God. And when we meet together as a church, our time of worship is not merely a preliminary to something else; rather, it is the whole point of our existence as the body of Christ." Amen and Amen!  mjm

Worship and the Cross

The life and work of Jesus is linked over and over with worship.  In His earthly ministry He taught of the importance of worship both by example and command.  Even His death on the cross was teaching the meaning and significance of worship.

Psalm 22 is an important prophetic look at the crucifixion.  It is the psalm quoted by Jesus on the cross, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" The psalm tells of several different prophecies involved in the crucifixion.  In v.v. 22-23 we see to what end Christ died - that He might be glorified and all would stand in awe of Him!  What is our right response to His death on our behalf?  Praise, glory, a holy awe.  In v.v. 25-27 it culminates in . . . all the families of the nations will worship before Thee.  Worship is the essence of the work of the cross.  It is our response to the saving death and life of Christ.  It becomes the heartfelt expression of true worship.  

An afterthought . . . we not only see worship in the work of the cross but we see forgiveness taught by Christ in a way that no other can teach.  It was so appropriate that today we celebrated our forgiveness in Christ in worship and were taught by the Word about forgiveness being expressed in our own lives.  mjm

Worship and Redemption

In Matt. 4:10 when Satan tempts Jesus, Christ quotes Deut. 6:13: "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."  Worship is not an option.  Redemption is the very foundation of worship.  We see in Luke 19:10 and John 4:23 that the Father and Son purposed to redeem us that we may become worshipers. Therefore, the purpose of redemption is making worshipers.  We were not redeemed just so we could escape hell or have benefits.  Even though we are blessed; blessings were not the purpose of our redemption.  The motive for our redemption was not so we could receive anything.  The objective was that God would receive worship - so that our lives would glorify Him.  Blessings for us is a divine response to fulfilling that main purpose.

Throughout the whole of God's Word we find this basic truth confirmed over and over, that God's primary activity has always been seeking out true worshipers.  All of history will consummate in heaven and our sole purpose will be to worship God rightly forever and ever.   To be concerned mainly with what we receive or "blessings" is a shallow salvation experience that becomes very self-centered.  It seems Jesus rebukes such an attitude in Matt. 6:3 when He says, "But seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Saved to worship! mjm

The Wonder and Worship of a Faithful God

Who is the God we worship?  He is . . .  He is holy; He is merciful.  He desires our worship and our worship affects us and Him.  Biblical writers emphasize over and over the "otherness," or the uniqueness, of God.  He is Holy.

God is also merciful and faithful.  In Ex. 34: 5-6, God Himself descends in the cloud and stands with Moses and proclaims the name of Yahweh.  And Yahweh passed before him and proclaimed: Yahweh Yahweh; God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding and abundant in lovingkindness, goodness, faithfulness and truth.  The Hebrew word used here needs all of those English words to even begin to describe what God was saying.  That word is where we get steadfastness, everlasting, enduring and others.

That overwhelming expression at the end of v. 6 shows up in the New Testament in John 1:14 where John describes Jesus with the same term in Greek, translated "full of grace and truth".  They are very much the same.  What God revealed about Himself on that mountain - goodness, faithfulness, truth - John now reveals about Jesus in this presentation of the Gospel of grace and truth.  Both God the Father and Christ the Son are Holy, Merciful, and Gracious.  The more we learn and experience the faithfulness of God, the more we will be rightly directed to His wonders!  mjm

God's Faithfulness Feeds our Worship

I have always loved Lamentations 3:22-23 which tells us the Lord's mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.  The Amplified Bible puts it thus:  "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness."  In verse 24 it goes on to say: "The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and  wait expectantly for Him."

If we as individuals would simply focus on God's faithfulness everyday, imagine what it would do to the body of Christ when we gather to worship.  If we did that, when unbelievers entered the walls of our church to worship they would experience the "Christ in us" of our worship.  Donald Hustad once said: "Believers in heartfelt worship can present a three-dimensional worship model that entertainment cannot: humans restored to their original purpose--glorifying and honoring God.  Through the window of authentic worship, unbelievers can actually see believers responding to God's redemptive gift in Jesus Christ.  They are moved by observing Christians in relationship to God and to each other.  Most importantly, they experience God's presence because He 'inhabits the praises of His people.'" (Ps. 22:3)  Focusing on God's faithfulness as individuals definitely feeds the worship of the gathered body in a way that impacts both each other and unbelievers in our midst.  mjm

Rejoicing in Worship - Due to Faith

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord.  They rejoice in Your Name all day long." (Ps. 89:15-16)  The "rejoice in Your Name" refers to a nation that walks in the light of God's presence and sings praise to His Name.  In the Old Testament it was something done at festivals by the leading churchmen.  But in the New Testament it becomes possible for every believer, and not just on special occasions.  The Father finds joy in contact with His children even as His children find delight in being in His presence.  God has made this possible by Christ through the Holy Spirit, by filling us with love and faith.  This brings joy that many children of God think is not possible.  And yet, Jesus promises us this joy in John 16:22.  In fact, that we will be full of joy... a joy that no one can take from us.  

When the people of God worship and live day by day, our faith life should radiate so much permanent and consistent joy that it glorifies His Name.  Can you imagine the witness this is to others when they see us living and worshipping, with rejoicing, because of our faith in Him that goes so much deeper than a mere happiness which depends on circumstances?  May we abide, live and worship, rejoicing!  mjm

Worship Full of Faith

God reveals Himself and our response in faith is essential.  Abram began that journey of faith in Gen. 12,  having to put faith in God's revealing Himself and His purposes to Abram as he made the journey.  We can follow the journey and see Abram become Abraham as he grows through his failures and obedience in faith, as God brings him to the ultimate test of his faith in Gen. 22:2:  "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."  Abraham was ready to obey God before he knew what would happen.  He was in preparation for experiencing God in worship, a worship that was full of faith. 

Why would Abraham be so willing to obey God?  Because God had proven to Abraham in the fulfillment of His promise that Abraham could trust God and follow His direction without reservation.  His sacrifice would be an act of worship that he believed by faith that God would be there for him at both his point of faithfulness and his need.  In verse 5 the Hebrew word for worship is shachah.  It is used more than 100 times in the O.T.  It gives the picture of someone bowing or prostrating himself on the ground before God; the lesser one responding to the One who is greater.  It was a physical action that also translates into a condition of the heart before God.  God's acceptance of our worship is dependent on our belief - our faith - that He is our only source and that without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5-8) mjm

Cherishing God in Worship

To cherish something or someone is "to hold dear; treat with affection and care; to keep deeply in mind."  It is the combining of the two terms, love and enjoy.  When you cherish something you both love and enjoy it.  You actually can love something without enjoying it, and you can enjoy something without loving it.  There are few things in life that we both love and enjoy.  One of my own examples of this which helps me understand the concept is grandchildren.  I cherish my grandchildren.  I love them and enjoy them.  I want to hold them close and treasure them. 

Authentic worship is cherishing God.  It is the act of both loving Him and enjoying Him.  In both the private and public setting, it is more than just talking about Him or singing about Him and what He has done.  It is cherishing what and who He is.  It is taking hold and enjoying His very Person and Presence.  In Deuteronomy 28:45-47, God warned the Israelites of curses and destruction if they did not obey Him... serving Him with joyfulness and gladness of heart!  The act of truly cherishing God is missing in so many churches today.  We are committed to many things, and even God, but rarely do we truly cherish God.  We need to love and enjoy Him for all He is or all we do will be in vain.  mjm

Revival, Restoration and Worship

2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  I can think of no other time, possibly in my adult life, when revival and restoration is needed so much in both the church and in our land.

We see in this passage that if we truly seek the Lord, it will include repentance...turning away from our own wickedness.  True seeking can only happen with a humble, surrendered heart.  As seekers of Him, we need to realize our utter helplessness without God in our worship and in our land.  If we as God's people would but become serious about our seeking after God, we would see passionate, life-changing worship and we would see revival in our land and throughout the whole world.

It is a promise of God.  If we humble ourselves, pray, seek Him and repent ourselves, God will act.  Our world is on fire; our churches are not.  What are we waiting on?  When are we going to see what is going on around us and fall on our faces before God?  He is waiting to manifest His presence among us and heal and restore our churches and our land.  If, if, if . . .there will be no holding back the great things God will do in and around us.  mjm