Spirit & Truth : A Theology of Worship -1
Notes
Transcript
Part 1/5 - Revelation: Glory & Holiness
Part 1/5 - Revelation: Glory & Holiness
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
A SPIRITUAL ACT
A SPIRITUAL ACT
It articulates that biblical worship is one of spirit and truth. God is spirit so He must be apprised spiritually
It articulates that biblical worship is one of spirit and truth. God is spirit so He must be apprised spiritually
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
GOD IS SPIRIT AND TRUTH
GOD IS SPIRIT AND TRUTH
God sets the contexts for what is true and right, so our pursuit of Him must be colored with the crayons of His character, what He values and how he operates.
God sets the contexts for what is true and right, so our pursuit of Him must be colored with the crayons of His character, what He values and how he operates.
So in other words, it is a spiritual act that handles truth responses to God about who He is and what He does and has done.
So in other words, it is a spiritual act that handles truth responses to God about who He is and what He does and has done.
Let’s break that down a bit. For today let’s just look at the first part - the truth of who God is. This is where the word “glory” finds it root.
Let’s break that down a bit. For today let’s just look at the first part - the truth of who God is. This is where the word “glory” finds it root.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
THE SOURCE
THE SOURCE
He is the first and last
He is the first and last
6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
GLORY (כָּבוֹד, kavod, יְקָר, yeqar, δόξα, doxa). A key theological term in the Bible that features in God’s work of judgment, salvation, and blessing.
Everything revolves around God’s glory.
Everything revolves around God’s glory.
As Romans 11 reminds us that even in salvation being extended to us who were not initially children of promise. He is reconciling all things to Himself , as the initiator, the executor and sustainer of all things, for the sake of HIS NAME. Who He is He doesn’t NEED our help to keep things going.
As Romans 11 reminds us that even in salvation being extended to us who were not initially children of promise. He is reconciling all things to Himself , as the initiator, the executor and sustainer of all things, for the sake of HIS NAME. Who He is He doesn’t NEED our help to keep things going.
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
This flies in the face of pagan worship which necessitated mortals serving the gods and maintaining their needs with their worship offerings.
This flies in the face of pagan worship which necessitated mortals serving the gods and maintaining their needs with their worship offerings.
When we feel like what we do sustains God or it is a means for God to approve us or do something good for us, we fall into a form of pagan worship which is contrary to the gospel of Jesus.
When we feel like what we do sustains God or it is a means for God to approve us or do something good for us, we fall into a form of pagan worship which is contrary to the gospel of Jesus.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
HE DESIRES TRUTH IN THE INNERMOST- HEARTS OF WORSHIP
HE DESIRES TRUTH IN THE INNERMOST- HEARTS OF WORSHIP
The Lord is looking for people who discover His father heart and love Him with all their heart
The Lord is looking for people who discover His father heart and love Him with all their heart
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
Is 63 and 64 cover the idea that God was Israel’s Father. This is introduced in Exodus
Is 63 and 64 cover the idea that God was Israel’s Father. This is introduced in Exodus
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son,
God’s glory is and must forever remain the Christian’s true point of departure. Anything that begins anywhere else, whatever it is, is certainly not New Testament Christianity.1
A. W. Tozer
The glory of God refers to who God is, not what he does.
R. C. Sproul
SEEING GOD - REVELATION
SEEING GOD - REVELATION
You will find that REVELATION is essential to worship. When we see God’s Glory and Holiness, worship finds its context. Without it, we are trying to describe or adore or reverence what we don’t see. That is fakery, not worship. When you see something or someone, it illicits a response. Without
You will find that REVELATION is essential to worship. When we see God’s Glory and Holiness, worship finds its context. Without it, we are trying to describe or adore or reverence what we don’t see. That is fakery, not worship. When you see something or someone, it illicits a response. Without
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
HE IS CREATOR
HE IS CREATOR
The first place of revelation in scripture is that God created all things
The first place of revelation in scripture is that God created all things
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
YAHWEH/ELOHIM/EL
YAHWEH/ELOHIM/EL
18 For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the Lord, and there is no other.
‘
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
2 “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name:
25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
THE HIGHEST ONE/ MOST HIGH GOD/ EXALTED ONE
THE HIGHEST ONE/ MOST HIGH GOD/ EXALTED ONE
Hebrew Word: EL-ELYON
SOVEREIGN RULER/ GOD ALMIGHTY
SOVEREIGN RULER/ GOD ALMIGHTY
Hebrew Words: EL-SHADDAI -
There are things God has made evident for all to see. He has put this awareness in every human.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
ILLUSTRATE
ILLUSTRATE
He is Holy - There is none like Him
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
Jesus bears the same Image and Glory
2 Peter 1:17 (ESV)
17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
THE GATEWAY WE USE
THE GATEWAY WE USE
We approach God on the basis of a new relational covenant. not the old covenant which was with a specific group. We have become children of promise by faith - We have a new identity and position
God reveals Himself as our Father.
God reveals Himself as our Father.
More than any other revelation of God, this revelation of God is central to the one Jesus came to portay. He, infact, doesn’t dodge this description of God when referencing other humans. He intentionally speaks about and offers orphans and outcasts the opportunity to be adopted by the Heavenly Father. The New Testament (Jesus, in particular) goes to great lengths to state that God, The Father is the center of all glory and one who receives all worship.
More than any other revelation of God, this revelation of God is central to the one Jesus came to portay. He, infact, doesn’t dodge this description of God when referencing other humans. He intentionally speaks about and offers orphans and outcasts the opportunity to be adopted by the Heavenly Father. The New Testament (Jesus, in particular) goes to great lengths to state that God, The Father is the center of all glory and one who receives all worship.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
THE REDEEMING SON/SAVIOR
THE REDEEMING SON/SAVIOR
This revelation of God is central to the gospel, and most of us who came to know God would have started here. Jesus is not just savior or son, the exact representation of God, Himself. We must understand that Jesus never lost his God-ness when He took on flesh, but He willingly and obediently laid it down “for the joy set before Him”.
This revelation of God is central to the gospel, and most of us who came to know God would have started here. Jesus is not just savior or son, the exact representation of God, Himself. We must understand that Jesus never lost his God-ness when He took on flesh, but He willingly and obediently laid it down “for the joy set before Him”.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
THE SPIRIT OUR GUIDE/TEACHER
THE SPIRIT OUR GUIDE/TEACHER
The Spirit of God enables and empowers all that Jesus accomplished for the children of God
The Spirit of God enables and empowers all that Jesus accomplished for the children of God
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.