EGO-CENTRIC WORSHIP

EGO-CENTRIC WORSHIP

 

There has been a great deal of emphasis on worship in church circles lately. Jesus stated in (John 4:23-24) "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.----for God is Spirit, so those that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." The English word for worship comes from the word "worthship", and should be directed to the object we want to extol, which should be Almighty God our Creator! Much of what we consider as worship in Charismatic circles today might better be called "performance", or perhaps "entertainment", and is often more about "us", than about "Him" The reason is that we get what we consider "spiritual" confused with what is really "soulish". It is easy to get the two mixed up because they are closely connected together. We are tripartite, or three part beings, as the scriptures describe us.  We are a spirit being, we have a soul, that lives in a body. (see 1 Thess 5:23) where Paul makes this clear distinction of these three parts. Our bodies are visible and easy to separate from the other two which are invisible. It's not so easy to separate between soul and spirit, and according to (Heb 4:12) they are so closely connected that only the Word of God can divide between the two. "For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." True worship of our Creator God has nothing to do with entertainment. Entertainment says "Excite me, Thrill me, Satisfy me", it's all about "me", and meant to benefit the soul, and excludes the spirit completely!

 

The soul consists of our will, our intellect, and our emotions. In other words these represent the three verbal statements "I want", "I think", and "I feel", which control the life and actions of the natural person. But when we are "born again", the Holy Spirit quickens, or makes our human spirit come alive from it's condition of death, or separation from God (See Eph 2:1-10). Then the Holy Spirit can empower our human spirit to control our actions in a manner that pleases the Father. Someone has said "The soul is capable of praise and thanksgiving, but only the spirit can offer worship to God that is acceptable to Him". So we can see how what we call "worship in the spirit", can really be only "soulish", and not "spiritual" at all! We need to have discernment from the Holy Spirit, and a knowledge of the Word of God to be able to decide which is which, when we come together as followers of Jesus, to function as the Body of Christ! This should be a 24/7 activity for us anyhow, and not just part of a so-called "worship time" in a Sunday morning service. Jesus Christ is certainly worthy of our worship, because of what Paul has to say about Him, as recorded in (Col 1:18-20) Hallelujah!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer

AGAPE LOVE

AGAPE LOVE

 

This is one of the several words in the Greek language that is translated into English as love. It is sometimes referred to as being "God's kind of love", and is used over 200 times in the NT. The only time I'm aware of that it does not refer somehow to God, is in (John 3:19). Here it is used to describe people who "love" darkness, rather than light. Because we know from other scriptures that "God is light", we know is not Godly to love darkness, so it must be used here to show the intensity of a sinner's hatred toward the light of God's presence. Most of us realize the strength of this kind of a pull toward darkness of some sort, even after we become followers of Jesus. Paul explains this as the "flesh", waring against the "Spirit" (Gal 5:16-18) Nearly every use of Agape refers to behavior, it is especially evident in the comparison between the works of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit in (Gal 5:19-23). We see the benefits of Agape in describing the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22 and 23, all 9 things mentioned might be called part of the character of God, or we might say His DNA. The works of the flesh are a complete opposite to the fruit, and we know that followers of Jesus should not be involved in any of the 17 things listed in verses 19-21. But we know from personal experience that we, or someone we know quite well, sometimes do some of these things. Who among us can honestly say they have never been guilty of jealousy, or envy, or outbursts of anger?, which we may call "righteous indignation" to try and justify it! I think we are all guilty by times, and I would venture to say the reason could a lack of Agape love operating in our lives. And if I understand this passage correctly, these sins can keep us from our "inheritance", which Peter tells us is being reserved in heaven for us(1 Peter 1:3-5).

 

So it would seem that Agape love is a very important commodity to have operating in our lives at all times. Our flesh nature will constantly try to hinder our spiritual progress, and must be kept in check by submission to the Holy Spirit. Satan works on our flesh nature, but the holy Spirit works through our redeemed spirits as we are obedient to listen to His still small voice, and allow God's "Agape Love" to flow through us!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer

A DIFFERENT VIEW OF HEAVEN

A DIFFERENT VIEW OF HEAVEN             

 

The old paradigm of the church has always placed more emphasis on heaven as our ultimate goal than I believe is proper. Yes, if we are a follower of Jesus, we will go to heaven when we die and be with Jesus, because that's where He is right now. But heaven as it is presently described in scripture, is not always going to remain where it is now, but will be located here on earth just over the natural city of Jerusalem. (Rev 21:2,10). It will no longer be called heaven, but "New Jerusalem" will be it's new name for eternity. So heaven is a temporary abode, so to speak, for the children of God, until all of "God's Elect" are gathered in at the end of life as we know it on earth. A careful reading of Matthew 24, and other connected scripture portions that describe the End Times on earth, should help to correct this old paradigm of the church. Many of the hymns and songs we love to sing give the impression that heaven is that wonderful place over yonder somewhere, that Jesus has gone to prepare a "mansion" for each of us. That is definitely a wrong impression, as I understand it, do in part to the translators of the KJV of the Bible using "mansion" in verse 2, and "abode" for the same Greek word in verse 23 of John 14. People have let their imaginations run wild in picturing some elaborate mansion that they will live in for eternity, when I believe Jesus has been building His "Church", from His position at the Father's side, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who took His place here on earth. This "True Church" is what we see coming down from heaven to earth in Revelation chapter twenty-one !

 

While Jesus was here on earth for some 33 years, He was the representative of God on earth. "For  in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body" (Col 2:9). Now that Jesus has gone back home to be with His Father, and has been replaced here by the Holy Spirit, the scriptures are clear that the Church He is building is His Body on earth, while He is the head in heaven. Paul helps us understand this great mystery in his letter to the Ephesians. We may not understand it completely, but that is where we must accept and believe it by faith, and fulfill our role as "ambassadors" of His Kingdom on earth!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer

THE INCORRUPTIBLE SEED

THE INCORRUPTIBLE SEED

 

We find this expression used by Peter in his first letter (1 Peter 1:23), and contrasted to seed that is corruptible. I have recently listened to a teaching by Bob Mumford, where he likens this to what we receive the moment we are "born again". He maintains that we are impregnated with this seed, in like manner as a wife can be impregnated with her husband's seed, resulting in a pregnancy, and the beginning of a new life. He stresses that a woman can not be "partly" pregnant, just like we can not be partly saved! Either we are, or we are not, and I believe we see people today in our churches who would show by their behavior that they are definitely not! Bob goes on to describe how it is possible to have our seed corrupted by our enemy, by yielding to the temptations offered by him, even though the seed within our life is "incorruptible"! Satan can't get at the "seed" to corrupt it, so he attempts to corrupt the container of the seed, which is our soul and our physical body. Satan tried to do this to the "seed" that Jesus received when He was baptized by John in the Jordan river. Immediately after the Holy Spirit came to Him at His baptism, we read in (Luke 4:1-13) that He was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It would seem that the devil thought if he could cause Jesus to yield to any one of these three temptations, He could no longer be qualified to be our Savior. We can be eternally grateful that Jesus withstood every one with "it is written"! Here we have an example of Jesus the "Living Word", using the "Written Word", to defeat the enemy, which is the proper way for us to do the same, when ever we are tempted to sin.

 

What we are really talking about here, is the real DNA of God represented by this seed. We now know that our DNA is what makes each of us human beings unique, and different from the billions of others on our planet. We can think of God as having a DNA that is completely "incorruptible", it was given to Jesus by the Father at His baptism. This act on the Father's part, confirmed the point in time at which Jesus the son of man, born of the virgin Mary, became Jesus the mature "Son of God". Then God the Father could now declare "You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased". (Luke 3:22) Immediately after this we read about Jesus beginning His ministry of healing, and many other miracles!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer

What is Truth

WHAT IS TRUTH

 

This question was first asked by Pilate, the Roman Governor who interviewed Jesus, as recorded in (John 18:38). And it has been asked many times since then by various people. The simple answer is that truth is found in a person whose name is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who came down from heaven to earth to become the Savior of mankind! His supernatural birth was foretold by God through His prophets many years before it happened, and is explained fully in the pages of the Bible. The word "truth" is mentioned 3 times in Matthew, and 5 times in Luke. But John uses it 27 times in his gospel account, and 20 times in his 3 letters. God's truth is "absolute", and according to the Oxford Dictionary absolute is "an adjective meaning complete, or perfect". That means God's "TRUTH" is perfect, and not subject to change or compromise. In a recent article from the July/August issue of the Sharon Star by Markus Hansen, he gives five facts about this word TRUTH. They are 1/ What "truth" is ascribed to. 2/ The effects of knowing and walking in "truth". 3/ What we are to do with the "truth". 4/ The benefits of obeying the "truth. 5/ The consequences of disobeying the "truth". We will briefly look at each of these five statements about truth.

 

1/ What truth is ascribed to----( Ascribed means to consider or declare as belonging to).

A. God's Laws--- God's Law "is the truth",(Ps 119:142),  "The Law "is perfect ", (Ps 19:7).

B.Jesus Christ---John declared "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ---full of grace and truth", (John 1:14), And Jesus declared about Himself "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

C. The Holy Spirit---Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as "the Comforter", and also the "Spirit of truth" in both (John 15:26) and in (John 16:13)

D, God's Word---Jesus stated as part of His prayer to His Father recorded by John "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth", (John 17:17)

E. The Church---In Paul's first letter to Timothy he described the church as "the household of God, this is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth".(1 Timothy 3:15)

 

2/ The effects of knowing and walking in the truth.

A. Knowing the truth sets us free---Jesus told His followers "----If you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

B. Truth purifies and makes us pure within.--- "you were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth." (1 Peter 1:22).

C. Truth sanctifies, sets apart, makes one holy.--- "Make them holy by your truth, teach them your Word which is truth" (John 17:17)

D. Truth exposes one to the light of God---"Those who do what is right come to the light, so others can see that they are doing what God wants." (John 3:21)

 

3/ What are we to do with the truth.

A. Come to the truth--- "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come into knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:4)

B. Be established and walk in the truth.---"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

(3 John 4)

C. Obey the truth---"You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters." (1 Peter 1:22)

D. Speak the truth---"So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body." (Eph 4:25)

E. Declare the truth.--- "But  Paul replied, I am not insane Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth." (Acts 26:25)

 

4/ The benefits of obeying the truth.

A. Obeying God's laws and statutes.--- "These  are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy." (Deut 6:1)

B. Peace is a direct benefit of walking in the truth.---"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift that the world can not give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27)

C. Joy and happiness.---"Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy." (Isaiah 51:11)

D. Promise to look after our children.---"Take heed that you despise one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." (Matt 18:10)

E. Eternal life.---"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

F. Answers to our prayers.---"If you abide in Me, and My Words (the truth) abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)

G. God promises those who tithe.---"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in. Try it! Put Me to the test!" (Mal 3:10)

 

5/ Consequences of not obeying the truth.

A. Exodus 20:13. "You must not murder"

B. Exodus 20:14. "you must not commit adultery"

C. Romans 1:18. "But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness."

D. Romans 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

E. 2 Corinthians 6:14. "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

 

As a summary to this teaching on TRUTH, I would suggest a careful reading of Peter's second letter, (2 Peter 1:3-12). This gives an excellent outline for growth in spiritual maturity, along with Paul's letter to the Ephesians "until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ" (Eph 4:3)!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                   

 

A NEW PARADIGM

A NEW PARADIGM

 

I have been hearing much lately about the need for the church to have a "new paradigm". As I understand the term, it simply means a new way of seeing and understanding our role as the "Body of Christ" here and now on planet earth! We have operated for years under an old paradigm, and now must leave the old behind, in favor of the new. Something similar to the "New Covenant", which replaced the "Old Covenant". Our Bibles are clearly divided into these two parts that we call the Old Testament and the New Testament, with John the Baptist being the dividing line between them. (Matt 11:11) One thing that has helped to shape our old paradigm was the introduction by Dr Scofield of what he called the seven "dispensations" of history, instead of two! His teaching is known as "Dispensationalism", and has greatly affected the church in the last century. A more important thing that has shaped the old paradigm has been the church "structure" introduced by Constantine back in the fourth century. We see God's plan for church structure in the NT writings, especially the book of Acts, and Paul's letters. And a big part of the new paradigm for the church will simply be getting back to the original model set up by Jesus! There have been many restoration movements in the history of the church that have brought changes to doctrine, but not to this old structure of how we "do church"!

 

One big problem as I see it, is our understanding of heaven being our "goal". Everybody wants to get to heaven as soon as possible, to escape the wickedness in the world we are called to live in. That has never been God's intention for His children, in spite of what we have been told. Bob Mumford stated recently in a teaching given at Elim Bible Institute, "Heaven is not the goal!", the goal is found in (Rom 8:18-25), and in (Eph 4:11-13), and would seem to be that we are to become the "mature children", who can properly demonstrate to the world what God's Kingdom is all about! The world has never really seen that in the church, who has always been focused on getting to heaven and avoiding hell. The world around us needs to see Jesus in all His Fullness and Beauty! That's why God left us here on planet earth after He redeemed us, to be "shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people" (Phil 2:15)!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer