By: Pastor/Teacher James R. Paxton
Joh 4:23 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. Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Across this nation, if not around the world, most Christians have settled into a comfort zone when they come to church. They have conformed to a pattern of praise and worship. Mostly it is based on church doctrine instead of the Word of God. In some churches if you raise your hands in praise, you will be escorted out. The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy said: “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. “ (1Tim. 2:8). Some denominations strongly frown against Speaking in tongues. Again, the Apostle Paul said “(1Co 14:18) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” The Apostle Paul wrote over half the New Testament.
We like to have our services in a certain way and don’t like surprises. They tend to make us uncomfortable and maybe even nervous. When Cornelius the centurion sent for the Apostle Peter, he desired a word from God. What happened? When the Apostle Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house and began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon those that were and they began to speak in tongues and praise God. Today, if the Apostle Peter was sent of God to most churches and a similar thing happened, Peter would quickly be escorted to the door and forbidden to return. Some would argue that those things were only for the early days of the church and passed away long ago. Before you accept that as a doctrine, find Scripture to confirm what you think or have been taught.
Ephesians 5:27 tells us that Jesus is coming for a glorious church. The word Glory means the manifested presence of God, so a glorious church is one that has evidence of the glory of God. Not many of them around.
We are more apt to seek approval, conformity or some religious form than we are to seek God and His will. 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Serving God is not a religious exercise but a righteous relationship. If we are truly His, we have been bought by the sacrifice at Calvary and are not our own. We have become a new creature in Christ Jesus and are to be to His glory (Eph. 1:6, 122, 14). 2Co 3:18 says “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” None of us have arrived but are a work in progress if we let the Spirit of God have His way in our lives. The church is the body of believers, not a building or an institution. Thank God for Salvation and the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Jesus is coming soon. Be ready.
Maranatha!
