2014.06.22_Let Us Offer Spiritual Worship

The Living God Father

God is the living God. Our belief in His living existence is not an abstract notion but a true experience. As God is living, He possesses a clear volition. If anyone wishes to have eternal life and enter the kingdom of Heaven, he must honor God’s will. Even if man does penance and practices self-cultivation, he is unable to enter the kingdom of Heaven by them. He can enter Heaven only by faith in Jesus because that is God’s will. Jesus said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Mark 12:46-50). Even though Jesus wants to save someone, he cannot be saved if he does not abide by God’s will.

We call God as our Father. God is a not a dead but a living Father. We serve God with an everlasting hope while we are on the earth because He is the living Father. Since the birth of the Christian church until now, the reason countless saints were willing to be martyred was because they had experienced the living existence of God the Father. Today we also call God, ‘Father’ because we have the undeniable testimony of the Holy Spirit.

If you pointed at some child’s father and said to the child, “That man is not your real father,” would that child nod his head and say, “Oh, I see’? Most children would adamantly say, “No, he is our father!” If you then put on a blank face and say to the child again, “Didn’t you know? He isn’t your real father,” the child would probably burst into tears, insisting that he is. We must confess like the little child that God is our Father, just as Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:15).

God is the One and Only God. Why One and Only? A spirit has no form and thus it cannot be touched with our hands nor heard with our ears. However, God does have an image. He sent to the world His only begotten Son who was in His bosom, and He is the image of God, namely Jesus Christ. The reason people cannot believe this is that they are oppressed by the gods of this age (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

A person cannot have any relationship with God unless he confesses that God is the One and Only Father. In the time of Noah, the people who perished in the Flood were those that did not acknowledge God. God’s will has not changed since. God loved the world and gave them His image, so that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God may not perish but have eternal life. The Son of God experienced the afflictions, poverty, hunger and infirmities of man just as it was prophesied (Isa. 53:3-10), and in the end died on the cross. The cross was a device used to punish the worst criminal offenders. Although Jesus had only done good deeds in the world, the people accused Him and finally crucified Him. Even so, God raised Him from the dead. Jesus did not faint and wake up on His own; God raised Him to life.

God sends the Holy Spirit to those that believe in and follow Jesus according His will. Even the demons recognize the fact that we have received the Holy Spirit. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” When we, filled with the Holy Spirit, confess that our God Father is living, even the demons recognize and submit to us. We have such clear proofs in our faith.

We are the people who have experienced the resurrection of Jesus. After Jesus resurrected, He appeared before His disciples and even before 500 saints at one time. And before His ascension, He urged His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). As the Lord said, the disciples who had gathered in Mark’s Upper Room and prayed received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and began to speak in tongues. There were devout Jews from every nation under Heaven in Jerusalem at that time, and when they were gathered together after hearing the disciples speaking in tongue, Peter boldly testified before them, “God has raised Jesus whom you crucified, and having gone into Heaven He has sent us the Holy Spirit!” And on that day, about 3000 people came to repentance and were baptized (Acts 2:1-41).

What is baptism? First Peter 3:21 says, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” In the course of history, countless people gave up their lives so as to be baptized. They were able to testify to their status as ones united with Jesus Christ, and did not spare their own lives in doing so because they had a sure experience of how the living God raised Jesus Christ to life.

Some people say that Jesus’ resurrection is not relevant to us directly because it happened thousands of years of ago. However, when we consider God’s word, we must remember that it is still being directed at us in the present day. It is written in Hebrews 3:15, “While it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’” We believed just what the foregoers of our faith have testified to concerning what they had seen and heard, and by this we have an experience that is by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we have received the testimony of God’s existence and for that reason, we serve the living God.

Faith to Set Apart the Holy Day

We set apart one day of the week as a holy day – the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10). From Monday to Saturday, each person engages in his own work such as tending his farm, working at the office or running a business and hence seeks God’s help for those matters. Yet on the Lord’s Day, they gather together with the saints to serve God and glorify Him only (1 Cor. 16:1-2).

There are some people who complain, “Why doesn’t anything work out for me when I am serving God so well?” They must first examine whether they have been soundly keeping the Holy Day or treated it as their own.

The first four commandments of the Ten Commandments prescribe how we ought to serve God. The first of these is, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me’; the second is, ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol’; the third, ‘You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain’; and finally, ‘Remember the Holy day and keep it holy’. God warned the idolaters that the curse upon them would continue to their children, down to the third and fourth generation. Conversely, this means that the curse may end after the third and fourth generation. On the contrary, God commanded to stone to death anyone that desecrated the Holy Day (Num. 15:36). He did not spare them even a glimmer of hope in the third and fourth generation.

The Israelites had suffered a great deal despite being the people of God. They studied the Law of Moses while pondering over the reason to their suffering, and eventually they identified the problem. They realized that they had been neglecting God’s Holy Day as well as robbing God in tithes and offerings (Neh. 9:1-10:39). This was also pointed out by Prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:8, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.”

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He said, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt 6:7-8). Today, the first thing people do as soon as they have entered the prayer room is to complain to God that He did not grant their wishes. For us, we need to learn the prayer Jesus has taught.

The prayer taught by Jesus starts off with “Our Father in Heaven!” Just as a little child acknowledges his or her own father, we must first acknowledge that God is our Father. Those that do so would remember how God raised to life His only begotten Son and thus keep the Lord’s Day holy. They would also first pray for God’s kingdom saying, “Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matt. 6:9-10). After that they would pray, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), humbly asking for the provisions they need for the day God has given them.

God has granted us six days to use for ourselves. He then set apart a Holy Day which we are to use wholly to please the Lord and glorify Him. The reason why people do not have prosperity is not so much of a lack of prayer but because they despise God. God said that He is not pleased with those who despise His name (Mal. 1:6-10). Some people come to church and worship in the same attire they wore while washing dishes at home. Yet, they would not have done so if they had known that worship is an encounter with God.

The Holy Day is sacred. The word holy means ‘distinguished or set apart.’ God did not create anything on the Holy Day but He blessed it and rested on that day. The sun, moon and the creations created over six days will all pass away, but God’s dwelling place will never disappear. The Holy Day is a day distinguished from every other day of the week. Those who consecrate the Holy Day pray for the welfare of God’s kingdom unlike the pagans who only pray for their flesh.

How much suffering did Jesus endure on the earth? God testified concerning Him, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). This was because He endured all kinds of suffering and troubles and obeyed to the end in order to please God. That is also why God had raised Him to life (Heb. 5:7). It is not the right attitude of a saint who is praying to just start saying, “God, why haven’t you given me what I asked for?” as if he was arguing against God.

We must bow our knees humbly before God’s name. Through Jesus, God has revealed the existence of His word and that it certainly comes to fulfilment. Jesus obeyed God’s word and God raised Him to life. If anyone believes this, he would not consider it a burden to serve God nor despise it (Mal. 1:6-14). We will all depart this world one day. After that we will not be able to go to church even if we wanted to. Therefore, we must do the work God desires when we have the opportunity.

Worshipping In Spirit and Truth

When Jesus was in Samaria, a woman said, “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship” (John 4:20). Then Jesus replied, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 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” (John 4:21-23).

In the days of King David, Israel enjoyed a reign of peace. Though they were a small nation, the neighbouring countries could not dare lay their hands on Israel. After that, David’s son Solomon and then his son Rehoboam succeeded to the throne. During Rehoboam’s reign, ten out of the twelve tribes left Jerusalem and moved to the north, where they established a kingdom with Samaria as the capital city. They built an altar at Bethel and worship God there. They thought to themselves, ‘Even if we have left Jerusalem, we can still offer a true worship here.’ On the other hand, those that remained in Jerusalem believed that only the worship offered in Jerusalem, the holy land, would be accepted by God. The North and South Kingdoms both insisted they had greater prestige than the other, however both kingdoms were subject to the prophets’ rebuke. The North Kingdom was criticized for their betrayal and depravity whereas the South Kingdom was rebuked for their arrogance.

The woman’s question about where the worship should be offered – in Bethel or Jerusalem – was based on such historical background. Jesus answered the woman that what mattered was not the location of the worship but that it must be done in spirit and truth. If we examine the original language of the text, spirit and truth actually means, ‘the Holy Spirit and the Truth.’ The word truth also implies ‘a sincere heart,’ meaning that even the flesh has to follow the Truth.

God seeks those who worship by the Holy Spirit and Truth, that is, who worship in Jesus. Though countless people drowned when the flood deluged the earth, God was not mindful of them and only sought for Noah’s household. In the same way, God sent Jesus and gave man the opportunity to believe in Him and be saved. John 3:16 says, “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.” To believe in Jesus means to believe in the word of God and His living existence. In other words, it is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God’s word has been fulfilled through Him. And anyone who worships with such faith, worships in spirit and truth. When we worship in the church, we behold God’s face. A sinner is not permitted to meet the king. But if someone were loyal to the king and rendered meritorious service, the king would grant him the opportunity to meet him. That person would go before the king and kiss his hand or the ring on his finger. And his descendants would take pride in the fact that their ancestor had an audience with the king. The same applies spiritually. We should have our descendants proudly say, “Our forefathers beheld God’s face and kissed His hand.” We must pass down our testimony of the living God to our descendants.

The Life that Seeks God’s Joy

What is the Lord’s Day? The Son of God did not enjoy a lavish life on the earth but suffered many hardships, so much so that He was nicknamed ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ He led such a harsh life on the earth and was shunned by men, yet He never resented God. He prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me!” He had prayed so earnestly that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. But afterward He said, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will,” He got up and finally died on the cross (Matt. 26:39). So how pleased would God have been when He raised His Son who had thus obeyed to the point of death? If Jesus had disobeyed, He would not have lived again. However, Jesus was obedient to the end and God raised Him to life (Phil. 2:6-11). So how great would God’s joy have been?

The Lord’s Day is a day on which we remember the resurrection of Jesus. In other words, it is a day full of the joy God had in raising to life His beloved and pleasing Son. We are not those who stand afar and simply watch God being pleased. When we were baptized, we united with Christ’s resurrection. The day on which God resurrected His beloved Son is the most joyful day to God. That is the Holy Day; the day when those who honor God, behold His face who is full of joy through His Son.

The Lord’s Day is also the day on which Jesus sent the Holy Spirit after His ascension. The Holy Spirit came to the believers on the fiftieth day since His resurrection, that is, the day after the Sabbath, and it has continued thereafter that the believers have been receiving the Holy Spirit and being born again. The worldly people cannot receive the Holy Spirit neither can religious people. Only those who believe in Jesus can receive the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Day is therefore not only a day of remembering the resurrection of Jesus but also a day when God holds the believers of Jesus with special regard.

When it says to remember the Holy Day and keep it holy, it does not mean one should become a slave to the Holy Day. To keep it holy, it is utmost important to understand the significance of that day. Remembering the Sabbath means to remember that it is God’s day, whereas with the Lord’s Day it is to remember that God raised His beloved Son to life. Even though Jesus was put to death according to man’s law, God raised Him again. The Lord’s Day is filled with the joy of God who has conquered, and therefore we ought to rejoice on that day also. Hallelujah means to say to the angels, ‘Let us sing praises!’ when God is rejoicing.

For the flesh that spoils, we must seek humbly regardless of how urgent matters may be. Proverbs 30:8-9 says, “Give me neither poverty nor riches— feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.” When it comes to the flesh, we should ask only for daily food and in our hearts say, ‘Help me God if this is a matter befitting Your will, otherwise not.’ There are many people who demand God to give them what they ask for, but very few wish to serve God. Some say, “I’ll dedicate to God if you bless me.” But such people need to consider whether they really have not received any blessings from God.

We must not take the Holy Day negligently. We have to bow our knees before the name of the Lord and glorify it on the Lord’s Day. If one chooses to go his own way for the reason that he is busy on the Lord’s Day, it may be that God has shut the door so that he cannot enter. While we might usually be godly for our own sake, on the Lord’s Day we should have reverence for God and worship Him only. We must be found by God who seeks those who worship in spirit and truth.