A. INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS WORSHIP?
1. Worship is giving the “worthship” to God that belongs to Him only (old Scottish term).
2. Definition: “Worship is a face-to-face encounter with the living God based on a regeneration experience, prompted by the Holy Spirit, and resulting in the exaltation of God’s glory. Therefore, worship should be a total response of your whole being in an emotional, intellectual, and volitional response to God, expressed in physical devotion.
a. Worship involves the intellectual attention, but it is more than merely knowing God.
b. Worship stirs the emotions at its deepest level but is more than an expression of passion.
c. Worship begins when you chose to surrender your will to God, but it is more than a mere decision.
d. The heart is moved by biblical facts to re-create the fundamental human experiences of praise, adoration, and exaltation of God for who He is and what He has done for all people in general and you in specific.
3. The relationship between worshiper and God is a growing and a dynamic entity.
4. Worship is your earnest effort to re-create the conditions and experiences that will deepen your relationship with God.
5. When you worship with fasting, you put God first before your appetite and desire.
6. If you worship God, He will come. You find His presence in worship. “The Father seeks worship” (John 4:23).
B. JOHN THE BAPTIST WORSHIPED WITH HIS LIFE, ACTIONS, AND WORDS
1. He put God first physically. “Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matt. 3:4).
a. Locus, did not eat a scavenger insect with disease germs, etc., but ate only vegetation. Locus produced antifungal, cancer prevention, and inhibits viral infection.
b. Honey, medical science has found it produces 10 positive health contributions including medical renewal for cuts and bruises, i.e., anti-inflammation.
2. John did not eat rich food nor drink wine (Luke 7:33).
3. John had an outstanding reputation/testimony. “Of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John (Luke 7:28).
4. Worship, puts Jesus first. “I am only here to prepare the way for Jesus” (John 3:28, NLT).
5. Worship places you after Jesus. “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30, NLT).
6. Worship magnifies Jesus. “The Spirit descended and rested on Jesus . . . I saw this happen” (John 1:33, NLT).
7. Worship fast means sacrifice, “Afflicting the soul” (Is. 58:5). Worship is not about yourself, your method, music, or atmosphere. It is about Him, “Not I but Christ” (Gal. 2:20).
8. Worship fasting is not automatic and doesn’t always work. “Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen. Why have we afflicted ourselves” (Is. 58:3).
C. PRINCIPLES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST FOR WORSHIP
1. Attach your fast to your desire to worship. “He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and should drink neither wine nor strong drink” (Lu. 1:15). Nazarite vow.
a. There is power in a decision coming from your total life.
b. There is power in a life separated from this world and separated to God.
2. John was a Nazarite, i.e., word comes from Nadar “to vow.”
a. Nazarites vow could be 30 days, longer, or a life-time.
b. Nazarites were not celibates or lived in monastery. The lived among people but not like people.
c. Vow to be a person of worship. Promise God you will worship each day privately and each Sunday corporately.
3. Submit your total worship life-style to God.
a. Clothes.
b. Drink.
c. Food.
4. Don’t offend God, other believers, or your conscience.
a. Don’t offend your personal conscience. “If you don’t do what you know is right, you have sinned” (James 4:17, CEV).
b. Don’t offend the corporate conscience of your church.
5. Make your fast/worship both an event and a life process.
6. Know the nature of Christ centered worship.
a. Recognize your limitations. John said, “I would not have known Him, except . . . (God) told me” (John 1:33).
b. Recognize your unworthiness. John testified, “I am not worthy” (John 1:27).
c. Evaluate your desires. “This joy of mine is fulfilled’ (John 3:29).
d. Write out your worship purpose. The process of writing clarifies your intent. Make sure your ego is out of the way.
e. Be a “person of your vow.” John said of Jesus, “The One coming after me is preferred before me, whose sandals I am not worthy to loose” (John 1:27).
7. Remember you worship because you are cleansed and forgiven by His blood. “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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