The Meeting

The Meeting

By J.M. MacLeod

1Co.14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
I Cor. 14:26 How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

 Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
1Ti.3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

GOD INSTITUTED vs MAN INSTITUTED

It seems that the Lord has given a great deal of latitude to His people as to how we meet with each other to worship and learn of Him, allowing us to do whatever we think is good. Yet, despite His apparent aloofness to our forms and practices, are not the Lord's preferences revealed to the discerning throughout the New Testament Scriptures? If so, wouldn’t His methods be more beneficial than our own man-made activities, and therefore, be the most likely to produce spiritual growth?

 He has given His apostles very few direct commands about “the meeting,” yet can we not deduce by reading the blueprint that what the apostles laid down as the genuine practice of the Faith are God’s protocols? We can go to meetings of any sort we wish, but does that mean we have met with God, or that spiritual nurturing has taken place? Too many of our meetings are based on purely intellectual or emotional basis with little or no input from the Holy Spirit. We can (and often do) have meetings without waiting for the visitation of the Holy Spirit. We presume too much when we merely mouth words, inviting the Lord's presence into our meetings, but don’t really expect His active participation. Does He hear prayers that are voiced out of mere ritual?

Consider: would you go to a party surreptitiously given in your honor if you knew you were only asked out of a sense of obligation, requiring nothing of you but to observe those who invited you as they played imaginary games?

In the First Century it wasn’t that way. The meeting depended on the Holy Spirit's activities in the meeting. They didn’t know how to have a meeting apart from the Spirit's anointing. When we speak of anointing today, it needs to be clarified that much of what is called “anointing” today is merely emotionalism and/or wishful thinking. Hands are laid on, a tingle is claimed, and we believe the Anointing has come to do our bidding. What a shallow concept of the power that raised Christ from the dead!

The Anointing spoken of in Scripture is more than a side-show after (or during) the meeting. The Holy Spirit’s Anointing was the sole dynamic of the meeting. No pastor or elder board pre-determined which songs to sing, which Scriptures to read, whose testimonies were to be given or what solos to have or what sermon to preach. All these “planning sessions” of man's organization evolved after believers drifted away from the dynamic guidance of the Lord's presence. First Century believers gathered and then waited upon the moving of the Spirit for the format of the meeting: from when and how to begin, to the last prayer or hymn. If the Spirit didn't move upon someone, nothing happened. We get 'antsy' when silent moment after embarrassing silent moment glides by and no one “does” anything. The sad truth is, most churches start the meeting right on the dot and end on the same dot an hour later. Where is the careful waiting upon the Eternal Spirit of God to prepare hearts and minds to enter into the Lord's presence? The delays of the Holy Spirit are not without purpose, and if a “dead spot” occurs during the flow of the meeting, it’s not necessarily an indication of a derailed meeting. Most believers in today's churches don’t even take time to wait upon His pleasure, but start and stop meetings based on the world's schedule.

To assume that all congregants showing up on a Sunday for worship are in a state of preparedness is presumption, allowing a sub-standard condition to prevail in the Church. The enemy works overtime as believers prepare for church, causing family frictions and distractions, to the effect that believers are curtailed in their ability to hear the Word before the meeting even starts. Waiting, cleansing our hearts, seeking God prior to the opening of the meeting in a state of quietness is time well spent that prepares the worshipper to receive from the Lord while defeating the annoyances the enemy has thrown in our path. This also provides opportunity for some to hear from the Lord for the first time in days, and to repent of hardness of heart and sin.

Only the Holy Spirit, Who searches the hearts, knows when the condition of each believer is receptive to His moving. When He is waited on in such a way, He will prompt the one He intends to have the meeting start. This is how the Body comes into a state of receptivity so He can dispense truth and have it bear fruit, leading all present to merge into unity of heart and mind in His Spirit.

When we start meetings presumptuously, without His signaling the first movement, believers adopt the attitude that having a meeting is the important thing, not the One we are coming to meet. Worldly demands of convenience intrude when we feel pressured to start 'on time' and end 'on time', indicating that the demands of the outside world are more important than our coming together. A superficial notion of God will pervade the congregation that obeys man's institutions and schedules; thus, our Lord is unintentionally relegated to a position of less importance, while meetings, or more accurately, schedules, take on more significance. Oneness of heart and mind isn’t achieved, and only a handful, at most, come away with any benefit to grow on throughout the coming week. The Body of Christ suffers from the malady of presuming we know how to meet without His specific, personal leading and preparation. God's leadership is no longer the main element constituting the church gathering; man’s institution  is.

RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE

The first prerequisite for having a Spirit-led meeting is for the congregants to all be of one heart and mind (see Acts 4:32; Rom 12:16; 15:6; 2Co. 13:11; Phi1:27; 2:2; and 1Pe. 3:8). Indeed, Jesus' prayer for us in John 17:11 to be “one” is no idealistic platitude that He mouthed to the Father. It is to be a reality in the Body of Christ, especially when we gather to worship.

It’s difficult for Christians to lay down errant doctrines and unscriptural practices in order to be one with the Lord—and with others who are learning to be one with Him. The evidence indicates that believers would much rather maintain their denominational (or non-denominational, as the case may be) individuality than accept the challenge to enter a higher realm of experiencing the Spirit’s direction in the meeting that truly glorifies His Son and edifies worshippers. It’s a marvel that He lets us go our merry way, playing sanctuary games, pretending to honor Jesus when we’re really only glorifying our own intellectual planning sessions.

Thus it is that saints come away from meetings unfed, frustrated, sensing that there must be more than they’re currently receiving. We start and stop meetings by the hands of a machine on the wall rather than the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Days, weeks, even months in advance we plan the topics; calendar holidays are honored above themes the Spirit would draw to our attention. It’s not unusual to not be united in “Spirit and Truth” when we enter the meeting place; the tragedy is that we’re still not one when we leave.

Those who learn to wait on the Lord seek to experience His refreshing breath in their hearts as they come into His presence where no lie or pretense remains unchallenged. This is what John meant by walking in the light: 1 Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another... Only as we walk in the light—without deceiving ourselves or others—are we able to meet with Him. A genuine moving of the Spirit upon each individual is required to accomplish this corporate condition before God. Instead of this soul-searching, too many worshippers glibly assume, “of course I’m in the light”, not realizing how out of touch the Church is with the blueprint. Only when we allow Him to reveal our hearts can we join with others in His Spirit, who, likewise, have come with open-hearted hunger for truth to be fed what our souls most crave. To have fellowship in the light requires—demands—a willing readiness to be in that light, and that doesn’t come easy.

That is more than many want to receive from church. Many just want to sign God's attendance book every week so He’ll know they were there. They want to be coddled, and told that they are okay week after week, that they’re going to heaven or are going be raptured; nothing radical or challenging is required of them to be “cool” with God. The spiritual discernment of many congregations is so dull that were Paul or Peter to show up, they wouldn’t even be recognized. If Jesus walked in their door, He’d likely be resisted, for they already have the god-Jesus of their own imagination. The insipid meetings of man’s planning sessions are not the meetings Jesus would institute!

MEETINGS THAT GLORIFY GOD AND EDIFY BELEIVERS

First Century Church meetings were dependent upon each body member sensing his/her role the Spirit gave them for the edification of others. This required each and every member of the Body of Christ to be Spirit-filled and thereafter continually refilled and abiding (Eph. 5:18) in the Spirit. In a Spirit-led meeting it’s imperative that those who have had their spiritual ears opened be present and active. This is the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit communicates to the church is through the gifts He dispenses to each believer (I Cor. 12:7). Now there is a great controversy dividing the body of Christ on this issue. Many claim to still have the gifts of the Spirit; others claim that such experience is invalid since the apostolic gifts disappeared with the death of the last apostle. That apostles are still a valid and needed office in the Body of Christ today has been already discussed. But there is a greater type and shadow of the present day validity and use of the gifts of the Spirit in the Old Testament, attesting to the eternal purpose of God outfitting His people with proper armament for the spiritual battles they will encounter.

Ex. 39:24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. 25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; 26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Here we see the high priest's garment decorated around the hem with pomegranates and bells. Now we know that the institution of the Tabernacle and all the priestly garments, sacrifices, festivals etc. are all symbolic of eternal spiritual truth revealed in the New Testament (I Cor. 10:11). These symbols instructed the early Christians how God had planned from before the foundations of the world to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and accomplish His purposes through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. In fact, for the first couple of decades the only Scripture the Church possessed was the Old Testament. Correlating Christ's teachings (as faithfully preserved by the apostles) and studying the OT Scriptures provided the understanding of how the Faith was to be practiced. The apostolic teachings (in person) and writings revealed and confirmed what God had originally concealed in the types and shadows of the Old Testament.

The High Priest's garment is a prime example of hidden (mystery) truth that the Church needs to grasp in order to fully operate in His principles. The issue of the Charismatic gifts of the Spirit remaining valid and witnessing to the Gospel is not merely one of God's mutability, but proof that Jesus' sacrifice was accepted of by God the Father!

The bells, intermingled with pomegranates decorating the hem of the High Priest's robe were more than just ornaments filling up blank spaces in an otherwise ornate robe. No, every thread, color and feature contributes a spiritual significance. The high priest obviously represents the ministry of Jesus. In this case, the meaning of the pomegranates are not hard to guess, since they are fruit, they represent the fruit of the Spirit—the character of Jesus—manifest in the presentation of sacrifices and offerings to God, which is the function of the High Priest. But what about the bells? To fully comprehend the meaning of the bells we need to see their function in the type and shadow. When understanding parables and types and shadows this rule of interpretation must be followed: first, understand all the elements of the parable or symbol in their own setting; second, apply the spiritual meaning, keeping the applications consistent. So, to understand the spiritual significance of the bells on the high priest's robe, we need to understand the practical reason for them.

Ex.28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: 34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. 35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

Here we see Aaron, the high priest, wearing the robe with this mix of bells and pomegranates as he goes in to minister to the Lord. Tradition tells us that the purpose of these bells was to let the other priests waiting just outside in the holy place know that the high priest was still alive as he ministered in the holy of holies, offering sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. As long as the bells were tinkling, the high priest was alive, and the sacrifice being presented was acceptable to God. Should the bells stop tinkling, it would be an immediate indication of God's displeasure and rejection of the sacrifice and the death of the high priest for offering an unacceptable sacrifice. That would be a disastrous day for the nation of Israel, for it would mean that God had not forgiven their sins and they were without hope.

The bells, then, are symbolic of some attention-getting device that proves Jesus, our High Priest, is still alive, ministering an acceptable sacrifice to God, and that we who trust in His sacrifice have forgiveness, and therefore, a great hope. Paul, in I Cor. 13:1 mentions a clanging gong or tinkling cymbal, associating the use (or abuse, as the case may be) to the gifts of the Spirit to ringing of bells. For those steeped in Jewish tradition, the connection between the high priestly robe's bells and the gifts of the Spirit is obvious, especially when contrasted with the intermingled pomegranates, the fruit of the Spirit.

So we see the bells representing the gifts of the Spirit as the pomegranates represent the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, the proper use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the meeting is evidence to the royal priesthood of believers waiting in the holy place that the Lord Jesus' sacrifice is accepted and all is well.

How much of the rich symbolism available in Scripture is thrown away by erroneous, man-made doctrines that relegate the activity and power of the Holy Spirit to the past? How much spiritual growth is waiting to be mined in the types and shadows of the OT, but will remain undiscovered because short-sighted theologians have decreed such things are no longer relevant. The gifts of the Spirit are objective evidence that we serve a risen Lord who is not dead, but has been accepted by God, raised to life, and is full of power to deliver and heal. But, like the Jews of the First Century who rejected their Messiah and subsequently had their Temple destroyed, so many believers stubbornly pretend that their doctrines are not errant even when exposed by deeper revelation. Will the Church at large continue to practice watered-down religion despite all the evidence revealing its shallowness and disobedience, until the temples they have erected lay toppled, not having one stone left upon another?

Even those who believe in and practice the gifts often pervert their usage into something not glorifying to the Lord. Because of abuses, many strive to keep a lid on all manifestations of the Spirit in meetings by adding a list of unscriptural guidelines to His doings. Others invent their own tongues, prophecies, visions and being “slain” in the spirit while convincing themselves it is Him. Thus, the bells do not give out the clear, distinguishable sound that our High Priest is alive. There’s no doubt that there is much misunderstanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but that is not gift's fault. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights (James 1:17)... To either blame the gifts or ignore them because of the controversy raised by the ignorant is as inaccurate as accusing the Law of being an evil thing—since by it, sin revived and I died (Rom. 7:13). No, it’s not the fault of the gifts that there is immaturity and division in the Body of Christ, but those who fail to understand how to use them properly! There really is no excuse, for we are given explicit detail in Holy Writ for the proper use of the grace (Gk—Charis) gifts.

Thus, the church meeting should consist mostly of the Charismatic (grace-working) gifts, and the gifted offices (Eph.4:11) given to the Church. But the Holy Spirit is to lead the meeting. An apostle’s or teacher’s presence in no way means that the burden of making the meeting happen is on them. They need to have done their preparation by seeking the Lord's guidance and ministration, studying, praying, and only if the Lord leads, by preparing a word (teaching) in advance. As far as what will transpire in the meeting—that’s best left to the Holy Spirit. The Lord knows the hearts of His people best, and can and will design a theme in every meeting that will meet each person's needs if we but allow Him. But being full of unbelief, too many scrupulously prepare every detail ahead of time, leaving Him nothing to do, and subsequently, every member hungry.

John wrote about Diotrophes in 3 John, who loved to have the pre-eminence, or the place of recognition. True, Diotrophes' problems went far beyond being the main attraction in the meetings, but too many pastors today fear that if their congregations begin to move under the Anointing and minister one to another, they’ll lose their pre-eminent position (though that’s not how they'd term it) and be considered irrelevant, and therefore, undeserving of their paychecks. Many, to protect their own interests, unconsciously hold the church back from developing in the grace and power of the Lord. By this they prove themselves unworthy of being financially  supported for the nurturing of the Lord's flocks. The true job of a pastor, or prophet, or evangelist or apostle is to work themselves out of a job. This will never happen though, for the law of sowing and reaping is that as we give, we receive. The more we raise up disciples to “fly” on their own the more disciples will be entrusted to the churches by the Lord. The higher the maturity level of the flock, the more immature lambs will flow in to be nurtured. The more pastors that are raised up, the more sheep there will be to feed. If leaders truly trusted the Lord, He would faithfully continue providing work for them to do. If a time comes when He does not provide more work, it’s best not to improvise. Let Him have His way. He may be giving a deserved respite, or be setting someone aside for correction or deeper development. When the time is right, He ‘ll send them back to the fray. One’s own indispensability or pre-eminence must never be assumed, but only His will.

If pastors are not always to be the leaders of the meeting, then what is their purpose? Our Western concept of Church has been such that pastors do most of the performing, as well as the planning. But this isn’t the scriptural role of pastor. Although they often do have a large portion of guiding the meeting, especially in the early stages of a church's development, that’s not always to be the case. The meeting can be started, advanced, and ended by anyone in the group who is intimate with the Lord. In fact, as a church matures, the pastor(s) often sit quietly by and watch with pleasure as their disciples learn to walk in truth (3Jn. vs.4). The true distinctive of a godly pastor is that he’s not jealous of his position, but gladly lets others minister, even though not as “perfectly” as he could have done. Imitating John the Baptist, the pastor knows his job is best accomplished when he freely allows others to increase as his own visible role decreases. He also is receptive to visiting ministries (possibly traveling apostles or prophets with a deeper revelation than he himself has) addressing the church. The godly pastor's concern is for the edification of the sheep God has entrusted to him, not the preservation of his own role. If someone brings in fresher fodder, for the sake of his flock, he relinquishes “his spot” in the order of the meeting. He is certainly not out of a job if the church prospers to the point of raising up other mature leaders to share the work load with him. Pastoral counseling will continue, and as one of the elders, it’s his responsibility to make sure that no error is taught in the charismata or teaching. Pastors are to hear the Lord's direction and keep the meetings on track, as well as oversee (gift of administration) the evangelistic, relief and instructional ventures of the church beyond the meeting.

HATHA MEETINGS

A typical meeting could begin with one person leading in a worship song that came to mind, or a prayer need. As they share, someone else is given (by the Spirit) the next part—a word of Scripture, perhaps, or a personal anecdote that illustrates what the Lord is doing in their life. A season of worship can follow, or several readings from the Word, or even devotionals by godly writers. Someone may then receive a prophecy or tongue and/or interpretation, then, possibly, more prayer, or songs of praise and worship. One of the more mature brothers may have been led to prepare a teaching, or he may receive insight on the spot and share with the others. A younger (less spiritually mature) brother may venture out and give a short exhortation or teaching, starting on the road to ministry.

Teachings may come first in the meeting, or last, or be interspersed throughout. In fact, all the elements of the meeting—charismatic gifts, worship, testimony, teaching, prayer, confession, communion, various traditions, revelation— are interchangeable. Some meetings may have certain elements left out entirely, while other meetings may include all the above and more! The Spirit is creative and spontaneous, making each meeting different than any other, yet utilizing the very same elements. The one indispensable element that the Holy Spirit needs in guiding such meetings are believers who have been baptized (term used by Scripture, possibly for the first time a believer is filled) in the Spirit and are maturing in recognizing His prompting. We have crippled the Church's life by muddying the waters when it comes to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He bestows, despite the clear teaching of Scripture. God and His methods are immutable—the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

How stifling it is when we continually follow the same man-made routine (with slight variations) week after week, not letting the Spirit have the freedom to express the Lord's heart and passion. And our lives show it. Christians remain stunted in their spiritual growth, ministry, and walk because they remain loyal to churches that don’t encourage principles of spiritual growth. Why were First Century believers so vibrant in and willing to die for their faith? I am not so shallow as to suggest it was because of a spontaneous form of meeting. But I do dare to emphatically, categorically declare that it is because the Church taught them to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s prompts, allowing Him to do His pleasure in their lives as well as in the meetings. That requires a vastly different concept of Church than most believers presently hold or want.

The question often arises "How then, following this “open format” or “Hatha” (from I Cor. 14:26 how is it brethren… one hath a tongue, one hath a prophecy…) do you keep utter chaos from taking over the meeting? The pastors, given their position of authority for a reason, are to preside from a position of passivity. They are not, as we previously discussed, to have the pre-eminence, but to quietly guide and keep order. In practical experience however, I have personally found it is more of a problem encouraging participation than discouraging inappropriate contributions and behavior. Those coming to a spiritual meeting, for the most part, are hungry and eager to be fed, not stuffed and anxious to spew out all they know. There is also a sense of the awe of the Lord's presence when the mode and purpose of the meeting has been properly explained and understood; few want to open their mouths in foolishness, as Eccl. 5:2 indicates: Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. The job of the pastor more often than not, becomes one of encouraging believers to overcome their natural inhibition against speaking out and drawing attention to themselves, even when those reluctant Body members hear the Lord's prompting. The pastor needs to have a good grasp on the gift of discernment, or have someone present who does, to sense when a believer is shyly resisting the Lord's prompts, thinking it to be his own thought.

There are occasions when individuals who seek recognition, or are satanically induced, try to disrupt, mislead, or even take over the meeting, but through such charismatic gifts as discerning of spirits and words of knowledge and wisdom, the Spirit will alert the elders how to handle the situation.

Through the various manifestations of the Charismatic gifts, our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, is revealed to be alive and well, and ministering at His Father's right hand for the sake of His Bride. The bells on His garment are tinkling loudly indicating that His sacrifice is accepted by God, and our sins are indeed, forgiven, and we have a living hope. The one factor that sets Christianity apart from all Satan's counterfeit religions is that we have the genuine activity of the Holy Spirit in our midst through the gifts, and they don't. What does a fundamentalist (un-charismatic) church have that a gathering of Christian Science practitioners doesn't? Any cult or shallow religion can plan meetings, give meaningful sermons, plan a theme through songs, solos, testimonies, prayers and readings, and induce a feeling of well-being; but only a meeting led by the Holy Spirit can produce holiness in the life of the believer.

This is why Satan and his minions war so hard against the gifts, causing either outright rejection, counterfeit replication (as Mormons do), or misappropriate usage of them. The true gifts reveal the risen Lord Jesus (1Jn. 4:1&2) and expose Satan's counterfeit religions for what they are-- cheap imitations. The mockery of the gifts, such as Mormons display, have no real power to bring one in touch with the eternal God. Satan fights tooth and nail against the true and proper use of the gifts in the Church of Jesus Christ because he knows he is doomed if Christians grasp and understand spiritual realities.

Jesus did warn that there would be those who used various gifts, yet never knew Him. Therefore, the Church, if she fails to utilize the tools and weapons the Lord has given her to be built up in love as well as defeat satanic deceptions, will soon lose touch with her High Priest and the power of His ministry. He has given these tools and weapons in the form of gifts that must be exercised on the spiritual plane so that the Church might be established (Rom. 1:11) in a hostile and dangerous environment. If the Church remains on a purely natural plane, and doesn't encounter the virulent spiritual counterattack for wrestling in the spiritual realm with principalities and powers, she suffers lack nonetheless, due to stagnation. The Lord wants His church to grow in spiritual prowess, not natural abilities and talents, for only the power of the Spirit will redound in giving Him glory.

The gifts of the Spirit in a truly spiritual assembly give assurance that the Church’s hope is fixed on realities as vital today as when first delivered from the quills of the apostles. The Faith is not some stuffy, irrelevant, archaic, obsolete system of creeds developed by the ancients, but is vital and vibrant, attested to by bells ringing loud and clear that every jot and tittle is as meaningful and powerful today as it was then. If a meeting of saints has none of the Holy Spirit's manifestations, can it be called a true church?

HOW TO HANDLE THE ISLAMIC THREAT

HOW TO HANDLE THE ISLAMIC THREAT

J.M.MacLEOD

The furor over expansion and building of mosques is dividing our nation. Local and federal agencies are proving ineffective in combating this invasion of a foreign and, until recently, virtually unknown religion. America would no longer be America if her citizenry gave religious freedom to some but withheld it from others.

That is not, however, to say that something peaceful, aboveboard and in line with America’s heritage can’t be done to stop the spread of Islam with its religious-governmental culture.

America is filled with Christian churches with millions of those who believe the principles of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. A careful study of the New Testament reveals that Christ not only bore our sins and gives salvation to whoever believes, but that He also equipped His Church for spiritual warfare. This spiritual warfare doesn’t wrestle against flesh and blood (i.e. people) but rather engages the spiritual forces behind hostile governments and false religions. Paul wrote that the (spiritual) weapons of our warfare are not carnal (i.e. natural) but they are powerful—to the pulling down of strongholds.

Instead of relying on petitions, demonstrations, etc. (carnal weapons), the Church of Jesus Christ ought also to utilize the gifts and weapons Jesus gave: fasting, prayer, the authority of binding and loosing and praying for the salvation of those deceived by the god(s) of this world.

 Kindness and love, along with the bold declaration of the Gospel, are the powerful and effective armaments of Christ’s soldiers that have sustained the Church for two thousand years. We must not abandon these weapons and tactics in this present struggle.

This is a call for believers to organize and persistently rise up in the name of our Lord Jesus and oppose the encroaching spirit of Islam, as well as lovingly, earnestly pray for the enlightenment of Muslims to find the truth.

WORSHIP, part Two

WORSHIP, PART II

By

J.M.MacLEOD

Worship of God is given to humanity as protection from abusing free will.

Some years ago a film depicted an encounter between a young man and the fallen angel, Lucifer. The young man asked Lucifer why he left heaven. The conversation went something like this:

“So why did you leave if heaven is supposed to be all that wonderful?” the young man asked.

Lucifer replied, “Here, I’ll sit on this pedestal while you parade around me extolling my virtues.”

“Okay,” said the young man, and he proceeded to do a dance around the pedestal where Lucifer perched. “You are wonderful, you are wise, you are beautiful… How long do I have to keep this up?”

“Keep going, you’re doing fine. I’ll tell you when”

After several more turns around the pedestal the young man, breathing heavily, said, “Look here, I’m getting tired of this.”

“Oh, keep on, you’re just getting the hang of it.”

“Very well, for a while longer.”

After several more turns the young man stopped his dance and said, “This is all very boring, you know. I’m not going to do it any more.”

Lucifer smiled and said, “Now you know why I left heaven.”

The filmmaker’s point seemed to be that heaven must be a very boring place—and the God of heaven must be an egomaniac wanting constant adoration and worship for all time and eternity.

There is, aside from the truth that God really is worthy to be continually worshipped, a very practical reason why God has arranged to receive worship from His children.

CORRUPTED BY ABUSING FREE WILL

It’s been lamented by some that God gave men and angels free will because free will ultimately led to damnation. Free will involves risk; so why would a loving God allow His created beings to handle something so dangerous? But there is a way, in fact, only one way, for humanity to exercise this freedom of choice and yet not be destroyed.

Free will is the gift of God, to both men and angels; but it’s a double-edged sword. Free will serves as the sieve that separates the faithful from the reprobate. Without giving His creation free will, God wouldn’t have anyone to return love to Him. Creating a robot that’s programmed to “love” could never satisfy a loving being, much less the One Who’s very essence is love.

So, let’s examine the root of free will abuse. How did such a marvelous gift of independence get turned into something so damaging?

It begins with Lucifer. Lucifer’s heavenly position was “the Anointed Cherub that covereth.”

 Eze 28:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.  13   Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.  14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (KJV)

Though this prophecy is addressed to the king of Tyre, it is more specific to the spirit indwelling the human king of Tyre, for the description wasn’t true of the man; for instance, the king of Tyre had never been in Eden. Lucifer is actually the one described in this passage. He had been given a place of great honor and power in heaven; he was beautiful, he was musical (vs. 13), and… anointed.

Anointed? What does that mean… and for what purpose?

We speak of “the Anointing” in Christian circles today and mean, “The Holy Spirit’s presence.” So too, we may conclude that Lucifer, before his fall, was under the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to perform his duties. He was the worship leader of heaven, conducting the praise from myriad angels to God, like a priest offering the prayers of people and bringing them to God’s altar.

Lucifer? Anointed with the Holy Spirit?

What else could the term “Anointed Cherub” mean? Either God influenced (not forced) the affairs of heaven (including Lucifer) through His Spirit’s persuasion or He was, as deists thought, an absentee landlord who just wound up creation like a watch and set it on its own course. It is immediately obvious that an “absentee landlord” wouldn’t have provided such a marvelous salvation at the price God paid to redeem us.

Like man, angels have free will. As long as Lucifer used his free will to worship the One that was greater than he, he was safe from destroying himself with wrong choices. But he chose to glorify his own beauty and power; in so doing he became arrogant. He envied the worship he presented to God. He envisioned himself sitting on God’s throne, receiving the adoration of multitudes. At some point Lucifer abused the free will given by God, and chose to worship himself, thus becoming egocentric. In so choosing, he grieved the Holy Spirit and was bereft of the anointing.

Isa. 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High…

Lucifer’s heady rebellion spread, drawing one-third of the angels to him in his quest to glorify self rather than God. And Lucifer brought rebellion to naïve mankind on earth. Here was a domain he could usurp from the appointed steward and establish his own version of “heaven,” with himself ruling as a god. The wonderful gift of free will that God had given him was corrupted by his seeking and doing what he wanted instead of choosing to submit to God’s will.

Free will, as God intended, is to learn and choose to do His will out of loyalty, thankfulness and love. Of course, He could have programmed the behaviors He wanted into men and angels, but then their obedience wouldn’t have been a freely given expression of love and fidelity, but rather, mere programming. For the God of heaven to be Love Personified yet have no object to lavish love upon and have them freely love Him in return would make the universe meaningless.

To demonstrate the depths of His love, God created mankind though knowing they would fall under Lucifer’s spell. Because of the rebellion Lucifer had provoked, God wanted to demonstrate His inherent nature of redemption as a contrast against satanic selfishness, making it possible for heaven’s and earth’s inhabitants to more fully comprehend the depths of God’s magnificent capacity to love.

Lucifer’s abuse of free will by perverting the concept of love into self-love instead of love and care for others corrupted even heaven. That’s why there will also be a new heaven when the old earth is replaced.

THE DANGER OF HAVING FREE WILL

When Lucifer and his minions misused free will, their natures mutated, becoming unclean and defiled; they became slaves to corrupt desires, in effect, losing their free will. They stayed glorious and holy only as long as they used free will to submit to and acknowledge God’s ultra-ness. Thus fallen angels are irredeemable because they knowingly chose disobedience despite the obvious consequences. When Lucifer and his minions refused to worship the Source of life and truth, they, in effect, became robotic beings—ruled by their rebellious natures; incapable of choosing to do anything except evil.

Intelligent beings, such as men and angels, must have a sense of significance or they are miserable. What Lucifer chose to ignore was the fact that men and angels only have significance as long as they freely choose to obey God’s will. Abandoning God is the same as abandoning significance. Without significance, sentient beings can know only frustration, despair, anger and hatred.

Unlike Lucifer and his demented followers who deliberately chose their path of self-destruction, mankind was deceived into joining the rebellion against God. Adam and Eve were created, not as holy, but innocent beings, neither holy nor unholy. The consequences of disobedience weren’t obvious to Adam and Eve before they partook of the forbidden fruit. Therefore, God, in demonstration of His mercy, didn’t immediately banish them from His presence, but made a way of redemption for them and their descendants if, during their limited lifespans, they’d turn from the self-serving creatures they were born as under Lucifer’s influence, and seek to serve Him.

Fallen mankind still has a vestige of this free will. But this opportunity to correctly use free will lasts only as long as breath remains in him. When he passes to the spiritual realm, if he hasn’t sought for and found God through Jesus Christ, he too will become like the demonic beings that preceded him—unable and unwilling to repent despite looming eternal punishment.

Nonbelievers are ensnared and controlled by sin and lust, gratifying whatever their hearts desire. The only thing they can do with their vestigial free will is use it to seek God.

The born-again believer has exercised free will properly and now seeks to follow God. But there are pitfalls. The believer will often be tempted to follow sinful or carnal desires instead of the Lord’s will. Demons try to override the believer’s deliberate choices to follow God with various lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes and the pride of life.

Here’s the dilemma: the Bible exhorts believers to put their old man to death and live holy lives. The question is, “how?” Believers, who that have the Holy Spirit, know they ought to rise above their lower nature’s urgings and live holy lives, but there’s a struggle to do so, and they often fail.

Furthermore, the temptations from evil spirits are strong; they know how to exploit their victims’ weaknesses. The Church seems to be unaware that such temptations are spiritual attacks, and as a result, many Christians live sub-par lives, struggling to overcome sin, feeling guilty, even doubting their salvation. They haven’t overcome their own lusts, much less resisted satanic attacks. Their choosing to not sin is impeded.

Rom. 7:18   For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  19   For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 

Immature believers (see I Jn. 2: 12-14 note that children—i.e. immature believers sin habitually) are trapped on a treadmill of trying to resist sin with their wills, but it is only a matter of time until they fall into sin again. Then they repent and climb on the treadmill of repentance again, promising to do better. They are unknowingly misusing their free will by trying to resist sin through their own efforts instead of overcoming via the method God has provided.

Paul concludes with the answer to this dilemma:

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord… Rom. 7:25

THE GUARDRAILS OF WORSHIP

This is where worship meets the need. Worship is recognizing and thankfully declaring the awesome worthiness of God. The deeper a believer knows God, the more awestruck he is by His beauty and magnificence as well as developing an increasing awareness of what He’s done for them; thus they’re drawn into worshipping Him all the more.

But worship must be free and sincere, otherwise it’s just an empty religious exercise. Churches spend a good portion of the service in singing hymns, but how many of those singing are actually worshipping? How many sense God’s presence as they sing? And how often do they sing to the Lord outside of the weekly church meeting? The answer to these probing questions will reveal the reasons why many believers are not experiencing victorious Christian lives. And free will is at the root of the solution.

Paul reveals the secret to overcoming temptations of the flesh such as drunkenness, and progressing to live a holy life:

Eph 5:17-20   Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…

This passage contains all the elements of worship: knowing and desiring God’s will, vocalizing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; making up one’s own songs of praise to the Lord, and being thankful.

When we’re filled—anointed—with the Spirit, by choosing to engage in sincere worship, we’re empowered to overcome the lusts of the flesh.

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

So how do we get “filled” with the Spirit? By using our free will to choose to worship God, as the Ephesian passage suggests.

            Free will is a very risky thing. Like it or not, God has given us free will and won’t violate our right to choose to obey or reject Him. In having free will, mankind is responsible for using it wrongly, or using it rightly. As fallen beings, we need to remember that we’re prone to the misuse of free will… but wise use of it entails worship of God.

            Satan used his free will to turn away from worshipping the only One worthy of worship. He permanently corrupts himself by misusing, and thus losing, free will. Worshipping God is the only thing that could have kept him safe from self-destruction, but he rejected it.

Even believers haven’t passed beyond the existential dangers of free choice. But God has given His children a way to escape this fallen world’s pull toward evil—worship. By abiding in the Spirit, under His anointing, and choosing a lifestyle of worship, we’re safeguarded from selfish snares, temptations and human weaknesses.

True, sincere worship of our loving Heavenly Father and our Redeemer Jesus Christ, is the guardrail along the dangerous highway of life that keeps us out of the ditch of the wreckage of a wasted existence and instead, on the road of spiritual progress toward holiness.

Worship-- Part One

WORSHIP

Part one

By J.M. MacLEOD

John 4:23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

            Worship has become a buzz-word among Christians. One can hardly tune in Christian radio or television programming without hearing the mantra that worship will heal the Church, make up for deficiencies, bring the unsaved to their knees and even hasten the return of the Lord Jesus. Worship is extolled as the doorway to God’s throne, as if, just participating in worship will negate the effects of sin, error, compromise, pride and stubbornness harbored by the believer, ushering one into the very presence of the Lord. It seems in some circles as if worship has rolled all duties and practice of “The Faith” into simply singing about the Lord.

            Worship-leaders practice and drill their teams, getting the songs perfect, creating an atmosphere conducive to holy feelings. Worship leaders often “cheerlead,” trying to obtain a “proper” response from the congregation. As such, music ministry has become an accepted occupation in the church. In fact, many singer/musicians consider themselves a New Testament-sanctioned ministry.

Whether in small or large meetings, worshippers vigorously indulge in cathartic singing, seeking some emotional form of what they suppose is spirituality. In some cases this has led to bizarre activities, but for many of those caught up in the excitement of the music and “spirit of the moment”, it seems to be a beneficial release from care, doubt, guilt and fear they brought in to church with them.

But is what takes place in many churches really worship?

To be sure, a large portion of the Church has yet to experience the exhilaration of release in true, Spirit-anointed worship. Many older denominations frown upon (what they consider to be) reckless abandon to dancing in the Spirit, hand-raising and “snappy” songs, choosing instead to stick with organ recitals and hymnbooks. For others, singing is something to be endured as a formality until the pastor gets to the “good stuff.”

Only when fully initiated into the spiritual realm can one participate in genuine, spiritual worship. This is why spiritual gifts are given to those who are filled with the Spirit.

Worship ought to be an exciting part of one’s daily relationship with the Lord, involving: gratefulness, love, repentance and devotion, adoration mixed with tears and/or laughter; awe and humility, exultation in His triumph and identification with His suffering.

Scripture gives us some sobering pictures of worship that modern day Asaphs would do well to heed.

           Eccl. 5: 1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they’re doing evil.

2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.

Here the Preacher warns against hasty words in the House of God. For the purposes of this topic, this applies not only to testimonies and teaching, but to whatever is uttered in the time of worship—including singing.

How often do we mouth words with our lips but our hearts and or minds are far away?

How often do we declare, through song, devotion that isn’t really true?

We like the symbolism of offering the “sacrifice of praise”, but how much of what we offer is really to the Lord and not for the benefit of whoever might be hearing or observing us?

I Sam. 4:1-11 recounts the last day of Eli and his sons as priests of the Lord. Israel was defeated in a battle, and so, thought that if they’d had the Ark of the Covenant in battle before them they couldn’t help but win. This could appear to be but wasn’t spiritual worship; rather, it was selfish motives and presumption that they could twist God’s arm into performing what they wanted Him to do. They took the ark into battle praising God with such a loud noise that the Philistines were rattled so badly that they went out and defeated the Israelites again! All Israel’s noisy praise availed nothing, and in fact, lost for them what presence of God they had.

           A second event involving a great deal of praise and the Ark is worth recounting.

2 Sam. 6: 4 So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. 5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.

           How could David and company not worship? Yet for all that, their worship wasn’t pleasing to the Lord.

           6:6  But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the Lord's outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.

           The worship accompanying the transporting of the Ark was of the soul and flesh. Everybody thought it was a great idea to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, assuming God didn’t care how it was done, just that it was done. Instead of following the protocols for transporting the ark, they put it on an ox cart. This wasn’t God’s revealed method, but a man-made alteration of what they supposed God would accept. God wasn’t impressed with their originality, their musical accompaniment, their great crowds of hand-clapping shouters; nor was He going to overlook their failure to follow His rules for transporting the Ark, even though His “favorite son,” David, initiated it. Worship must be in accordance with His holiness—which is by His Spirit’s leading, and in the truth.

Let’s return this discussion of worship to what Jesus meant in His conversation to the woman at the well.

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; (John 4:23)

Here Jesus referred to the cataclysmic change He was introducing. Moses had received the Law for the nation of Israel, but that paradigm of worship was merely a type and shadow of the reality. The Passover Lamb didn’t really atone for their sins, the sacrifices didn’t really bring peace with God, and the Temple wasn’t really the intended dwelling place of God for all eternity. All these were types and shadows of the reality Messiah would accomplish. He was the true Passover Lamb taking away the sins of the world; He was embodiment of the guilt offerings, the peace offerings, the wave offerings, etc.; and He is the habitation of God the Father and the vehicle of the Holy Spirit. The three days and nights from crucifixion to resurrection was a period of time that transitioned the universe from the shadow to the real, from the predictive to the fulfillment.

Now the woman at the well had no concept of what He was saying. She had her concept of worship; as a Samaritan she supported the argument that worship in Samaria was just as good as worship at Jerusalem. In the verses preceding, Jesus gently rebukes her by telling her that Samaritans had no idea of what real worship was; worship was given to the Jews (as opposed to the imported and half-breed Samaritans) to be held only at the Temple in Jerusalem where YHWH accepted the sacrifices.

But all that was about to change …an hour is coming, and now is… whereby Jesus declared Himself the anti-type of the types and shadows. Relationship to God was only through Him, not the sacrifices, laws & regulations of Judaism, nor even the Temple. Only the God-man could bring reconciliation between Creator and created.

As a menu is discarded when the meal is produced, so too, the image of the item, in this case Judaism, is put aside in preference of the reality, Jesus.

…the true worshipers… Here Jesus declares that there is such a thing as true worship. The implication is that if there is true worship, there must also be false worship. To the woman, Jesus implied that the Samaritans were false worshippers compared to the Jerusalem worshippers. But then He went a step further by saying that neither in that mountain (Samaria) nor in Jerusalem was there true worship, because it was all type and shadow. Nevertheless, now that He’d come, true worship was possible—not in any physical, earthly place, but in the spiritual realm.

…shall worship the Father in spirit and truth… These then are the conditions for true worship. In fact, these are the qualities that the Father seeks in His children. Worship must originate in the spirit, not the flesh, (i.e. the soul), though elements of the flesh (the physical body) and the soul (mind, will, emotions) are also to be employed. The body and soul are the vehicle of the spirit, expressing love, admiration and fealty to God, but they’re to be used under the leading of the inner, spirit-man who is to be under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Worshipping in only soul and body results in self-exhibitionism, performance, conformity— and actually is worship of one’s self.

The first prerequisite the Father seeks in a worshipper is for them to be operating in the spiritual realm. Today’s Church has confused the difference between soulish and spiritual. Experiences of deep emotion and physical sensations are thought of as spiritual, and are therefore pursued. But such manifestations take place in the soul, not the spirit. This isn’t to say, however, that such manifestations do not accompany true worship. They can, and sometimes do. However, for the spiritual worshipper, such manifestations are never the focus or the the goal, and usually come as a surprise! The soulish believer seeks emotional feelings, not the Lord.

The Holy Spirit’s leading is a deeper process than our minds can comprehend.  The inner man receives intuitive information on the spiritual plain, not an educated one. Our minds are of the soul, and therefore must learn everything by natural means. Not so the spirit. In the spirit, the believer receives information that he hasn’t experienced nor been taught, but which comes directly from the Holy Spirit via intuition. The spiritual believer has as a goal the pouring out of their heart to the Lord as the Holy Spirit prompts. This may take the form of: adoration, thanksgiving, seeking solace, petition, expression of love… But it such activities must originate from the Holy Spirit, not the flesh. The soulish believer’s mind is usually filled with wants, needs, worries, urgencies, boredom… all of which may be valid as he/she clamors for an audience with the King to obtain some relief.

Jesus, by His perfect sacrifice, opened the way for the Holy Spirit to permanently indwell us, opening the doorway to the spiritual realm. But since we started life as carnal beings, we tend to rely on our carnal aptitudes: intelligence, attractiveness, persuasiveness, will power…. When we became born again of God’s Spirit we were inducted into an entirely new realm; a realm alien to the flesh, a realm where intelligence, attractiveness, persuasiveness and will power are ineffective as far as God’s purposes are concerned.

God’s ways are higher than man’s ways, His thoughts higher than man’s thoughts. God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must approach Him in that realm. This is what truly makes man higher than animals, we have the capacity for dwelling in the spiritual realm and enjoying God’s Person. God created us as spiritual beings, and intends for us to rise above our carnal existence, letting the new spiritual nature rule the soul and the body. So too, true worship can only come from those who’ve been born again.

Truth is the second prerequisite sought by the Father. According to the words of Jesus, the only true worshippers are those who come to God with an increasing grasp on the truth. Fortunately for us, the amount of truth a believer possesses in the beginning of this pursuit isn’t a factor. A brand-spanking-new believer who only knows that he’s saved is as welcome to enter worship the Father as a mature apostle. Of course, as one advances in knowledge of God, the more one’s worship experience is enriched and the relationship to the Lord deepens.

Errors of  “The Faith” inhibits true worship; the degree of error determines how limited true worship is. The more deception, the less true the worship. Col. 2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.  It’s sad when those in error try to convince themselves that they’re having meaningful worship when they’re not! That occurs when the soul and flesh attempt to generate or counterfeit worship. This is aided and abetted by religious demons who cleverly imitate the voice of the Holy Spirit to the undiscerning. A believer can become undiscerning when he’s grieved the Holy Spirit by unconfessed sin or by believing error!

The Holy Spirit is known as the Spirit of Truth, and as such, is zealous that we seek, believe and obey only truth. When a believer consistently ignores the Spirit’s corrective nudges to research a matter deeper, He is grieved, interrupting communication between God and the believer, thus creating a vacuum that deceptive spirits are only too glad to fill. Satan’s purpose is accomplished when believers get derailed from the truth. Although Satan would prefer to get believers involved in the big, hairy, ugly sins, he’ll settle for slight untruths.

Every time we perform our worship conscious of who might be watching; every time leaders coerce crowds with manipulative techniques; every time we convince ourselves to believe something the Word of God doesn’t clearly state, we become candidates for false worship. Every time we emphasize the mechanics of the music, the cadence of the prayer, the “spiritual tone of voice”, or use religious (intellectual) language to impress, we are untrue in our worship. Whenever we conform to the prevailing mode of worship rather than sense and do what the Father wants from our spirit-man, we violate truth, thus invalidating our worship.

Does God want our music to be out of time, or disharmonious? Does he want our musicians unpracticed, our choirs unrehearsed? Does He care if hands are raised, or hymnbooks used? Does He not want tender, holy feelings aroused by certain kinds of music?

Suffice it to say that these questions will eventually be settled as long as the two prerequisites Jesus sets forth are met. If we persist in seeking to worship spirit and in truth, the Holy Spirit will govern outer manifestations.

Parallel to that, it is this writer’s experience as past worship team member and part of the five-fold ministry to mention some additional thoughts on worship.

The New Testament does not mention music as a ministry! Some, however, remove all musical instruments from the gathering of believers, which is an argument from silence (therefore invalid) and exceeds what the Word says.

However, most of the modern Church has followed the world’s concept of musicians as being spiritual leaders. The world follows drug abusing, violent, raucous, promiscuous musical artists for their opinion on everything from personal matters to world politics because they’ve excelled as musical celebrities. So too, in the Church, recording artists who may have little to no experience in living out The Faith are sought for advice and/or leadership.

Scripture only recognizes six ministry gifts that Jesus gave to the Church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers and deacons. Nowhere is “worship leader” or “entertainer/singer/comedian” mentioned.

This doesn’t preclude music from the Church, however, for as in the Old Testament, some of those appointed by God as prophets played musical instruments as they prophesied. The same is true of the New Testament gift ministries. An evangelist may be used to bring the Gospel via the medium of music, but his calling and focus should be his evangelistic gift, not the music. It is well and good for those called to a spiritual ministry to utilize their natural musical talents, as the Lord permits, and they should be competent performers so as to not distract from the message of the music. Nevertheless, the music ought not be the focus. The Lord certainly knew the potential of music, yet saw fit to not ordain music as a ministry in  the New Testament. Perhaps this is because there’s an inherent danger in music—after all Lucifer was the anointed Cherub, leading the worship of heaven prior to his fall.

The foolishness of preaching is the primary method God’s ordained ministries should focus on. All else is secondary.

Music should be more than for  just “softening up the crowd.” The songs and hymns ought to be such that the worshipper carries them away in his heart, to be recalled during the week as they enter into prayer or do battle with the spirits that war against their souls. Music that is so esoteric as to require high levels of skill to sing or play may have its place, but how much better to give worshippers some catchy tunes with meaningful words as well? In this way worship becomes a life style, not just a once a week encounter.

One final thought—many of us find it easier to put on a CD or tape and half listen to it in the background, thinking of ourselves as worshipping. Although it may produce a holy atmosphere, if you’re not participating from your spirit, it’s just so much noise.

I know a worship leader who commuted to work took 90 minutes twice a day. He spent the time whole-heartedly singing along with worship tapes. This man spent three hours every workday just reveling in the good things of the Lord; he knew the pathway into the heavenlies. When he stood before the assembly on Sunday mornings to lead worship, the gates of heaven opened for those attuned to the moving of the Spirit. Seldom have I encountered the presence of God as intensely as when that anointed worship leader raised his hands and gave praise with his mouth.

May we all be more like him.

Worship, to be continued…

Final edition of 'Last Trek'

LAST TREK OF THE THIRD DIMENSION

By J.M.MacLEOD

Part Three

THE INTER-DIMENSIONAL TELESCOPES

            Amy steered the ATV across the moon’s dust-gray field toward an isolated structure. It was an observatory. Kyle noted that they were the very first to leave the History of Species Man Exhibit, and in the relative quiet of the moonscape, Kyle took the opportunity to mull over the change within himself. Amy subtly kept an eye on her charge, smiling at his brooding; it was the best of all reactions a guide hoped for.

As they drew near the observatory, Kyle asked, "What happened to the Corrupter? Obviously he isn't destroyed, for you said he might yet play a part in the final throes of the nations?"

            "The answer to that question lies just ahead; this is the observatory of the inter-dimensional telescope. Oh look, I believe your father is standing by the railing?"
            "Yes, it is." Kyle waved tentatively, wondering if his Dad was able to recognize him at that distance.

            "He'll be pleased to know you're the first to graduate."

            Amy parked the vehicle and rejoined Kyle who was already at his father's side.

            "Any trouble?" Glenn asked Amy.

            Amy flipped through a clipboard and answered with a bright smile, "Just a little, at the same place, according to our records, you also balked. It's a good thing I checked, or I'd have been concerned."

            Glenn laughed. "How many exhibits?"

            "All of the first, and two thirds of the second."

            "Really? It took me four fifths of the second."
            "Kyle has a good understanding; he'll do well."

            "I now know how much I owe Our Defender, Dad. Can't wait till my Pilgrimage when I actually meet him."

            Amy said, "Your first act as a pilgrim now is to see what would have become of you had Our Defender not intervened."

            "The telescope, right?"

            Amy pointed to a steep stairway with a secured door at the top.

            "Are you sure I'm ready?"

            "Kyle, nothing can prepare you for what you're about to see. Just remember this: such drastic measures are absolutely necessary.”

            "Well, lead on."
            "No, now that you’re a pilgrim, you must go alone. Your father and I will wait here. Another will be your guide in there. Few of us from the Blessed Generations can witness those things more than once."

            Glenn Stone had a somber expression on his usually buoyant face.

            Kyle turned toward the stairs, suddenly finding it hard to swallow. His knees felt weak as he climbed and knocked on the portal.

            “Enter,” came a deep voice.

Except for small lights embedded along the sides of the ascending stairway, it was dark inside. Kyle closed the door behind and paused, unsure what to do next; the stairs were steep—almost like a ladder.

            "Come up," said came the same authoritative, masculine voice.

            At the top of the steps was a robed figure. Though the room was dark, and his cloak was dark, there was no lack of light around him, indeed, the man himself seemed to glow. His deep voice was firm but friendly. This was one of the Rulers. Kyle sucked in a deep breath and climbed.

            "You recognize my office?" The Ruler asked when Kyle arrived at the top.

            Kyle could only nod.

            "You’ve eaten the fruit?"

            Kyle nodded again; afraid to speak lest his voice squeak.

            The Ruler turned and sighed, or so it seemed to Kyle, as he said, "Every duty is a joy—except this one. Nevertheless, it’s required. You’ll understand.” He pointed and said,  “Sit in that seat and look into the eyepiece."

            The “eyepiece” was a two feet square screen suspended from the ceiling and angled over the seat. Kyle tried to make himself comfortable despite his unease at being in the presence of one who had died during the Great Purge, yet lived.

            The Ruler went to an instrument panel and began dialing knobs and throwing switches. "Relax, Kyle. Nothing is expected of you except to observe. Tell me what you see."

            Kyle cleared his throat. "Okay."

A panel slid away from the screen, revealing three glowing orbs.

            "What do you see, Kyle?"

            "I'm not sure. It sort of looks like three stars, but not any I've ever studied before."

            "Correct. You’re looking farther than any earth telescope has ever looked. You’re seeing the Three Guardians of the Third Dimension. Beyond is another dimension. Photons, quarks, isotons, etceteras are worthless past that point. The images you’re about to see consist of mattons—the primary particles of existence in all dimensions. There’s a vision translator mounted to your eyepiece so you can make sense of what you see." He pressed a button, and the eyepiece crackled as it warmed with electricty, then turned greenish-gray. "Talk to me, tell me what you see."

            "Uh, I see some kind of opening, hold on, it’s barred. But there’s a hole in space."

            "Correct. Continue."

            "It's like I'm flying through the opening, and umm, I see pretty lights with odd little things swirling around."

            "Look closer Kyle, those aren't lights. What are they?"

            "Uh, I see better now. Fires! The fires seem to be connected somehow, but they are flames, right?"

            "And the odd little things swirling around?"

            "I can't quite… identify them. They're unlike anything I've ever seen before. Oh! They're alive! How can creatures live in such intense fire? Oh wait… they have faces and arms and..." Kyle pulled away from the eyepiece and looked at the Ruler, his eyes wide, brows raised and lips slightly parted.

            "Keep looking Kyle, and never forget. They’re just waiting in that hellish prison now. But the final judgment soon approaches. Then their anguish will increase like they never thought possible."

            Kyle reluctantly watched the writhing human souls. Each person had been reduced to a worm-like creature, retaining vestigial arms and legs and fully recognizable facial features. Whenever one wriggled too close to another it turned savagely like a viper, biting, hissing and gnashing its teeth.

            "I personally knew the one on the left," the Ruler said. "He often boasted how it would be better to reign in hell than serve in heaven, quoting a popular song of our day."

            "It's horrible."

            "It’s just."

            "Eating the fruit deserves this?"

            "Worse. And for eternity, relentlessly. All of Creation would unravel if disobedience went unchecked."

            Kyle felt nauseous.

            "Remember Kyle, they chose their fate. Nothing could persuade them to turn from their own ways. Keep watching as I shift the scene."

            The screen panned over billions of writhing souls until there was a vast gap. Kyle released his pent-up breath.

Then, at the edge of three dimensional existence Kyle beheld a fiery lake.

            "Where are they now?" the Ruler mused to himself, searching his viewfinder. "Oh, I see them. Take a close look, at the one on the left, Kyle. That’s the Imposter—we called him the Beast, the Antichrist. I believe you asked what he looked like? The other man was his prophet. These two were as monstrous as the Corrupter himself, warranting judgment immediately, not waiting the time out as the others who languish in their fiery prison.

            Kyle was un able to take his eyes off the two men; their flesh bubbled and boiled as they gnawed their tongues in agony. He turned away. "That place is much hotter, it seems. Those waiting in prison will be sent here too, won’t they?"

            The Ruler made no reply.

            "This is the price for taking what was forbidden?"

            "This is the consequence of disobedience. With good reason was the knowledge of good and evil forbidden at the time of beginnings."

            "And what of the one who started this corruption?"

            The scope panned to a new position. "Look there on the border, the very edge of Hell. Do you see the pit of nothingness? Look closely along the sides."

            Kyle studied the area and made out a large half-reptile, half-man creature that was suspended by a chain—shackled to the sides of the pit. His features sagged in grief. From his emaciated body drooped leathery wings that scraped the side of the pit. His expression declared he was the most wretched of all creatures. He mouthed a phrase over and over. Kyle tried to make out what he was saying.

            As if reading Kyle's thoughts, the Ruler said, "He's speaking in the Cerubi tongue, saying, 'I'm sorry, so, so sorry. I never knew it would turn out this way. I wish I'd never started it. Is there any hope I can make things right? Can I be redeemed?' He's been saying that exact phrase since the moment he was shut up there some nine hundred plus years ago."

            "He seems sincere. Does he mean it?"

            "I’m not allowed to say. But I can tell you this: the fate of those in hell hinges on whether he’s still rebellious when he’s finally released. As of yet, only the Beast and the false prophet have been sentenced to the eternal death—thrown alive and never to physically perish into the Lake of Fire. At sentencing, all those ‘worms’ will be clothed with human bodies again, to stand judged as humans, not disembodied spirits. If deemed worthy of punishment, they’ll be cast into the Lake of Fire, fully fleshed with indestructible, yet sentient bodies, always existing, never to cease suffering. Their fate will be sealed when the Corrupter is released from his prison and final evidence is presented to render a verdict."

            "I don't wish to be rude, but … I've seen enough. Is there anything else I must see?"

            "You have seen enough. Congratulations, pilgrim."

                                                                        ~

            It was late when Kyle crept into his bedroom. Scooter was still awake however, waiting. "Hey Kyle, how was it? Tell me all about it."

            "Hi Scooter. It was... well, great, I guess. I'll never be the same. It’s just too much for words. You'll see when you get to go."

            Scooter flopped down on his pillow. "That's what everybody says," he sighed.

But, his last trek would come.

The End… for now…