

WORSHIPERS

in

SPIRIT

and in

TRUTH

TEACH ME TO ADORE YOU!

Copyright © 2015 by Joel Perdomo

NOTE

THIS IS AN ENGLISH TRANSLATIÓN FROM THE ORIGINAL BOOK: "ADORADORES EN ESPÍRITU Y EN VERDAD",

WRITEN IN SPANISH BY JOEL PERDOMO.

WE APOLOGIZE IF ANY UNVOLUNTARY MISTAKE WAS MADE IN THIS TRANSLATION.

IMPORTANT

THIS BOOK IS AN OFFERING TO GOD AND COPYRIGHT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ON EARTH.

SO:

  * IT CAN BE SHARED FREE OF CHARGE BY ANY POSSIBLE WAY.

  * CAN BE PRINTED - NON-PROFIT.

  * IT CAN BE TRANSLATED TO ANY LANGUAGE - WITHOUT ALTERING ITS ORIGINAL CONTENT.

  * IT IS A GIFT FROM JOEL PERDOMO TO THE BELOVED CHURCH OF CHRIST. GIVING BY GRACE, WHAT BY GRACE HAS RECEIVED.

GOD BLESS YOU!

JOEL PERDOMO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter - 1 - THE WORSHIP

I. WORSHIPING GOD...9

a. Worship and worshiper

b. Recognition of God is voluntary

II. THE REASON OF WORSHIP...12

a. God is the sovereign Creator

b. The Creator and his creatures

c. God's testimony

III – WORSHIPPING THE CREATOR...18

a. Worshiping God is voluntary

b. Androlatry

Chapter - 2 – WORSHIP AND PRAISE

I. WORSHIPER, MUSICIAN AND SINGER...23

a. Worship is a lifestyle

b. God longs for a relationship of intimate communion with his children

c. Biblical examples of intimate communion with God

Chapter - 3 – TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I. WORSHIP IS NOT AN ACTION, IT IS A LIFESTYLE IN THE CHRISTIAN...31

a. Living temples of the Holy Spirit

b. The Holy Spirit is jealous of his temple

II. THE OFFERINGS AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP...35

a. God knows the human mind and heart

b. The offering of Cain and Abel

c. God judges with fair judgment

III. THE CONSECRATION OF THE LEVITES...39

a. Separated for worship

b. Chosen for their sanctification; not for their talents

IV. WORSHIPERS OF GOD'S OWN HEART...43

a. David as a worshiper

b. A worshiper of God's own heart

c. Characteristics of David as a worshiper

Chapter - 4 - THE PRAISE IN GOS'S WORSHIPING

I. THERE IS VICTORY IN PRAISE...49

a. The Bible invites us to praise the Creator

b. Celebrating the victories in praise

c. Power and anointing in praise

d. God's glory in praise

II. MUSIC AS AN INSTRUMENT OF WORSHIP...59

a. The battle for true worship

b. The instruments of praise

c. The type of praise

Chapter – 5 – GOD SEEKS TRUE WORSHIPERS

I. JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN...63

a. The temple of the Holy Spirit

b. Worshipers in Spirit and in Truth

II. THE JOY OF THE LORD...67

a. Joy in the life of the worshiper

b. The restoration of the joy in the children of God

c. The joy of the Lord is our strength

d. God dwells in the praises of His people

III. SACRIFICES OF PRAISE...72

a. The offerings of praise

b. Singing to God in our hearts

c. Praising God with the mind and thoughts

d. Praising God with our mouth

e What comes out of the mouth contaminates the human being

Chapter – 6 – FALSE WORSHIP

I. STRANGE FIRE IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD...83

a. The danger of falling into false worship

b. The apostasy in Christian music

c. Satan's deception in false worship

Chapter – 7 – THE CELESTIAL WORSHIP

I. ETERNAL WORSHIP...89

a. The restoration of worship

b. Worship in Heaven

c. Creation pays worship

d. The lordship of the heart

Chapter – 8 – THE BODY AS A LIVING AND HOLY SACRIFICE

I. FASTING AND PRAYER AS WORSHIP...95

a. The body as a living temple of worship

b. Fasting and prayer as acts of worship

ANNEXES...98

INTRODUCTION

WORSHIPERS IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

The concepts of worship written in this book have been extracted directly from the Bible and collect basic foundations about the worship of God.

Since worship is the only thing that we can offer voluntarily to God, this theme becomes one of the most important in the Christian life. Especially for those who, beforehand, are worshipers in spirit and in truth.

The subtitle of the book: "Teach me to adore you" is a personal request that I have had before God in prayer and that I would like to transmit to every worshiper.

I hope that this book will inspire you to perfect your adoration, and that at the same time it will produce joy in your heart, that will result in sacrifices of praise that will delight the heart of the heavenly Father.

I also pray that God will give the reader wisdom, in order to understand the great significance of adoration of his children before God.

Even the angels of God are amazed at our adoration (1 Peter 1:12), because they have a reason to worship Him, for they see the face of God (Matthew 18:10); but we worship him without having seen him.

That mystery of faith, which is the means that the Father chose to worship, is of great value in heaven. Not in vain the Bible points out that God seeks worshipers who worship him, in spirit and in truth:

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him (John 4:23).

I trust that this contribution about the knowledge of the adoration will help you to develop a deeper life of worship and intimate communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Joel Perdomo

CHAPTER 1 - THE WORSHIP

I. WORSHIPING GOD

a. Worship and worshiper

The word worship, in its etymological root, carries the sense of reverence, veneration and respect. In the Bible, it is accompanied by the action of bowing and prostrating the face on the ground, in reverence to someone superior. In this case, in reverence to God. As Abraham did, when the three angels appeared to him: 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground (Génesis 18: 2).

But the word worship, generally speaking, is a concept that encompasses every action of life of the worshiper (serving, praying, singing, giving, etc.).

Worship in spirit and in truth refers to a lifestyle in the Christian who, as a living temple of the Holy Spirit, lives in constant adoration.

Worship does not refer to a specific attitude or action only, such as: Kneeling, raising hands or singing solemnly. Those are just actioning or acts of worship. But, worship in spirit and in truth is to consecrate the whole being: Spirit, soul and body, in complete and permanent adoration to God, regardless of the circumstances.

Worship is not just an external or emotional manifestation that should always be noted, as: Sing, dance or shout with joy. It is possible that someone is worshiping with their fruits or actions and not to be seen externally. Jesus condemned religious worship to be seen by others:

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 6:1).

A Christian can worship God when he gives back what does not belong to him, forgives injustices, loves those who hate him and blesses those who curse him:

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

The Christian worships with his simplest actions: A look, a sicere greeting, a word. These are acts of worship, if they are done with love, respect and purity. You can also offend with a bad look, not sincere greeting or offensive word:

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health (Proverbs 12:18).

Every Christian is potentially a worshiper. The quality of worship and the worshiper (in spirit and in truth), depend on each.

b. The recognition of God is voluntary

The worship of God is voluntary. In the Bible there are examples of people who chose to recognize or reject God. When the three men visited Sodom, Abraham recognized them and received them as angels of God:

2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways (Genesis 19: 2a).

But, the people of Sodom did not recognize them. On the contrary, they wanted to hurt them:

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them (Genesis 19: 4-5).

II. THE REASON OF WORSHIP

a. God is the sovereign Creator

As the sovereign Creator of all that is visible and invisible (Col. 1:16), God is inherent in the power to govern his creation, and the authority to establish the guidelines of his relationship with the human being. This relationship is based on the loving and just character of God, revealed in the Bible; as it was revealed to Moses:

6 And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him. 7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter: which thing ought not to be done (Genesis 34: 6-7).

At first, God had full communion with the first couple. That was his initial plan. But, because of the sin (disobedience) of the human being, there was a break in that relationship.

The first thing we must understand about worship is the way God relates to his creatures. God is holy and cannot see sin. It is because of sin that the human being separated from God. To enjoy again an intimate relationship with God, humanity must adjust to his character and will revealed in the Bible.

It is according to the Bible that we must relate to God. If someone tries to please God as a faithful worshiper, he must first know without hesitation, the God of the Bible and do his will. That is the starting point for genuine worship.

b. The Creator and his creatures

One of the most relevant aspects that involves adoration is the fact that God, as the sovereign Creator of all things, has all power over his creation and deserves all adoration, for what He is. No other reason is needed. However, there are many reasons to worship him. As the simple fact of having created us:

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100: 3).

Not only did he make us, the Bible points out that, unlike other creatures, God made man in his image and likeness:

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Genesis 1: 26a).

We have indelible characteristics of God in our being, such as the fact of being beings, not only physical, but spiritual and eternal as God (whether for salvation or condemnation, the human being will live eternally, Daniel 12: 2, Matthew 25:46).

c. God's testimony

God has given mankind enough reasons to worship and recognize him as its Creator. But, God adoration takes a sense of humility in the worshiper, because it is voluntary. God does not force anyone to worship him:

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6: 8).

God is good and rewards those who, with faith, seek and obey Him:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11: 6).

God is worthy of being exalted by all his creatures:

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord (Psalm 148: 1-14).

God has spoken to humanity through the prophets, and finally through Jesus:

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (Hebrews 1:1-2).

But the creation also testifies about a wise and intelligent Creator. God has revealed himself, through his creation:

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1: 20-22).

God displays his glory through his creation:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalm 19: 1-7).

This Psalm notes that creation betrays the creator of the universe. Without the need for language, the order of nature testifies that there is a wise Creator, behind creation. Chaos or an explosion what produces is disaster. The order of the universe reveals the wisdom of God in his creation, the work of his hands.

God does not demand worship, He deserves it, but he will make a just judgment to those who ignore his authority and sovereign power.

III. WORSHIPING THE CREATOR

a. Worshiping God is voluntary

Satan is an example of the free will enjoyed by creatures made by God. He was a Cherub created by God, who because of his beauty was filled with pride and revealed himself against God. That shows that creatures made by God enjoy free will, even in heaven.

Satan, by voluntarily being an enemy of God, seeks to divert the human being from the adoration of God, because he knows that the only thing that the human being can give to God, of himself, is adoration. When the human being sins, Satan feels worshiped, whether the human being understands it or not:

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3: 8).

Since he was in heaven, Satan has sought to usurp the worship that belongs only to God:

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 (Isaiah 14: 12-14).

Satan is interested in worshiping the creation and not the Creator, so that the human being ends up condemned in hell, along with him:

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen (Romans 1: 23, 25).

Satan knows that the Bible teaches that the idolatry of any object, person or spirit is a cause of condemnation. He is behind idolatry:

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate (Exodus 20: 3-5).

The Bible points out that the one who worships images, worships demons and not God:

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils (1 Cor. 10: 19-20).

b. Androlatry

Androlatry is the adoration of the human being. One of the cleverest deceptions of Satan, against humanity, is to inoculate them with the poison of greatness. The same sin for which he was shot down from heaven.

Satan seeks that the human being idolizes himself, to get him away from God. The adoration of the human being has been present in all the history of humanity, after the fall.

In our society there are idols in all spheres: Science, beauty, sports, etc. People overflow to worship these human idols. Even the cinema awards are represented with a statue of the human being. This apparently innocuous is an open affront to the word of God.

The Bible points out that all authority comes from God, as the creator of all things. Obviously, there are good and bad authorities, and that depends on each leader. But, the authority itself was established by God so that there would be order in the world (Rom 13: 1). But many leaders forget that God rules over them (Daniel 4:17). In the Bible, it is Nebuchadnezzar, a king who had idolized himself:

30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Daniel 4: 30-32).

The prophecy warned that Nebuchadnezzar was going to be in a demented state, like a beast, because of his pride. But, God in his mercy, gave him the opportunity to recover his memory, after seven years:

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation (Daniel 4: 1-3).

The Bible narrates that Herod allowed the idolatry of himself and was eaten by worms, as divine judgment:

21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost (Acts 12: 21-23).

CHAPTER – 2 – WORSHIP AND PRAISE

I. WORSHIPER, MUSICIAN AND SINGER

a. Worship is a lifestyle

There is a great difference between a worshiper and being a singer or musician. God seeks worshipers in spirit and in truth. But sometimes it tends to confuse, even unconsciously, the concept of worshipers in spirit and in truth, with music. These are related to each other and music is important in the life of the worshiper; but, music is just an element of worship. It is not even the main thing. True worship embraces the integral being of the Christian: Spirit, soul and body:

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

More than an action, worship is a way of life in the Christian and implies, among other things: Obedience, fidelity, holiness, service, adoration, praise, fasting, prayer, etc. In a general sense, it is walking with God, as Enoch did:

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5: 23-24).

The degree of communion and intimacy that Enoch had developed with his Creator, was so deep, that God took him alive to heaven, to be with him.

The Bible points out that the departure of the saints to heaven is esteemed by God:

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116: 15).

Noah was another man consecrated to God, whom God delivered from the judgments he poured out on earth, during the universal flood:

9 Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God (Gen. 6: 9b).

The Prophet Elijah also testified good works that please God and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire:

11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

The Bible points out that there were people so consecrated to Him on earth that the world did not deserve these saints to live surrounded by evil:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth (Hebrews 11: 36-38).

b. God longs for a relationship of intimate communion with his children

All the chaos that exists in the world is a product of the rupture of the intimate relationship between God and the human being, caused by the original sin of Adam and Eve. The solution is the restoration of that intimate relationship between God and humanity.

The Bible points out that Jesus came to Earth to restore communion between God and human beings. He is the only mediator between God and men:

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2: 5).

Jesus came to the world to reconcile us with God:

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 1: 20-21).

The Bible points out that only those who are children of God, enjoy intimate communion with their Creator:

14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant (Psalm 25:14).

The fear of God is reverent, it becomes obedience. All human beings are God's creation, but only those who born again by the Spirit are children of God (John 1:12). The sinner must repent first to enjoy such communion:

32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous (Proverbs 3:32).

Every human being can worship, but God only receives an adoration that comes from a holy heart. The sinner can invoke God, asking for mercy, but he does not enjoy communion with God:

31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he hearet (Jhon 9:31).

c. Biblical examples of intimate communion with God

With his love for God and his reverent fear (obedience), Abraham came to develop a communion of friendship with God:

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God (James 2:23).

When God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he felt that he should communicate it to his friend, Abraham:

17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do (Gen. 18:17).

This is the kind of communion that God seeks with his children, friendship. The sin of this world does not reveal the loving heart of the heavenly Father. This prevents us from developing a communion of friendship with Him.

The world has created a false concept of God, that of a severe judge, rather than a loving Father. That concept is created by a mind deviated from the original purpose. It is not what the Bible shows. Jesus himself surprised the Jewish religious by calling God with confidence: Father. As a son naturally and spontaneously calls his father:

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God (John 5: 17-18).

Jesus' trust with the Father was not typical among Jewish religious, and that bothered them. They did not have intimate communion with God, which results in a reverent fear. They had cultivated a fear of God, an aberrant relationship.

Jesus went even further in his degree of intimate communion with the heavenly Father, calling him: Daddy!

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wil (Mark 14:36).

Abba! It was a warm and intimate phrase used by children with their parents in the house. It is the word that a child uses to call a father like, dad or daddy.

The primitive Christians adapted this concept of Jesus in their adoration. They called the Father: Daddy!

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father (Galatians 4: 6). 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15)

The level of intimacy between Jesus and his disciples became friendship. He called them friends:

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you (John 15: 14-15).

In the time of Jesus, the slave of the house did not know the intimacies, nor the business of his master. Jesus opened his heart to his disciples and revealed to them his plans and purposes. That relationship became a friendship.

Sometimes we refer to the servants of God as: "Servants of God." It's not that this is wrong, but the reality is that this title is quite distant from the position that God has given us in Christ. Which is of beloved children through the new birth by the Holy Spirit.

Obviously, the relationship with God develops first, through obedience to his Word. That is why Jesus conditions friendship to obedience: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

CHAPTER 3 – TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I. WORSHIP IS NOT AN ACTION, IT IS A LIFESTYLE IN THE CHRISTIAN

a. Living temples of the Holy Spirit

The adoration to God includes everything that the human being does for love of God. It represents all the gratitude of the being and so that it is pleasing to God, it must come from a heart consecrated to God. It is not enough to worship, it requires holiness; without which no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14).

Christian worships God in everything he does, worship is a lifestyle. As living temples of the Holy Spirit, the Christian's body is in continuous worship. His body no longer belongs to him, it is the dwelling place of God and the temple of the Holy Spirit:

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6: 19).

Obviously, there is a bitter struggle between good and evil in the life of every Christian, and obedience to God depends on the degree of communion and the quality of worship of each one:

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26: 41).

Being a true worshiper is a daily decision. Jesus said:

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it (Luke 9: 23-24).

Following Christ means giving everything. To surrender all being to God. Without reservations. If the worshiper's heart is not willing to give up everything, to do God's will, there will be no true worship. Obedience is the starting point to a life of true worship.

Singing, offering, fasting, etc., are acts of worship in the worship of God. But the Christian continually worships with his eyes, thoughts, words, actions, his whole being: Spirit, soul and body, lives in constant adoration to God.

The term worship in the biblical context should not be confused with a paused style of music. That is worship music. The worship that God seeks (John 4:23), refers to the surrender of the heart (without conditions) characteristic of a worshiper in spirit and in truth. God owns everything and the only thing we can give him voluntarily is our heart: 26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways (Proverbs 23: 26).

b. The Holy Spirit is jealous of his temple

The communion of the Christian with God is so intimate, that the Holy Spirit is jealous of his body: 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? (James 4: 5).

The Bible says that only coveting with the eyes contaminates the body of the Christian, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5: 28). Jesus said that: "The eye is the light of the body": 34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness (Luke 11: 34).

The Lord warns that if a part of the body is an element that lends itself to sin and prevents entry into heaven, it is better to remove it. It is obvious that Jesus appeals to common sense, not to mutilation. Surely nobody will want to tear off a member of the body. What is expected is that there is a change in attitude: 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell (Matthew 5: 29-30).

The important thing is that Jesus warns of the danger of hell and the great need to live a holy life in spirit, soul and body, because there is a danger of losing salvation. A true worshiper must keep himself pure from this world, so that his adoration may be accepted in the presence of God: 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7: 1).

If anyone cleanses the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is His body, the Lord will dwell in your heart and be a living temple of worship and daily sacrifice to God: 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquit. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:19, 21).

II. THE OFFERINGS AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP

a. God knows the human mind and heart

God knows the human mind and heart, we cannot deceive God, when offering sacrifices to his holy Name. The Bible points out that the human heart is deceptive: 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17: 9). There is the possibility that, in certain actions, even we ourselves do not know the real intentions of our own heart. We must make an analysis of our intentions by praying, serving or worshiping in general. Because only God knows the real intentions of the heart:

10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10).

Even before our human limitation, the Holy Spirit helps the Christian to communicate to the Father, the petitions that are priorities and correct:

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26, 27).

God knows every thought of our mind and every intention of our heart: 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works (Revelation 2:23).

b. The offering of Cain and Abel

The offering of Cain and Abel is a monument to true and false worship. Two brothers appear before God each with the best of their products, but with different intentions. Abel goes with an offering and a clean heart: 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh (Hebrews 11: 4).

Cain goes with an offering in complete competition with his brother, and with a heart full of envy: 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering (Genesis 4: 2-4).

God shows no partiality about persons. Neither was the type of offering what He did not like of Cain; but, the evil of his heart: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell (Genesis 4: 5).

God discovered the reason for his judgment in the heart of Cain, who had become a hypocrite by pretending to deceive God and those around him by presenting one offering, but with a false worship. God gave him the opportunity to repent, pointing out the reason for his judgment, and warning him of the seriousness of his sin: 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him (Genesis 4: 6-7).

But Cain did not repent. Rather than obeying the divine advice, he brought to light the great envy he felt for his brother, and finally killed him: 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him (Genesis 4: 8). John summarizes the evil heart of Cain saying: 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous (1 John 3:12).

c. God judges with fair judgment

Jesus judged the meager offering of a widow as the most abundant; in comparison with the great offerings that others gave, of what was left over: 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living (Mark 12: 41-44).

God does not judge by appearances. He judges with fair judgment. On one occasion, Jesus said, we has not give offerings to be seen from others: 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6: 2-4).

III. THE CONSECRATION OF THE LEVITES

a. Separated for worship

The Bible warns that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). In the OT, that commandment becomes more powerful, since the judgment was immediate on the sinner: 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses (Hebrews 10:28).

In that context of the Law, the people of Israel sinned against God, raising a metal calf and the wrath of God was kindled because of the idol. Moses knew the seriousness of sin and called those who were not in favor of the idol: 26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me (Exodus 32: 26a).

The children of Levi's family responded to the call of Moses, and killed the idolaters : And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. 27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. 28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men (Exodus 32: 26b-28).

The children of Levi obeyed the order of Moses and by this act of zeal to God, they were consecrated as priests before God: 29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day (Exodus 32:29).

b. Chosen for their sanctification; not for their talents

The Levites were the tribe separated by God to worship and serve permanently in the temple, to offer the sacrifices and offerings on the altar:

21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation (Numbers 18:21).

The Levites were to live a life of holiness, warned in the plate that the high priest carried on his forehead:

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. 36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness To The Lord (Exodus 28: 35-36).

The Bible points out that Christians, we are priests of the new covenant: 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous ligh (1 Peter 2: 9).

The Levites who were in charge of the ministration of music lived in the temple, consecrated to this work: 33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night (1 Chronicles 9:33).

This indicates the level of consecration that the singers and musicians should have. For God to receive praise, it must be pure. Musicians who are not Christians should not even touch the sacred instruments with which God is worshiped.

From the life of consecration of the Levites we can learn that, God is not looking for musicians to praise Him. He seeks worshipers who worship him in spirit and truth. It is not the musical or vocal talent that qualifies a person to worship God or the reason for someone be pleasant in his presence. First, you must be consecrated to God, then praise Him. It does not work the other way around.

Praising God must come from a holy heart. Everything that is done for God is holy and those who do it must live a holy life.

If a person does not have a commitment to God and does not show fruits worthy of repentance, he must be separated from the worship of God.

God is not interested in music as such, He has angels who adore him with perfect voices. God longs for committed worshipers who first pour out their hearts before Him, not just praise. God seeks true worship.

IV. WORSHIPERS OF GOD'S OWN HEART

a. David as a worshiper

David was a great worshiper. He did not worship God to be seen by others. His praise was first known in heaven, in intimacy.

When King Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, they looked for someone who could play the harp. David was chosen, while taking care of the sheeps:

18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him. 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep (1 Samuel 16:18-19).

Before being chosen to help Saul, David was already recognized as a faithful worshiper. The testimony that was given of him, not only was that he knew how to play the harp; but that he was: "mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him". Maybe, there were others who played the harp better than David, but he was chosen because the anointing of God was upon him, because of his life of adoration and separation for God.

David did not promote himself to be in the king's palace. God honored him because he was pleased with his worship. David was not a singer or musician by trade, he was a shepherd. But he was a worshiper who had experienced the power and glory of God in his life, as he himself testifies:

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him (1 Samuel 17: 34-35).

David was exalted by God, not because he was a musician, but because he was a worshiper. The Bible shows that David was a human being subject to weaknesses, but he tried to please God in everything.

Even when the king was to be elected, he was not on the list of candidates. It was until all the sons of Jesse marched past that they remembered David, who was taking care of his father's sheeps.

David is also an example for the worshipers. Many ministers when God puts them in a position of privilege, so that they serve and honor him, they lose humility and the anointing is extinguished in their lives, because of materialism and fame.

David maintained his humility. This is noticeable when he was king, while the people praised God, David got off the throne to dance among the people. His wife criticized him, but he continued dancing for Jehovah:

14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 16 And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart (2 Samuel 6: 14-16).

b. A worshiper of God's own heart

David was a worshiper according to the heart of God. He tried to do his will in everything. This is what the prophet Samuel said:

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee (1 Samuel 13:14).

A worshiper according to the heart of God is not known by the music or lyrics of his songs; but for their good fruits, which are the evidence of a true worshiper (Matthew 7: 15-20). When the Bible says that David was a man according to the heart of God, it does not mean that he was perfect:

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will (Acts 13:22).

It means that he knew God's will and knew how to please him. This revelation comes to every worshiper who humbly and willingly wants to obey God, and is obtained through the knowledge of his Word (the Bible) and by the Holy Spirit, which confirms the Word of God and guides the worshiper to all truth:

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

c. Characteristics of David as a worshiper

  * He longed to be in the house of God every day:

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple (Psalm 27: 4).

  * He offered the best of what he had for God and it had to be from his own effort: 24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost (1 Chronicles 21:24).

  * He tried to build a temple for God: 4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in (1 Chronicles 17: 4).

Which Solomon, his son, built (1 Kings 8:13).

  * He organized the music in the temple of Jehovah: 1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service (1 Chronicles 25: 1).

  * He was the creator of praise instruments: 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever (2 Chronicles 7: 6a).

  * He experienced the power of God in his life:

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him (1 Samuel 17: 34-35).

  * He sought justice with his neighbor: 15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people (2 Samuel 8:15).

  * He forgave the life of his enemy: 10 David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish (1 Samuel 26:10).

  * He repented when he failed God: 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest (Psalm 51: 3-4).

  * He was a worshiper according to the heart of God. He tried to do his will:

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee (1 Samuel 13:14).
CHAPTER 4 – THE PRAISE IN GOD'S WORSHIPING

I. THERE IS VICTORY IN PRAISE

a. The Bible invites us to praise the Creator

In the Bible, it is constantly heard the voice of the prophets inspired by the Spirit, inviting the worship of God: 1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing (Psalm 100: 1-2).

The Bible encourages the righteous to rejoice in God, even in the momentary trials of life, for the reward is great in heaven: 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5: 11-12).

God also encourages the upright in heart to sing with joy: 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart (Psalm 32:11).

It should be noted that this is true joy for the righteous. God likes the worship and praise of those who walk in communion with Him. It is not any praise that pleases God; if not, that which comes from pure hearts and holy. Commonly, worship is judged by appearances, and praise for the voice of the singing, not for the saintly life of the worshiper.

b. Celebrating victories with praise

In the Bible, praise is used to celebrate the victories of the people of God:

20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea (Exodus 15: 20-21).

It is also used as a weapon of spiritual warfare, to fight battles. In certain cases, God commanded Israel to only sing to him, instead of fighting:

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten (2 Chronicles 20:17, 19, 21-22).

There are moments in the life of a Christian that is not for praying, but to praise God for victory. The same Spirit guides this praise.

c. Power and the anointing in praise

Worshipers who have reached a high level of intimacy with God can worship Him, even in difficult circumstances. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned for the sake of Christ, they sang hymns to God in prison:

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed (Acts 16: 25-26).

The praise of these two men of faith was heard on the heavenly throne and so pleased God that he ordered the doors of the prison to be opened. The power of God is unleashed in the praise of his children. Sometimes, it will be enough to praise God, so that the doors open in favor of the Christian.

In the case of the city of Jericho, God ordered the priests to blow trumpets and that in the end, the people would give a war cry so that the walls of the city would collapse: 4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of ram's horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him (Joshua 6: 4-5).

This was an order given by God. It is not about screaming rampant in the church. Everything has its place. We can exalt God and enjoy ourselves during the time of praise, taking care not to interrupt the time of preaching or other programs.

The prophets and priests of the Old Testamenet, were inspired by music to exalt God and prophesy:

1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals (1 Chronicles 25: 1).

The anointing of God descended on the Levites, when they praised God and prophesied.

On one occasion the prophet Elisha called for a minstrel (someone who played stringed instrument) to be inspired by the Spirit and prophesying: 15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him (2 Kings 3:15).

It is obvious that the music was not for Elisha but was an environment of praise created for God to manifest. The Holy Spirit led the prophet to ask for the music and God soon manifested.

d. God's glory in praise

The glory of God descends, when the worshipers gathered in the cult have prepared their hearts and the environment to receive the divine presence. The Bible points out that we put glory in our praise:

1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious (Psalm 66: 1-2).

The glory of God does not belong to us, but the text suggests that we put glory in our praise. That glory descends, when our adoration pleases the divine heart. If we give him a genuine worship, God (in spirit and truth) will give glory to our praise. God will pour it because of our sanctification. The glory of God does not descend in the gathering of saints because of music alone.

In contemporary worship, if there is no music, we do not praise God. This is a mistake. Obviously, that music causes joy; but, the true worshiper praises God with or without music.

Music does not make worshipers in spirit and in truth. On the contrary, the true worshiper only adds music to his daily worship. Praise is an act of worship. But worship is a lifestyle. In Solomon's worship experience in the temple, the glory of God descended upon that place. God does not dwell in a house made by the hands of men:

48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? (Acts 7: 48-50).

But God does not skimp on shedding his glory upon those who call upon Him with a pure heart. That is to say: Worshipers in Spirit and in Truth.

In the experience of Solomon's worship, when he dedicated the temple to Jehovah, the glory descended in that place, because of the sanctification of the people. First, Solomon had made sure that the priests who ministered in the temple were sanctified:

11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course (2 Chronicles 5:11).

It is not enough to be priests and ministers of God. You have to live a life in holiness. Sometimes musicians and singers forget that before being ministers of music, they must be genuine and holy worshipers before God.

This praise that Solomon sacrificed was appropriate to what God had commanded. The Levites, apart from being sanctified, were dressed in their priestly vestments, appropriate to minister to a holy God:

12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets. 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 5: 12-13).

The priests caused the glory of God to descend in the temple, because of their sanctification. That is to put glory in our praise. In order to please God, praise does not go first. It is the quality of the worshipers that brings down the glory of God, not the music.

In this experience of Solomon's worship, the glory came down because the worshipers were sanctified; but, after the glory of God came down, the ministers of praise could not minister. Was not necessary to. The glory of God had descended to a sweet smell that praise had produced in the presence of God:

14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God (2 Chronicles 5: 14).

The glory of God does not descend by praise alone, it must be accompanied by a holy life.

There are praises that are precious and singers that sing like angels; but his adoration is empty and hollow. It does not cause the glory of God to fill the people, for there is no life of sanctification, no surrender to worship in spirit and in truth.

This pure adoration does not refer to an attitude; they are not even tears on the altar. It is a holy life, inside and outside the altar.

The singer who is a true worshiper, only adds music to his lifestyle. He worships God in everything he does, in his daily life.

The singer should not expect God to manifest his presence only through music. For God to pour out his glory in praise, worship must be practiced, as is a way of life. That implies to adore God with all the being daily, through each action and word.

II. MUSIC AS AN INSTRUMENT OF WORSHIP

a. The battle for true worship

Music is a powerful instrument in the worship of God. However, it must come from the pure heart of the worshipers in spirit and truth. The music was created to exalt God.

A generalized concept about Christian music indicates that it is that created by a Christian to exalt God. However, Satan is the father of all lies and he knows the power of music. The Bible points out that the day he was created by God, as a perfect being, was received with music:

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 (Ezekiel 28: 13-15).

Satan knows music and knows the power in it to communicate wrong messages to humanity. Satan knows how to distort it from its true purpose.

He will take advantage even of the naivety of the children of God to deceive them, in order to distort the purpose of giving him a true adoration to God.

One of them is making the singers believe that, because they have a musical talent or a beautiful voice, they are already pleasing to God. Others deviate their hearts from the truth, believing that they must live luxurious lives or fame becomes a bond of competition, arrogance and materialism.

b. The instruments of praise

The main instrument of praise is the body of the Christian. Our hands and voices are used to praise and worship God. Although we adore with our whole body. God gave wisdom to the human being to create instruments to praise his holy name:

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (Psalm 150: 1-6).

The important thing is not the type of instrument itself; if not the worshiper. Obviously, when a worshiper is led by the Holy Spirit, He will guide him to produce music that is pleasing to God.

Sometimes the rhythms that prevail in the secular world are not entirely adequate to praise God. For an example, rock music was created to praise Satan. It is strident, to break the ears; it is aggressive, to create violence. All that style of music bears the stamp of destruction, violence, drugs, Satanism, etc.

For those who know that musical genre, they know what it is about. Why should a Christian imitate a music that was created to exalt evil and Satan? It is not sensible to imitate it.

c. The type of praise

The Bible states that the worshiper must be innovative in his letters, to worship God. The singer and musician must be passionate, not with music, but with God. A lover, without a doubt, wants to write and express his love to his girlfriend. Thus, the worshiper must have a passion to praise God, in gratitude.

God is a king. Nobody would appear before a king with something boring or monotonous. Likewise, when we praise God, we must bring new offerings of praise:

2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise (Psalm 33: 1-3).

For that you have to have dedication. Sometimes the worshipers in the church have no commitment to God. Others play instruments or sing in the church and then leave or disconnect from the service. They do not get involved in worship and in the preaching of the Word.

The musician must learn to cultivate first his life of adoration and then his musical talent. This must be to give a better offering to God, not to cultivate the ego. God wants us to adore him with intelligence, the worshiper must be creative in his music:

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding (Psalm 47: 6-7).

You should look for topics that are directed to the exaltation of God. The worship of the church is exclusive to glorify God. This praise must come from whole hearts:

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright (Psalm 33: 1).

The integrity of the worshiper is more important than his praise. So, the first verse says: In the upright praise is beautiful. Praise by itself does not make worshipers in spirit and in truth, it requires: Integrity, obedience, faithfulness, selfless service, humility, etc.

CHAPTER 5 – GOD SEEKS TRUE WORSHIPERS

I. JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

a. The temple of the Holy Spirit

In Jesus' time, the worship of God was remitted to officiate in the temple of Jerusalem. But, the Samaritans claimed that the place of worship should be in Samaria, on Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11:29, 27:12), where the patriarchs of Israel had worshiped:

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship (John 4:20).

Jesus taught that, in the new covenant, the Holy Spirit makes room in the body of the Christian :

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19).

In his conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus defines New Testament worship. Israel was an exclusivist nation in terms of religion and worship in the temple. Jesus taught that, in the new covenant, neither in Jerusalem nor in Samaria would it be God's chosen place for worship:

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father (John 4:21).

Where there are two or three people gathered together in the name of Jesus, there He will be in their midst:

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).

In the New Covenant, the communion of the Holy Spirit with the Christian is cultivated in a relationship of living and intimate communion, in the heart:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33).

Contrary to the Law, which was written in tablets, in the new covenant the Holy Spirit records and remembers the word of God in the heart of the Christian:

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).

The presence of God moves from the temple of Jerusalem, to the heart of the universal Christian, who becomes a living temple of the Holy Spirit.

b. Worshipers in spirit and in truth

The Bible points out that God seeks those who give him true worship: In spirit and in truth:

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him (John 4:23).

As a loving Father, God longs for an intimate relationship and true worship from his children. God seeks worshipers in spirit and in truth:

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Worship in spirit and in truth arises from the heart of a genuine worshiper, who has been born again through the spirit, and who adores in response to the great divine love (We love Him because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19).

A true worshiper does not worship by habit, competition, fame, vainglory, money or other petty interest. He worships God unconditionally, as Job did: In good times and in bad. That is what a worshiper in spirit and truth refers to, who he adores no matter what the circumstances.

When God says he is looking for worshipers in spirit and in truth, he does not mean musicians or singers. Perhaps there are worshipers in the Bible, and in Christian history, who emptied their hearts in service to God and were worshipers in spirit and in truth, but who never played a musical instrument. Music is an element of worship. It is not the first thing in the order of true worship of God. It is just a means of worship.

A worshiper in spirit and in truth is more related to the heart of the righteous, who enjoys intimate communion with God because of his separation from sin and consecration to God. Far from the contamination of flesh and spirit:

1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

The contamination of the flesh implies those sins related to the appetites of the flesh (Colossians 2:23) or physical body that, as a temple of the spirit, can be contaminated.

The contamination of the spirit refers to the soul. This can be contaminated with ideas contrary to God and erroneous or heretical concepts of the Bible.

In the case of the prophet Elijah, his servant (Elisha) asked for a double portion of his spirit and it was granted to him by God, because of his faithfulness to God (2 Kings 2: 9). However, Gehazi (servant of Elisha) was hit with Naaman's leprosy because of the greed with which he contaminated his soul (2 Kings 5:27).

II. THE JOY OF THE LORD

a. Joy in the life of the worshiper

On Earth our joy is sometimes interrupted by the evil that exists in the world, but God has promised that in his kingdom we will enjoy a full joy that will never be taken away from us again:

11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away (Isaiah 51:11).

This eternal joy is in reward for all that we suffer on Earth, for the sake of His name. Eternal joy is one of the wonderful promises of our Lord Jesus to his faithful servants:

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy LORD (Matthew 25:21).

Joy in heaven will be perpetual and of continuous happiness. We will be surprised of all the things that our Father has created for our delight:

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Every yearning and good wish that we have in our hearts, even those that we have not been able to fulfill on Earth, will be granted by our Father. He knows our wishes:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

God's will is that through a good relationship with him, fidelity and obedience to his Word and his Spirit, we keep the joy in our hearts, despite the difficult circumstances we experience on this earth:

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11).

Paul praises Christians to keep the joy of the Lord in their hearts: 16 Rejoice evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Paul knew what it was to praise God in the midst of trial, when he was on Earth.

We must try to keep the joy, because Satan will try to steal it to make us sad, because he only knows how to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

b. The restoration of the joy in the children of God

The human being lost joy because of sin. Joy is the product of a good relationship with God. The Father, in his love, is responsible for restoring the joy lost for sin, in those who accept Jesus as their Savior.

Joy in the Christian's life is the product of divine blessing, it is a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in the Christian (Galatians 5:22). The psalmist rejoiced when God answered his prayers. This caused him a joy that culminated in songs of praise:

6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him (Psalm 28:6-7).

Because of sin, David lost the joy of his salvation and humbled to be returned to him:

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit (Psalm 51:8-12).

Sin and disobedience extinguish joy in the Christian. But before asking for joy, David first asks for a clean heart and a righteous spirit.

David was a genuine worshiper. God said that it was according to his heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He knew that he could not enjoy the joy of the Lord, if his life was not aligned with the will of God.

c. The joy of the Lord is our strength

When the Bible refers to the joy of the Lord as our strength; it does not allude to our joy; but, to the joy that God feels through our worship: 10 for the joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10b).

God is a person. He also enjoys himself through the service and worship of his children.

The human being was created for the delight of God and He rejoices in his creation. The worshiper can produce a unique joy in God, through his praise and worship in spirit and in truth, and faithful service.

The joy of God is our strength. We are strong when we cause joy to God. It is important to worship God with understanding and fidelity, so that He may enjoy himself. Make God delight in your worship and you will be strengthened. You will be as strong spiritually as your genuine worship to God is intense.

This joy that occurs in the heart of God is because we adore him, without having seen him, by faith. Celestial beings worship God, but they know Him. We have the privilege of causing that particular joy to God, of which neither the angels participate, because they do not know the gratitude that the experience of the redemption of sin produces:

1 Which things the angels desire to look into (1 Peter 1:12).

d. God dwells in the praise of his people

God rejoices with his people, in the midst of praise:

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3).

The praise of a pure heart is pleasing to God. It is the only thing that the Christian can give to God, of himself. In Psalm 30, David expresses the liberation that God gave to his life, rescuing him from death.

His tribulation was transformed into rejoicing:

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness (Psalm 30:11).

David does not refer to worldly or carnal dancing; but the liberation that his soul felt, after the tribulation. This dance can refer to a state of joy and not a literal party.

The Bible shows that David was a great worshiper, and sometimes he danced in jubilation in the presence of the Lord, prompted by the Holy Spirit (2 Psalm 6:14).

David danced as a result of a life of integral adoration, which involved his whole being. It was not a dance triggered by a purely emotional impulse. In other words, David points out that God changed his sadness, in joy.

III. SACRIFICES OF PRAISE

a. The offerings of praise

In the Bible there are different types of offerings that were offered under the Law: Some were voluntary; others, like the sacrifices of animals were burned and the smell rose before God, as something pleasing in his presence:

18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the Lord: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the Lord (Exodus 29:18).

The sacrifices of praise make remembrance to the sacrifices of the Old Testament. The holy praise of the people rises as a pleasant odor in the presence of God. These notes are perfected when they arrive at His presence. But it is necessary that they come out of pure hearts.

Praise is the only thing we can offer to God, of ourselves. Nothing else! Because praise is voluntary, no one compels us to worship God, He made his creatures with free will and although we are Christians, does not force us to praise His name. However, it is one of the most important things in the Christian's life, because it touches the heart of God. God made all things visible and invisible and does not need anything material:

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? (Psalm 50:12-13).

But God longs sacrifices of praise from his true worshipers:

14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me (Psalm 50:14-15).

The human being was made in divine likeness, is spiritual. God took from his spirit and deposited it in the human being, making him similar to Him:

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).

Giving him back a true adoration, accompanied by praises, is the most sublime thing that God receives on his throne from his children. This is more surprising than the adoration of the angels themselves, because they are right to worship him, for they see the face of God:

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:10).

The wonderful thing is that God wanted human beings to adore him, even without seeing him; through faith. That for God has a lot of value. David pointed out that everything he gave to God as an offering, he had received from his hand; in such a way that the praise of his lips was his personal sacrifice:

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee (1 Chronicles 29:13-14).

All the offerings demanded by God in the Bible, and the volunteers that we give as part of our worship of God (tithes, offerings, firstfruits, etc.), are essential in the life of a faithful worshiper; but we give them because we have previously received something from their hand. Praise, on the other hand, is given as a sacrifice of voluntary offering to our God, since no one demands of us.

A child can kiss and hug his father after receiving a gift, in gratitude. There is nothing wrong with that. But I think a father would feel very good, if his son hugs him, kisses him or tells him that he loves him, without having received anything. Only for love.

Likewise, God will feel very happy when his children praise him, only in gratitude to His holy name and in response to his great love.

b. Singing to God in our hearts

Christian music is a divine language to communicate our gratitude to God and to sing of his great wonders:

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

The Christian should have constant praise in his heart, in gratitude to God for salvation, favors, mercies, and undeserved love:

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

The Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of the Christian and that produces an overflowing joy. When talking about enthroning God, sometimes you think about placing God on your throne. That is a wrong concept. God dwells on his throne, no one enthroned him.

The only place where we should enthrone God is in our heart. God wants the complete government of our heart and that is only achieved through a daily life of true adoration. It is not achieved only with words, songs or corporal actions.

c. Praising God with the mind and thoughts

The mind is a constant battlefield between good and evil. That is where the attacks and darts of the enemy are directed. In the mind battles are fought between the truth of God and the lies that Satan has spread over humanity. To counteract evil, the mind must discipline itself by thinking of everything that is praise to God:

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

Jesus emphasized loving God with our mind:

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:37).

Our mind also adores. This should glorify God with good thoughts. Someone said that our thoughts are words in heaven and our words are screams.

d. Praising God with our mouth

One of the most exalted forms of worship to God is through the words we confess. The Christian worships since he wakes up and says: Thank you God for a new day! But you can also deny unconsciously when you say: What an ugly day!

It is so delicate what we say, that Jesus pointed out that what comes out of the mouth contaminates the human being:

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man (Matthew 15:18).

The Christian constantly worships with his lips to God. It's not about singing. He is worshiped as we confess his Word, when the gospel is preached:

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).

All of our words can glorify God, but they can also offend Him. It depends on the use. The tongue is a double-edged sword.

One of the primary spiritual exercises that Christians should practice as a true worshiper, is the mastery of his tongue. James warns about the use of the language and its consequences:

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh (James 13:2-12).

The Bible says that even the fool is wise when he keeps silent:

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding (Proverbs 17:27-28).

There is a proverb that rightly states: "Words are silver and silence is golden". With our words we can bring joy to the Father's heart; but, they can also ignite his anger.

e. What comes out of the mouth contaminates the human being

Moses was provoked by the people of Israel to speak hastily and in anger. For that reason, God did not allow him to enter the promised land:

32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips (Psalm 106: 32-33). See, Numbers 20: 7-12.

There is a constant danger every time we open our lips and we must be careful when speaking. Our words are before God:

2 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. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? (Ecclesiastes 5:2-6).

Promises hurried, foolish words against God and offensive against others, provoke divine wrath. God takes personally the offense against his children. When Mary and Aaron spoke against Moses, God was angry with them:

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lordshall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed (Numbers 12:8-9).

In one of the most controversial cases in the Bible, Jephthah promised hastily that, if Jehovah gave him victory in a battle, he would sacrifice the first to receive him on his return:

30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering (Judges 11:30-31).

The person who received Jephthah was his only daughter, and he had to fulfill his promise (Judges 11:35).

Ananias and Sapphira, promised to sell a property and give all the money in offering to God, as the brothers of the early Church used to do (Acts 4:34-35):

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet (Acts 5:1-2).

The property was theirs and they made a promise before God to give everything, but they took some of the money and that counted as sin. Then they lied to God when they were questioned by Peter and did not tell him the truth. They died as a divine judgment (verse 5). The Bible declares that we will account for every word of our mouth and that by our words we will be justified or condemned:

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37).
CHAPTER 6 – THE FALSE ADORATION

I. STRANGE FIRE IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD

a. The danger of falling into false worship

In the Bible there are cases of people who tried to please God with a strange cult and were consumed by the fire of God.

Aaron's sons, being Levitical priests, presented holy offerings that they had not been authorized to minister, but to the high priest. This was counted to them as sin, because good intentions are not enough in our worship; God must be given an adoration in spirit and in truth in order to be accepted in his presence:

1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lordspake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp (Leviticus 10:1-4).

Sometimes we believe that just for worshiping God, we are pleasing him. Without considering the will of God and the quality of worship. God is holy and worship that give their children must be holy.

King Saul was also rejected by God from his office for offering holy sacrifices, which were not permitted to him, but to the priests of God:

9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. 11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever (1 Samuel 13:9-13).

Even Miriam, the sister of Moses, who was a prophet and an anointed worshiper of God: 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances (Exodus 15:20), fell into the deception of Satan, by allowing pride to get into her heart. Miriam entered into open competition with her brother Moses, who had been called by God and there was no competition in his heart.

Because of the gifts and anointing that God had given her in praise, Miriam became vain and began to point out defects in Moses. That is a constant danger in the life of every worshiper, Satan will try that they grow vain for the gifts and ministries that God gave them. Miriam, after being anointed by the power of God, was filled with leprosy because of her sin:

10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous – it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, (Numbers 12:10).

Sometimes this leprosy is not external; but internal, when envy is guarded by the gifts and ministries of others. Miriam and her brother Aaron, saw Moses as their brother, not as anointed minister of God:

1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lordheard it (Numbers 12:1-3).

b. The apostasy in Christian music

There is a tendency to believe that Christian music is for Christians to enjoy themselves only, and not for the delight of God.

There is music of Christian songs that its rhythm is pleasant to the ear and impels to move the body; but, its letter is not directed to exalt God; but to how we feel. Christian music should always exalt God; even when we do not like it.

Our ears have become accustomed to hearing only the music that satisfies us, but we do not discern whether it honors and pleases God, first.

Some Christian songs no longer mention the name of Jesus. That is a strategy of big record companies to which certain Christian singers belong. The purpose is that his music has secular acceptance. In between are the monetary contracts to which the singers are linked. But, a true worshiper would never take Jesus out of his songs, nor for all the money in the world.

Another trend is Christian music that is only aimed at love between couples. Many of them have nice messages, but some singers have diverted their goal of worshiping God, to dedicate themselves to this type of music. Abuse in this style is due to the same, its acceptance in non-Christian media. But, in most cases the people of the world dance that music and do not convert to God.

There is a tendency to secularize Christian music, in such a way that the goal of true adoration is lost, which is solely and exclusively to exalt the name of God.

c. Satan's deception in false worship

The true worshiper should not lose the purpose of their worship, which is to exalt God. Due to talent and public exposure, there is a permanent risk among Christian singers and musicians, of falling for the deception of fame, competition and material ambition.

Only those who are well founded in their faith and whose hearts conform to the heart of God will be able to withstand the pressure they will feel to compete with all the fashions that have been imposed on the atmosphere of Christian music.

Satan will always seek to divert the true worship of its original purpose (to worship God) by something that looks like or is not.

Satan will try to deflect true worship with seemingly legitimate offers; but they will have the objective of keeping the worshiper away from his communion with God. The secularization of Christian music is already normal for many music ministers. Some people use even the word of God to justify their mixture with the world, pointing out that a light should not be hidden:

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

The Lord did not speak of mixing with the world in this verse. On the contrary, it means keeping oneself pure from this world to shine as living torches through the light of Christ, lit with a good testimony.

Some have believed the lie of Satan, that mixing with the profane is nothing wrong, ignoring the zeal of God for his children.

The result is that the darkness has extinguished the light that one day illuminated them. The Bible warns of the danger of making friends with the world:

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? (James 4:4-5).
CHAPTER 7 – THE CELESTIAL WORSHIP

I. ETERNAL WORSHIP

a. The restoration of worship

One of the most important reasons why Jesus taught to pray to all his disciples, was for God's will to be done on Earth, just as it is done in heaven, in order that the relationship and communion between God and the human being be restored in its totality:

2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come (Luke 11:2).

Worship is part of that restoration. In heaven, worship is done in a perfect way. God wants that from now on we learn to worship him, because it is something that we will be doing for eternity. Nothing we learn here will be wasted in eternity. On the contrary, it will be greatly increased, according to the interest we show on Earth. God likes the good stewardship of our time and the multiplication of every gift that, by grace, he has deposited in our lives for his glory (John 15:8).

In heaven we will worship God for eternity and without the typical weariness of the flesh, which is opposed to the spiritual (Matthew 26:41).

The worship of God has its fruit and as a divine reward, it produces joy in the worshiper. The Bible points out that the joy of the Christian is like a river whose final destiny is eternity:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).

b. Worship in Heaven

In heaven God is eternally worshiped. This is what the worship song of the Levites expresses:

5 Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee (Nehemiah 9:5b-6).

The Bible says that in heaven there are four living creatures created by God that worship him permanently (Seraphim, Isaiah 6:1-3). These are before his presence, before his throne and because of the glory of God, they cover their faces and their feet with their wings. These Seraphim do not cease to give glory to the triune God, saying three times: Holy, Holy, Holy! (Revelation 4):

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8).

After these four living creatures worship God, the twenty-four elders also worship. These are sitting on twelve thrones in front of the throne of the Lord, possibly were men of great faith who overcame on Earth.

The curious thing about the adoration of the twenty-four elders is that they do not have swords or other weapons in their hands; but harps. Before God the only thing that the worshiper needs is a pure heart, ready to adore him. A musical instrument only adds melody to worship and makes it more pleasing to God:

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:9-11).

It is wonderful to hear how these celestial beings have not some doubt of the justice and lordship of God. This praise is perfect. One day we will worship in heaven, without fears or doubts.

c. Creation pays worship

Creation worships God, even without words. Every day the glory of God unfolds in the universe. In the evening, the sunset is wonderful. At nightfall, the stars declare their glory:

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7).

At dawn, the dew of the morning and the singing of the birds praise Him. There is wisdom and glory in a worm that later becomes a beautiful butterfly. In the ant farm, working to store its food for the winter. Who taught animals so much wisdom? God.

All of creation speaks of the Creator, but only those who have their spiritual eyes open, will understand that the Earth is full of the glory of God, as confessed by the Seraphim who worship God before his throne:

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lordsitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:1-3).

Even the mountains and trees worship God:

12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12).

The Bible points out that, if men stop praising His holy Name, the stones would declare it:

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out (Luke 19:37-40).

d. The lordship of the heart

All acts of worship of the children of God are meant to give God first place in their hearts. Singing, praying, offering, tithing, serving and all the worship that we continually offer to God in our life of adoration, have the purpose of giving the lordship of our life to God.

When the Bible says: Your kingdom come! It does not refer initially only to our comfort in a restored Earth; but to the government of God over all his creation.

The restoration of all things on Earth will occur when Jesus returns to reign; but first it is necessary that he take the government and have the lordship in the heart of all humanity.

There is no genuine worship, if God does not have the first place in the heart of the worshiper. We give thanks to God in the morning for a new day, to put him first. We give thanks to God in the night, for a day that he gave us, to render him all honor for the favor received. We tithe everything we receive from his hand, to give Him the first place in our economy. When we fast, we refuse to do what is natural, eat, to give God the first place.

Every act of worship of the Christian life is directed to give the lordship of his heart to God. The worshiper seeks to give the Creator the first place in every area of his life.

Worship is not directed to our delight, but to the delight of God. He, as it is rich in mercy and power, rewards our genuine worship with every blessing of heaven. The Bible states that his delight is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10b).
CHAPTER 8

THE BODY AS A LIVING AND HOLY SACRIFICE

I. FASTING AND PRAYER AS WORSHIP

a. The body as a living temple of worship

The apostle Paul calls to present our bodies as a living sacrifice temple in constant worship of God:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

In the Old Testament worship, the fire of the sacrifices presented before God in the temple constantly burned. The smoke rose like a sweet smell before God and represented the gratitude and kindness of the worshiper for divine mercies.

Paul points out that the Christian as the living temple of the Holy Spirit must present his body as the place of worship of the New Testament. Living a holy life in body, soul and spirit.

b. Fasting and prayer as acts of worship

Even as children of God, our measure of worship to God is voluntary. God does not force anyone to worship Him. However, the Lord taught that when he ascended to heaven his disciples should fast:

18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those day (Mark 2:18-20).

Jesus was a great example of consecration. Before beginning his ministry, he fasted for forty days:

12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him (Mark 1:12-13).

We cannot use the excuse that Jesus is God and that he had the ability to fast a lot. He taught that we can perfect our life at the level of resembling Him, when He was on Earth:

40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master (Luke 6:40).

Moses, as a prototype of Christ in the Old Testament, also fasted for forty days, when he was on Mount Sinai with God: 28 And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments (Exodus 34:28).

The disciples of the early church fasted and prayed to be led and do God's will in their ministries:

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:2-3).

Fasting and prayer are part of the worship that the Christian offers to God in his body as a temple of the Spirit. The purpose of fasting is not to destroy the body; but, separate time to intimate with God.

ANNEX - I -

I. WORSHIP IN THE TEMPLE

  * The order in the house of God

The church of Christ is guided by the Holy Spirit on Earth (John 16:13; Romans 8:14). That means that the program in the temple service is directed by the Holy Spirit, but that will depend on those who minister.

God is ordained, therefore, there must be order in the temple worship. The apostle Paul condemns the disorder in the meeting of the Church and urges that things be done in order: 40 Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14: 40).

In this chapter 14, Paul addresses the issue of the order of worship in the Church. The Corinthians had been filled with the Holy Spirit, and the gifts were manifested in their meetings, but they met only to speak in tongues and there was no intelligible message. Paul does not oppose the manifestation of spiritual gifts in the Church and even affirms to the Corinthians that he speaks more languages than all of them, but he orders that in the gathering of the saints there must be order and a comprehensible message (1 Corinthians 14: 18-19), and warns that what he writes are Lord's commandments (v. 37).

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit produces manifestations of power among Christians who receive the divine promise (Acts 2: 38-39). This could result in a church losing control of its meetings with the excuse that the Holy Spirit wants something else. That would be a mistake that should be avoided.

When a congregation or person is filled with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are manifested, if they do not know how to manage and do not have the necessary knowledge, those same gifts can unleash chaos.

The Church must be guided by the Holy Spirit, but it must be administered within an order. Some Christians believe that if worship is ordained in the Church, the Holy Spirit will no longer manifest.

The dilemma is that there are churches that have an order led by the carnal mind of their leaders, because they do not allow the Holy Spirit to guide them, because they also do not know it.

Paul points out that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8: 8). But that does not deny also that there must be an order in the meeting of the Church. On the contrary, a church, truly guided by the Spirit, is led to order. If not, something should not be right. As simple as that. Paul points out that if an unbeliever enters the temple and there is no understandable message, unbelievers will think that Christians are insane and rightly so (1 Corinthians 14:23). It must not be forgotten that the final purpose of the Holy Spirit in the Church is to lead sinners to Christ (John 16: 7-8).

II. LITURGY ORDER IN THE TEMPLE

  * The house of prayer

The liturgy of Christian worship should be centered on the worship of God alone, from beginning to end. Since anyone reaches the temple, the Christian must separate that time for God. The Bible points out that Jesus was filled with zeal to see that the house of God had become a market:

15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-17).

The temple must be used to worship; not for trade, meals or conversations.

  * The purpose of meeting in the temple

Meeting in the temple is first a divine mandate (Hebrews 10:25), but it has the purpose of giving God a congregational worship, as a single body.

It is God's delight to see his people worshiping him as one body, just as we will worship him in heaven for eternity. God sends blessing and manifest eternal life when his people meet:

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lordcommanded the blessing, even life for evermore (Psalm 133:1-3).

That is a reward for our worship, but the purpose of meeting as people is to give God a magnified worship.

Our mentality of going to the temple should not be just to receive blessing, as we meanly think, but to attribute praise and adoration to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Traditionally, Christians believe that we go to the temple only to receive something from God, and yes, He is good and pours blessing into our lives. But the reason for going to the temple must be the opposite, we should move more thanks to God than the simple fact of receiving something from his hand.

When the Church changes its way of thinking in this line that it has followed for centuries, the worship of God will cause more joy to Christians and more delight to God.
  * The worshiper longs to be in the temple

There is a burning desire in the heart of the worshiper for being in the temple, in order to worship God and learn from his Word: 4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple (Psalm 27:4).

  * The joy of being in the house of God

Only the fact of knowing that we go to the temple to worship God must be a cause of joy in the heart of every true worshiper: 1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1).

  * The attitude when arriving at the temple

The worshiper must come with joy and words of exaltation to God in the temple: 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name (Psalm 100: 4).

The temple is for worshiping God. Not just to socialize or make friends. That should be left at the end of the worship meeting.

  * The presence of God in the midst of his people

Jesus said: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).

God dwells in the praises of his people: 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the do (Psalm 22:20).

  * The joy of worshiping together with the brothers

The Lord pours blessing when his people gather in worship: 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3  for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore (Psalm 133: 1-3b).

  * The exhortation and the duty to congregate

There are Christians who for diferent reasons do not like to congregate. These fall into conformity. The Bible teaches that it is the Christian's duty to congregate: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

Whoever does not gather is in disobedience and sins. Sin, it is simply disobeying the Word of God: 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).

ANNEX - II -

I. CONSIDERATIONS OF THE WORSHIP IN THE TEMPLE

  * The church must create a pleasant atmosphere of worship

The Bible says that we should praise God with intelligence: 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the Earth: sing ye praises with understanding (Psalm 47:6-7).

A worshiper must be ordained in his praise and worship.

  * The attitude in the house of God

  1. Teach the congregation that we are not going to the temple to receive, but to give glory to the eternal king. He will know how to reward you by supplying all your requests and needs.

  2. Do not try to see who goes or does not go to the temple. Simply, worship God.

  3. Do not worry or be distracted if others do not worship. Try you to worship.

  4. Teach the congregation to devote that time of worshiping God without distractions that divert them from purpose or conversations inside the temple. If someone wants to talk to you, tell them you will speak at the exit of the temple.

  5. Teach them to worship God with all their mind and heart. That implies that there is no other thought than God.

  6. See you before the throne of God and think what quality of worship you are giving to God.

  * The order of the liturgy, in the service

  1. Start the meeting with a prayer presenting all the worshipers before God, so that God may receive the worship with pleasure. Ask God for forgiveness for the voluntary and involuntary sins of the people.

  2. After praying, go immediately to the next participation (Bible reading, etc.).

  3. Avoid counting entry testimonials. Leave them for after praise. Try to make way for the ministration of music first.

  4. Try that musicians or singers enter with songs of worship. This causes people to clear their minds, while preparing for praises or choruses.

  5. Avoid the pulpit being a place to tell jokes, celebrate birthdays, etc. The temple is exclusively for worshiping God.

  * The type of music

  1. Look for songs that are directed to the worship of God. Not to "how we feel" or to mention more to the devil than to God. If you praise God, the devil will undoubtedly flee from your side.

There are songs that speak more of our mood than of God: "Tired come to you, I can no more". This type of song has its place, but they do not exalt God in the congregation.

The purpose of gathering together in the temple is to exalt the greatness of God, not to tell God how we feel. He already knows our condition, but it is better to express it in prayer.

The lyrics of the music sung in the congregation should be directed to the exaltation of the Holy name of God. The diligent musicians will spend time selecting and practicing this type of music to give an intelligent praise and of quality to God, within the resources that are at hand.

In the temple, we are before a great King in adoration and we must be selective of the rhythms we choose to worship God. Not because the musical rhythms are bad in themselves, but because we should worship God, without imitating the musical rhythms of the world, which were created to satisfy the appetites of the flesh and others were created openly, for the worship of Satan and are used in certain satanic cults.

Sometimes, the service deviates so much from God that people begin to devote themselves, not God. The worship is not to satisfy our flesh. The worship should please God, not the congregation.

When worship pleases God, a spontaneous spiritual dance may even manifest itself in the congregation, but it is not a dance learned in a dance course.

Ask God to give you wisdom so that the worship does not get out of its sublime and sole purpose, which is the exalt God.

ANNEX - III -

I. THE BODY AS TEMPLE OF THE SPIRIT

  * The temple of the Holy Spirit

The true worship begins from the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is the body of the Christian. This living adoration is given continuously, through the voluntary obedience of the worshiper to God, which among many things includes:

  * Obedience.

Nobody can please God; if it is not through obedience to his Word:

22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).

This verse does not mean that God does not like sacrifices of adoration, what he does not like, are sacrifices without obedience.

  * Faith

The Bible points out that without faith it is impossible to please God:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

If what is supposed to be done for God, is not done with faith, it becomes sin:

For whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23b).

  * Love

Whoever does not love does not know God, although he says with his lips that he loves him:

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8).

This includes forgiving, which is a divine mandate, to which our forgiveness is conditioned:

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15).

  * Service

The Bible points out that the children of God must serve one another, with love.

13 but by love serve one another (Galatians 5:13b).

There are no chiefs in God. Only a sovereign king, Jesus Christ. He said that whoever wants to be greatest, should serve others:

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9:35).

  * Humility

The worshiper must be humble to recognize that every gift, talent or possession has been received from God:

7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Jesus told his disciples that they should be humble of heart:

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:29).

Worship is not about music; but a life of daily surrender and a permanent adoration in our complete being.

  * Fidelity

This is a very important part in the life of every true worshiper. There are very talented people in Christianity who serve in ministries sing to God with wonderful voices, but they are not faithful worshipers. Jesus said that whoever is not faithful to the things of this Earth will not be faithful in the eternal:

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:10-12).

Some take the glory that belongs to God, others are unfaithful to their tithes and yet they are serving in the church, believing that they are pleasing God. The rule for judging what is written in the Word of God, is not consciousness or feeling; but, the same Bible, which is the Word of God.

ANNEX - IV -

I. CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE WORSHIPER

  * A true worshiper, in advance, has prepared his mind and heart through a prior knowledge of the Bible, and then live a life in full worship. True worship of God must be with intelligence, for this will give a purpose and a reason to worship. When knowledge is lacking, God is worshiped by emotion and the human heart is deceitful.

  * By previous knowledge about adoration, the true worshiper maintains a pleasant relationship and a living communion with his Creator, wherever the worshiper may be.

  * The true worshiper is committed to God because he loves Him. Just as a man and a woman engage in marriage, becouse they love each other.

  * Worship and service are a privilege and not a burden for a true worshiper. The true worshiper rejoy himself serving his Lord, even though he may suffer for the sake of the Lord.

  * A true worshiper is diligent to be early and punctual in every meeting of his congregation. It implies that you know the days of your church service and do not commit that time to anyone. He even makes preparations in his work to be early in the house of God. If a job prevents him from congregating, requests arrangements schedule or ask God for another job.

  * A true worshiper avoids tasks, jobs or commitments of any kind that could prevent him from reaching the temple in time.

  * A true worshiper knows that since the beginning of the service until the end, there is a rain of blessing in the congregation that will be unrepeatable.

  * A true worshiper does not excuse himself thinking that he is tired and that it is the will of God that he should stay resting in the house, instead of going to the temple to worship. Except for an emergency.

  * A true worshiper knows that the meeting has two parts: In the first, we worship and praise God, we speak to God and we express gratitude to Him. In the second part, God speaks to us through the preaching of his Word (Bible). Therefore, neither of them should be lost.

  * A true worshiper knows that he is a Christian not only in the temple, but that he is a worshiper in his work, in his house and wherever he goes. He is a worshiper twenty-four hours a day. This implies that he takes care of his behavior, words and actions, not just when he is alone, but in front of others.

  * A true worshiper reaches all the services and does so in a timely manner, because the meeting is for the great king. Just as any employer would not accept that their employee is late for their work. Sometimes Christians are more faithful to their work than to the meeting of the great king, who gives us life and fills us with great blessings.

  * A true worshiper does not lose his humility, although God exalts him. A true worshiper is also considered a servant of God and a disciple every day of his life. That implies that no matter how much God exalts us on this Earth, we just remain as administrators of the divine goods.

  * A true worshiper surrenders all the glory to God for what he allows him to do, because it is not about what we do for God, but about what God does through us (1 Corinthians 15:10).

CONCLUSION

In Christianity, we have many ministers, singers, musicians, teachers and preachers; but not all are worshipers in spirit and in truth.

Adoration embraces the whole lifestyle of the worshiper. It is not the talents, ministries or gifts that make us pleasing before God as worshipers; but, our fruits as Christians (John 15:8).

The ministers and singers must be careful not to please the hearts and ears of the people; if not to please the heart of the heavenly Father in their preaching and songs.

The Church has collaborated so that many singers and ministers, who were genuine worshipers, will deviate from their calling as a worshiper, by exalting them and offering them large sums of money for their conferences and concerts.

On the one hand, there are those who take advantage of singers and ministers to make money. On the other, the singers and recognized ministers who charge for their presentations and sermons.

A true worshiper should be satisfied with the offering that God puts in the hearts of the people, because what they carry in their songs and preaching is the story of Jesus, who was crucified for love. He did not charge to die for humanity.

CHRISTIAN BOOKS WRITTEN BY

JOEL PERDOMO

  1. THERE IS NO CURSE FOR CHRISTIANS

  2. THE TITHE FROM ABRAHAM TO CHRIST

  3. THE PROPHECY AS MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH

  4. EFFECTIVE PRAYER

  5. LAW AND GRACE

  6. THE CALL TO MINISTRY

  7. MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH

  8. WORSHIPERS IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

  9. FAITH WITHOUT LIMITS

  10. WITHOUT HOLINESS, NOBODY WILL SEE THE LORD

  11. LIFE AND MINISTRY, AUTOBIOGRAPHY

  12. THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL AS SIGNS OF THE END

  13. AUTHORITY - THE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE

  14. HUMILIATION AND EXALTATION OF THE CHRISTIAN

  15. DIVINE WISDOM

  16. ANSWERS TO DIFFICULT QUESTIONS OF THE BIBLE

  17. INTERESTING THEMES OF HE BIBLE

 The word " **know** " refers here to having sex. This same word is used in Genesis to indicate that Adam knew his wife (Eve) and she conceived children, Gen. 4: 1, 25. The Sodomites wanted to rape the angels sent by God to the perverted city of Sodom.

 Salvation is a divine gift; but we must maintain it, so as not to lose it as the Bible shows: 19 My brothers and sisters, if any of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover a multitude of sins (James 5: 19-20). See Matthew 18: 6-9; Luke 15: 11-32 and 17: 1; Hebrews 2: 1-4 and 12: 15-17; 2 Peter 2: 20-22; Revelation 13:11.

 In an act of adoration (the Holy Supper), the Bible warns that the Christian, before participating, must first prove himself:28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup (1 Corinthians 11:28).

 In the Law, sin was paid with immediate death; that is why the Levites obeyed the order of Moses. In Grace, Jesus is our substitute and God gives opportunity for repentance, while we are alive (Hebrews 9:27).

 The present worshipers must dress in a holy way inwardly (Rev. 3:18); and honestly on the outside to minister before God (1 Tim 2: 9-10). God has not changed: Jesus Christ is the same as yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13: 8).

 The Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit, but that does not mean that he should not congregate in a temple or physical structure. The Bible states:

25Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25).

 Luke 12:42-44

