The Real Jesus

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:

on them which fell, severity;

but toward thee, goodness,

if thou continue in his goodness:

otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Rom 11:22

Do you know the REAL JESUS, the Lord of Heaven and Earth? Are you in fellowship with the true JESUS of scripture?

God is love, and truly that love is revealed in Jesus Christ, as we see in these scriptures:
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

The Love of God was made manifest in sending His Son into the world to die for our sins. His outpouring of mercy and love on His creation was clearly demonstrated by this great sacrificial act. God further displays His love for us in the multitude of gifts He has lavished on His Church. This Father of Lights cares so tenderly for us that He keeps us hidden in Christ, from the weapons of the adversary:

• Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.


There is yet another dimension to the Jesus Christ of scripture, one of wrath, anger and judgment against the wicked. To negate any one of these traits of the nature of God, is to deny our knowledge of Him. The Holy Almighty God and Savior has judged severely and will again, as we shall read:
• Lam 2:2 The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.


• Num 16:32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.


• Jud 1:5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.


• Rev 2:23 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.


• Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.


The Jesus Christ of scripture who loves His children and leads them to eternal life, will often times employ painful lessons so that we may repent and be perfected in holiness: Jesus Christ will:

• Send the bread of affliction (Isa 30:20);
• He will scourge us (Heb. 12:6);
• Chasten us (Deut. 8:5);
• Punish us for our iniquities (Matt 24:51)
God will also cut us off from His Body, if we become as Lot’s wife, who disobeyed the command of God (as did Eve), losing such a great salvation:
• Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.


If your church, pastor, bible study teacher, parent or other spiritual leader is NOT leading you to the REAL JESUS of scripture, be diligent and seek Him in TRUTH. The Spirit at work in the children of disobedience would have you see only a one dimensional God who is devoid of wrath and will save no matter how sinful one may become. There ARE false brethren, as scripture has warned:
• 2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

God’s nature is eternal and does not change, as it is written:

• Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The Lord has given us His Spirit and the written Word, so that we may know without a shadow of a doubt, His will for mankind, the promises to the faithful, and the consequences on the rebellious. We have a historical record which reveals how God dealt with man from the beginning of history. To assume now, post-cross of Christ, that He no longer judges wickedness, (as so many in Christianity now do assume) is to doubt the Lord we claim to know.

We must:
• Depart from iniquity (2 Ti 2:19);
• Walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16);
• Deny ungodliness (Titus 2:12);
• Deny ourselves DAILY (Luke 9:23.
These are covenantal conditions that are New Covenant, New Testament, the Words of the apostles and Jesus Christ Himself.

To gain further insight into God’s will, the children of Israel received these Words of God, given to the prophet Moses:
• Deu 11:1-32:

Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. 2.And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm, 3 And his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land; 4 And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how the LORD hath destroyed them unto this day; 5 And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came into this place; 6 And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel: 7 But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did. 8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; 9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey. 10 For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: 11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: 12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. 13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. 15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. 16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; 17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. 18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: 21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. 22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; 23 Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be. 25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. 29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. 30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh? 31 For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein. 32 And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day.


Jesus Christ has fulfilled the Law, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that were against us (Col 2:14), however, God will still judge a rebellious and wicked heart, one that has turned aside from the truth of Christianity:


Rom 11:20-23:

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Jud 1:11-13

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.


Hear O Israel:
Jdg 10:11-13


And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? 12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. 13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.
Jesus Christ HAS delivered us from the land of sin and death, offering us an entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of God. Let us not neglect such a great salvation and serve the REAL JESUS acceptably with reverence and fear, for our God IS a consuming fire.
Morning Manna
Nov 29, 2009

Revival

And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Eph 2:1

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God

out of the fish's belly, and said,
I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD,

and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I,

and thou heardest my voice.

For thou hadst cast me into the deep,

in the midst of the seas;

and the floods compassed me about:

all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight;

yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul:

the depth closed me round about,

the weeds were wrapped about my head.

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains;

the earth with her bars was about me for ever:

yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption,

O LORD my God.

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD:

and my prayer came in unto thee,

into thine holy temple.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving;

I will pay that that I have vowed.

Salvation is of the LORD.

and the LORD spake unto the fish,

and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Jonah 2:1-10

What is revival – that is, what is biblical revival? Passing many churches in this nation, you will see signs advertising “revivals” and many of these types of gatherings are receiving national, if not, global popularity.

Is the jerking, shaking, and spasmodic body movements accompanying these revivals biblical or is it another spirit manifesting in loss of control, hysteria and trance. What is this falling down backwards and writhing on the floor in some ecstatic state? Is THIS the quickening of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter the Father sends in Jesus name? Jesus Christ told us what to expect when the Spirit is present:

Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:


Let us examine what SCRIPTURE defines as revival and try the spirits of those ministries who are claiming that the Spirit of the Almighty God is present in their meetings. A study of the Word of God will reveal, that those ministries are outside the parameters of true Christianity and preaching “…another Jesus”, blaspheming the truth of the Word of God.

The Lord warned us that many would come in His name, proclaiming to be Christ.


Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Go ye not thereafter after them! If they say, “He is in the desert…go forth NOT, He is in the secret chambers – BELIEVE IT NOT!” If they say, He is in Kansas City or Pensacola, what will you do?


Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not there: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.


The Bible warns us against deceiving, lying spirits whose sole purpose is to drive us far away from the truth of the scriptures. In fact, both Old and New Testaments have much to say regarding false prophets and exhortation that we test their words and judge righteously.


1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.


I recently viewed a “revival” on Daystar Television and was concerned to see so many overcome by emotionalism and hysteria. If the scriptures tell us that He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment, why is it that none of these manifestations of the Holy Spirit were occurring? I saw men and women shaking, having little to no control over their bodies, I heard chanting and, NO SCRIPTURE.

We are instructed to study to show ourselves approved unto GOD, and if we are Christians, we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who will lead us and guide us into ALL truth. If this is not the biblical revival that the scriptures reveal, then what is it?

Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.


The apostle Paul wrote that we were to have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to reprove them, for all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light. The Light of God is revealed in the Word and testified of by His Holy apostles and prophets. As Christians, we are expressly forbidden from partaking in these “unfruitful works of darkness”:

1Co 10:20 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.


1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Biblical Revival

God has quickened (revived) us, who were dead in trespass and sins. We were translated from death to life WHEN we repented of our sins and believed the gospel. If we have indeed obeyed the gospel:

We became a new creature:


2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.


We receive a new heart:


Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:


We have passed from death to life:

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We receive Gifts of the Holy Spirit:


1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.


1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.


1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.


1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.


1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;


1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;


1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:


1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

We produce the Fruit of the Spirit:


Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,


Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.


We overcome sin:

1Jn 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.


1Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

We are born again:


1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.


We proclaim the Gospel:

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We pray and God hears us:


1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.


We have power with God:


Gen 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed

We are hated by the world:

Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.


The apostle Peter teaches us in 2nd Peter 1, to add to our faith, temperance, which is self-control. The Holy Spirit brings peace, calm and clarity to our beings, causing us to walk circumspectly and upright, conducting ourselves in manners as becoming Christians. The Spirit does not cause us to exhibit wild behavior, nor does He cause us to let go with wreckless abandon. He does not chant, He does not cause us to writhe, He does not cause us to move our body with violent jerking motions. These actions are found NO WHERE in scripture.


The breath of God IS His Holy Spirit. It brings us life:

The Spirit of God hath made me,

and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 33:4

And when he had said this,

he breathed on them, and saith unto them,

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Joh 20:22

Biblical revival is therefore evidenced by repentance, bringing restoration to a soul that was alienated from God. The very fact that we must be quickened, as defined by scripture, is because of sin. An individual who is in right standing with Christ, has no need of spiritual revival, as his life is hid in Christ.


Psa 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.


Psa 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?


Psa 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?


(Hos 14:7) They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

(Hab 3:2) O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the destruction of the Temple, Jesus said, “Destoy THIS temple, and in 3 days I will raise it up.” Indeed the temple He spoke of was His body. The glory of the gospel is truly revealed in those words, that through His death, the shedding of His precious blood, we who were dead, would be raised with Him, forgiven of our trespasses and spiritually revived unto life. This is revival.

(Hos 6:2) After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

I MUST DECREASE

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him,

the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Joh 7:18





As Christians, we seek to emulate the life of Jesus Christ, putting to death the old man that wars against the Spirit. As we continue to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, our focus on self will decrease, as the Baptist taught, and the life of Christ will overflow as the fountain of Living Waters.



Our natural minds are the enemies of God and will oppose the teachings of the Holy Spirit in every case. For it is written: Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Our old nature will seek to rise up and seek glory from men, desire flattery and attention. Carnality loves the praise of men and women and will never point to the Lord, but draw attention to self. This spirit will compromise with the Truth residing in the scriptures and cause a soul that perhaps was once on fire for the Lord, to become lukewarm. It is the salt that loses its savor – and good for nothing. If we are worthless salt to the world, the scripture says:



Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.



The apostate system is filled with teachers, preachers and the like, who have built up kingdoms for themselves and not the Kingdom of God. A false minister will tickle ears and draw disciples to themselves as Paul warned:



Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.





Have we compromised on the truth of the gospel and followed after self serving ministers? Are we eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and not the true manna that came down from heaven – Jesus Christ? Are we filling our ears with sermons that perpetrate a lust for the treasures of this world? Do we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking after craftiness or handling the Word of God deceitfully? Do we agree with liars? Do we ignore and condemn those who bring convicting words of truth to our hearts? Are we running away from repentance, ignoring that still small voice inside of us that says:





Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.



The apostle Paul taught us to:



2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?





It is clear -- if we are supporting false ministries, if we agree with the preachers that are bringing forth a false gospel or compromising the truth, we are reprobates:

2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.



2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.



Jer 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.



Seeking our own glory and not the glory of God is idolatry. It is a mindset that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and quenches the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth.



A person who is seeking the glory of God has been judged as righteous and true (John 7:18). He seeks to please his Heavenly Father, even in the face of rejection and scorn of unbelievers. A person walking in the truth will be persecuted:



Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.



Jesus – our example:



Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.





The Prophet Jeremiah received such a magnificent Word of the Lord on this subject –



Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.



God delights when our hearts seek after Him! He blesses those that:



Pro 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.



Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.



All the prophets and apostles pointed to God alone and rejected the praise of men. Even the angels denied worship and admonished us to worship God alone. Christ must be central to our faith and we must be aware of the spirit that will seek to destroy the voice of the One who died for us.





Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.



Finally, let us keep close to our hearts, these words of the apostle, seeking this Word to be rooted within us:



Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.



Lord Jesus, help us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

Hyper-Agenda-Ism

We cannot enter into study of the scriptures with a mindset that is fixated on any other agenda or preconceived ideology and THINK we will receive the truth of scriptures. Such reasoning is carnal and the carnal man is enmity with the Word.

A person who believes in a rapture before the coming of the Lord will enter into study looking for proof texts to support what he has already determined to be a truth, and will miss out on what the Word is attempting to teach us.


The Word of God is the pure language written in heaven, and we are blessed to have received it. Let us remember as we open the Book, that we are partaking in an exchange between a HOLY GOD and ourselves, between HE, who is all knowing, and we, who are severely limited in our understanding.


I have come to understand that this hyper-focus on agenda-ism, is yet another ploy of satan to distract us from growing into the full measure and stature of Christ, and must repented of.

Can I learn anything of God from scripture study, clinging to my OWN ideas. How can a Calvinist realize that the true calling, when they are believing that only the “elect” will inherit salvation? How will they understand the scriptures that says God calls all to repentance and salvation, but that man will chose whether to accept the gift or reject it? Their reasoning is clouded with hyper-agenda-ism and they block the Spirit, thereby silencing God Himself.

Those stuck in hyper-agenda-ism are stuck – and they lack the fruit that the scriptures require us to produce. If we would simply get our minds out of God’s way, a natural progression to maturity would occur.

When listening to a minister of the faith, we would do well to call into mind how the apostles and prophets revealed the voice of God to us. How were the Words given, and what? Was there equality in presentation, sharing not only the promises, but the warning also? Are preachers consistently in a mindset that reveals their own hyper-agenda-ism, or are we hearing the flow of the Holy Spirit, with the witness of pure truth from the Throne room? Are disciples being made, or are the listeners stuck in the mud hearing the same teachings over and over and over again?

The Word of God teaches us to cast down our (own) imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. (anti-christ).

Only the Word Himself can teach us the Word and only by the Spirit can we understand the Word. Jesus told us that His sheep would hear His voice and follow Him, that they would not follow the voice of a stranger – a stranger whose own hyper-agenda-ism takes them away from the flock and leads them off a cliff.

Satan wants to disable us; he wants to break our legs and arms, weaken our minds and steal Jesus Christ away from us. False ministers/teachers serve him very well by chiseling away, little by little, the engrafted Word within us.


If we as a church are dependent upon men for truth, we will fall. If all we hear is about the love of God, but not His severity, how will we know the true Jesus of the scriptures. Contrariwise, if all we hear is the voice of condemnation, our faith will be harmed to such a point that one may even leave the faith, believing that the hyper-agenda-ism he has heard IS truth.


Peter told us to add to our faith --


2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;


2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;


2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.


2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.


2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:


2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


Peter teaches us that if virtue, knowledge, patience, temperance, charity and the like are within us, we will neither be barren or unfruitful.


I must also point out, that while we must have discerning spirits to determine whether an individual is being led of the Holy Spirit by the quality of their teachings, it is also important to note that God will call an individual to preach on a specific topic. For example, God called Jonah to Ninevah to preach repentance and this was also the message of John the Baptist. John and Jonah did not reveal mysteries, that Paul for example did. It was one cry from the heart of God – REPENT. So, again, we must discern, by knowing God’s voice and truth.

The Word is Doctrine

There is a common misconception within some Christian circles, that doctrine (that is teaching), is insignificant. That it is somehow irrelevant to the Christian walk, and that rather, we should simply “love one another.”  While the latter is true, for love truly is the greatest, 1 Cor. 13:13, and by love, all men shall know that we are Christ’s disciples John 13:35, it is also the will of God that we know His Word. In Matthew 28:20,after Jesus rose from the dead, appearing to His disciples, He said:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Word given to Hosea stated:


Hos 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. 3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. 4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. :5 Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

Without knowledge of the Word (doctrine/teaching), that is knowing what God expects of His children, we will fall (Hosea 4:5). It is an apparent ploy of satan’s ministers to withhold teaching the “simplicity of the gospel” to their congregations. They will simply share that Jesus was born of a virgin, died on the cross and rose again, however, the conditions of salvation are startlingly withheld – repentance, abiding in Christ, dieing to self, and yielding to the Spirit. They do not teach it because they do not know it. They do not know it, because it was not taught to them. Sadly because of lack of love of the Word and dedication to studying the Will of God in the scriptures, many Christians are weak and have no power to resist the wiles of the devil. Compounding to this deficiency is that they are assured they have peace with God.

Without knowledge, (doctrine) people are destroyed and it is paramount for all Christians to understand that because they have rejected knowledge, God will reject THEM. The condemnation is not only on the priests/pastors, but on those that love to have it so. Jeremiah 5:31.

Deut. 32 is a strong warning to us, as it was to the children of Israel, what will fall upon a people who reject Him. We must remember, that when we are rejecting God’s doctrine, we are rejecting God Himself. Deut 32 reads



Deu 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:


What is rain? What is dew? Is it not the water from heaven that gives life to all living things? What is the water from heaven, but the Word of God. Ephesians 5:26 This pure living water that flows out of the temple of God are the words of life, that cup of water that Christ wishes we give to one another, for His words are Spirit and they are life.


Deu 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.

Moses publishes the name of the Lord – and His name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:13.

Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Jesus is the Rock, 1 Cor. 10:4, and He teaches us judgment, truth, what is just and what is right. Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Mathew 4:4


Deu 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.

Rather than being presented as a glorious church, without spot (Ephesians 5:27), the children of Israel were unholy and blemished. Moses called them a perverse and crooked generation because they had corrupted themselves.


6. Do you thus deal with the LORD,O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?7“ Remember the days of old,Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you: 8 When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations,When He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the LORD’s portion is His people;Jacob is the place of His inheritance.


Deu 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Was not that waste howling wilderness, the land of sin and death? But God led the children of Israel out, God instructed them with his DOCTRINE, and kept them, because He loved them.

11 As an eagle stirs up its nest,Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, 12 So the LORD alone led him,And there was no foreign god with him. 13 “He made him ride in the heights of the earth, (Risen with Christ)That he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock;


What is honey?


Rev 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.


Son 4:11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.


14 Curds from the cattle, and milk of the flock, With fat of lambs; And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, With the choicest wheat; And you drank wine, the blood of the grapes.


What is wheat and wine?


Our bread comes from the grain, and Jesus is that bread; the wine is the Spirit. We can know that because we have studied the teachings (doctrine) of scripture.


15 “But Jeshurun (means straight, another name for Israel)grew fat and kicked;You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him,
And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 16 They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods;With abominations they provoked Him to anger.17 They sacrificed to demons, not to God,To gods they did not know, To new gods, new arrivals That your fathers did not fear. 18 Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful,And have forgotten the God who fathered you. 19 “And when the LORD saw it, He spurned them,Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. 20 And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them,I will see what their end will be,For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faith.


God says these were children with no faith. The apostate churches today teach that sin is not the issue, yet claim still to have faith in Christ. This scripture proves that following a path of wickedness removes one from the faith.


21 They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in My anger,And shall burn to the lowest hell; It shall consume the earth with her increase,
And set on fire the foundations of the mountains. 23 ‘I will heap disasters on them;
I will spend My arrows on them. 24 They shall be wasted with hunger,Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, With the poison of serpents of the dust. 25 The sword shall destroy outside;There shall be terror within For the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs. 26 I would have said, “I will dash them in pieces,I will make the memory of them to cease from among men,” 27 Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy,Lest their adversaries should misunderstand, Lest they should say, “Our hand is high; And it is not the LORD who has done all this.”’ 28 “For they are a nation void of counsel, Nor is there any understanding in them.


Void of counsel – void of the understanding of God His teachings.


29 Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,That they would consider their latter end!


God wishes they were wise, knowing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.


30 How could one chase a thousand,And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had surrendered them? 31 For their rock is not like our Rock,Even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of SodomAnd of the fields of Gomorrah; Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. 33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,And the cruel venom of cobras. 34 ‘Is this not laid up in store with Me,Sealed up among My treasures? 35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;Their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.’ 36 “For the LORD will judge His people
And have compassion on His servants, When He sees that their power is gone, And there is no one remaining, bond or free. 37 He will say: ‘Where are their gods,The rock in which they sought refuge? 38 Who ate the fat of their sacrifices,And drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise and help you, And be your refuge. 39 ‘Now see that I, even I, am He,And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive;  wound and I heal; or is there any who can deliver from My hand.  For I raise My hand to heaven,And say, “As I live forever, 41 If I whet My glittering sword,And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me. 42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood,and My sword shall devour flesh,
With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the heads of the leaders of the enemy.”’ 43 “ Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;[a]For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”


God’s people were destroyed because they rebelled against His Word (doctrine).

(Pro 4:2) For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.


(Isa 28:9) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (The mature)

The Word became flesh in Jesus Christ and many were astounded at His teachings/doctrine:

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, (DOCTRINE) and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. :26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.


Jesus warns us against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees:


Mat 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.


Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh, the Word that was made flesh, amazed his followers by His miracles and power.


(Mar 1:27) And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.


Jesus Christ was given all power in heaven and earth and He gave power to His disciples as well.

1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

(Mar 11:18) And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.


(Joh 7:17) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.


Act 2:42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.


(Rom 6:17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.


(Rom 16:17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.


1Co 14:6) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?


(1Co 14:26) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.


Eph 4:14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;


(1Ti 1:3) As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,


(1Ti 1:10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;


(1Ti 4:6) If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.


(1Ti 4:16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.


(1Ti 5:17) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.


1Ti 6:1) Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.


(1Ti 6:3) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;


(2Ti 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:


(2Ti 4:2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.


(2Ti 4:3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;


(Tit 1:9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.


(2Jn 1:9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.


(2Jn 1:10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:


Do not receive him! If one comes to you that is bringing another teaching, but says they are a Christian, we must have the discernment to know that they are not to be accepted as brethren.


Jesus warns of the doctrines of Balaam, Balac, Nicolatians and Jezebel in the book of Revelation, as teachings that will condemn.


(Rev 2:14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.


(Rev 2:15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.


Rev 2:24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.


The scriptures clearly teach us that knowing doctrine, obeying doctrine, and teaching doctrine ARE the will of God. We have read the rewards on those who follow it, and sadly, the consequences that will fall upon those who resist it.


Many will come in name (THE WORD) saying they are Christ. How will we know the true from the false? By doing the will of God…for if any man will do the will of God, he will know of the doctrine.

Worship

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb,

and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.   (Job 1:20-22)

What exactly is a "Worship service?"  Pass any of a multitude of churches on any given Sunday and you will see advertisements for their worship services.  What exactly is biblical worship?
Certainly we may be moved by certain musical expressions led by the Holy Spirit – there are beautiful songs written to glorify GOD – and personally, there is nothing more that I love than to hear put to music than the Word – especially the Psalms.

So what IS worship? How can we worship God in Spirit and Truth and not be led away by false worship which we will learn from the scriptures is idolatry?

Father, let our lives be pure worship to you, by submission through sacrificial love that is found only in Christ Jesus. This is the worship you desire and one your bride wishes to offer.


(Gen 22:5) And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

 Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt (tested) Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

 Abraham is worshipping God by obeying Him in offering his “only son,” Isaac. He submits to the will of God, despite his longing for his child. The worship was revealed through his obedience.



Exo 34:11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.  12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: 13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; 16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

Once again, God is defining our obedience to Him as worship. (Verse 14) and warns the children of Israel not to go after the gods of the other nations.

Deu 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

 God is warning the children of Israel to beware – that when they would lift up their eyes to the sun, the moon and the stars, they would be “…driven to worship them and SERVE them.”

 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Jer 7:24


God is a jealous God,  and commands us to love Him above all.  This is true faith and and worship.  If we are walking after the idols of the world and claim we are worshipping God, we are in need of repentance. 


Deu 8:19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

God warns the repercussions of idolatry – that is worshipping them: “ye shall surely perish.” This is the same Word given to Adam in the garden.


Deu 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;


Satan has deceived the whole world (Rev. 12:9) and in Deut 11:16 God is warning us to be VIGILANT – to take heed that our hearts not be deceived. The adversary tempts us through pleasure to our senses –

 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Gen 3:6


Are we being drawn away from GOD in our assemblies by false worship OR is the music we sing and listen to exalting the Risen Savior also reflected in our lives? Do we lift up our voices to HIM with pure praise, OR is the music doing something else?


Satan is IN the holy place claiming to be God –


Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;
so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2Th 2:4


Yes, satan is in the churches and deceiving many. He has tricked well meaning Christians into believing what worship is! Many of these individuals believe that worship is, simply, music.

 (Deu 26:10) And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:

 God gets the firstfruits, and this was so clearly revealed to us in the life of Jesus Christ. His life was an offering to God, as was His death. He was worship revealed in Word and in deed. Christ IS the firstfruits, and those that are found in HIM at His coming. Brothers and sisters, when we, like our Lord Jesus, offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him, this is worship.


Jos 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.


God’s presence demands worship. He is pure holiness and every prophet of God who heard His voice and saw His face fell down and worshipped. Who is this Captain of the Host that demands worship from Joshua? There is a clue within the text – He carried a SWORD.


Further, Angels of God reject Worship, as did the apostles – and admonished us to WORSHIP ONLY GOD.


(Psa 5:7) But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.


David’s psalm reveals HOW he worshipped God and how we should. First, he was in God’s house. Second, he received God’s mercy. Last, David worshipped in fear.


As Christians, we must be in GOD’s House – not a building made with stone, but indwelt with the Spirit of God through the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Further, true worshippers have received God’s mercy by the blood of the Lamb—and NOT consumed. Finally, we must worship God in fear – this fear of God that is preached and taught from the beginning of the Bible until the end.


Psa 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.


Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,and given him a name which is above every name:That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:9-11


Finally, the only worship that God will accept is in Christ --
 
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.