GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Deut. 26:1-11, Romans 10:8-13, Luke 4:1-13

Introduction

What is truth? This was a question from Pilate to Jesus during the trial. What I can say is, the Word of God is truth. Jesus Christ is the Word of God, John 1:1. And what is not truth is the native language of Satan, "...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 (NIV)

When we are able to uphold the centrality of the Word of God, then we are with the truth for Christ Jesus is truth.

The Truth About Us [Christian]

The sacrifice of Christ has not only made us the righteous beloved children of God but has also recreated our spirits so that the Holy Spirit can live in us. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is a confirmation that we have been recreated spiritually perfect. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” Eph. 1:13.

As Christians, we are “saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the [Word of] truth." 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV). Know that we are spiritual beings who possess souls and live in bodies. Our spiritual nature is made perfect for the Holy Spirit to live in us by faith in the sacrifice of Christ. The Holy Spirit then empowers us to believe the truth by bringing our way of thinking in accordance with the Word of God. 

As a believer, is your way of thinking in accordance with the Word of God or contrary to the Word of God? Paul exhorts us to renew our minds, have a spiritual walk with the Lord by believing and acting in accordance with the Word of God.

The Truth About Worship

Our knowledge of the truth about God in addition to the truth about humans will help us connect to the truth about worship. 

God created man to partner Him rule the earth with the dominion mandate (Genesis 2:15). This right to rule depended on our relationship with the Creator which is maintained through the life of worship (obedience). Man's primary duty is to obey God and that is worship. 

Today, Christian worship is getting confined to our attendance at church services and we say, we are going to worship. Worship is not a programme or an event that ends. Worship is a lifestyle. It is the Christian culture - way of life. This is truth of worship. When we understand God’s love and abundant provisions, our response can only be that of worship. Maintaining a spiritual walk with the Lord is our truthfulness in worship. 

Beloved in Christ, we have at our disposal the same and much more spiritual resources that Jesus used when He faced and defeated Satan – prayer (Luke 6:12), the Father’s love (Matt. 17:5), the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1), and the Word of God (Luke 4:4,8,12). And in addition, we have Jesus Christ in Heaven interceding on our behalf (Rom. 3:34).

Truthfulness in Worship is NOT about what you wear, location, posture, the ablution, day and time. No! far beyond... Jesus said, "... a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (NIV). 

Truthfulness in worship is Sacrifice. The sacrifice of Christ opened our new life and relationship with God. If Jesus loved us so much to sacrifice His very life for us, will it not be to our advantage to give our life to Him? Who can take good care of our lives than Him? The giving of our life is to offer the least of everything we have to Him. 

Worship involves the sacrifice of our substance. Give to Him the best or the first of what He gives to you (Deut. 26:1-2). 

Worship also involves the sacrifice of our total will to the obedience of Christ. At salvation, man is recreated spiritually perfect for the Holy Spirit to dwell in (PH 263 - Onyame Honhom Kronkrom bra betena me mu...). The presence of the Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to live by the truth (God's word, Christ Jesus) so that we can offer acceptable worship to God.

Truthfulness in worship is full Faith. Jesus' temptation was the devil's plan to get Him to doubt the Word of God (Luke 4:1-13). “If you are the Son of God” was to get Jesus to doubt the Words His Father had just spoken to Him during His baptism. A beloved child would not doubt the fullness of the Father’s provisions. Precious one, what Christ went through on our behalf has made us God’s beloved children. God loves us just as much as He loved His Son, Jesus Christ. Our faith in God is our truthfulness in worship. Never exchange your faith for fear.

Satan tempts us to bring back the old sinful life. Temptation is the devil's weapon to defeat us, but God can use it to build us up. Meanwhile, Child of God, it is always better and easier to prevent what is preventable than to cure what could have been prevented. It is better and easier to be immunised against COVID-19 than to treat it on ventilation and life support. We need to rely on God to resist temptations instead of yielding to them. 

Christ paid the penalty for sin so that we could become God’s beloved children. All we need to do is to confess Him as Saviour and Lord, then we are saved. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 (NIV).

Conclusion

Truthfulness in worship is life in Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord? 

Amen!

Shalom aleichem...