Chapter 19
HIS MAJESTY FOR YOUR WORSHIP
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
JOHN 20:28 NIV
179 Jesus Is Lord (1)
Few people today question that Jesus was a man. Many doubt He was God. In the early church, it was exactly the opposite.
Spiritual leaders who spawned false teachings didn’t think Jesus was both fully God and fully man. Cerinthus taught incorrectly that Christ came on Jesus at His baptism. He left Him at the crucifixion. Jesus was a mere man. Wrong! Jesus is God with skin on!
Jesus Christ is more than just a great man and a great teacher. In Greek mythology, beings that were half man and half god were demigods. One parent was a god. The other was a human being.
Jesus wasn’t a demigod. His conception was a miracle. Mary was a human being. The Holy Spirit was responsible for her pregnancy.
Jesus wasn’t 50 percent man and 50 percent God. He was 100 percent man and 100 percent God. He’s fully God and fully man. He’s God with skin.
James Gandolfini starred in the TV show, The Sopranos. In a 2009 appearance on “Inside the Actor’s Studio,” James Lipton asked him a question.
“If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say at the pearly gates?" Gandolfini’s response—"Take over for a while, I'll be right back.”1 It’s a novel wish. But it isn’t going to happen!
At Jesus’ birth, an angel called Him Savior, Christ, and the Lord (Luke 2:11). He’s the Word. The Word was God (John 1:1). The Word became flesh (John 1:14).
Since He’s the Word made flesh, He’s God and man. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, saw His crucifixion wounds. He described Jesus as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
Jesus claimed the ability to do something only the Lord can do—forgive sin (Mark 2:7–11). He claimed the same title as the Lord of Psalm 23:1—shepherd.
In John 10:11 He claimed to be the good shepherd. He lays down His life for the sheep. The clear conclusion is that Jesus is Lord (Yahweh of the Old Testament).
Doubters insist Jesus never claimed to be God. They say His followers made that claim for Him.
John’s Gospel clearly describes Jesus’ opponents’ understanding of His claims. They tried to kill Him because they thought He was breaking the Sabbath. Furthermore, He claimed a unique relationship with the Father, making Himself God’s equal (John 5:18).
In John 10:31 the Jews tried to stone Jesus. They did it because He claimed to be God (John 10:30–33). You can’t believe in God without believing in His Son. God hasn’t left that option open to you. (John 5:23).2
How does Jesus’ being Lord affect your daily life? Read Colossians 1.
180 Jesus Is Lord (2)
Do you know anyone who has never done anything wrong? If you think so, you should talk to his/her spouse or best friends.
You’d be hard-pressed to identify a single sinless day in your life. If you think differently, you need to reevaluate your definition of sin.
By contrast, John lived with Jesus as a disciple for three-plus years. He didn’t observe a single sin in His life. (1 John 3:5).
Peter agreed that Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 2:22). You wouldn’t have to follow me for fifteen minutes to find evidence that I’m a sinner.
Jesus came and brought you God the Father. He didn’t just tell you about God. He showed you what God is like.
Knowing Him means knowing the Father (John 8:19). Believing in Him means believing in the Father (John 12:44).
Honoring Him means honoring the Father (John 5:23). Hating Him means hating the Father (John 15:23).
Seeing Him means seeing the Father (John 14:9). Welcoming Him means welcoming the Father (Mark 9:37).
Humans are concerned about who is number one. Who has the best car, dog, or house? Whatever the endeavor, we try to figure out who is the best.
We want to be number one. We want to be the best at something. It’s our way of proving our worth and making our mark on earth.
We’re often so preoccupied with trying to be number one that we don’t give proper worship to Him who is number one. The spotlight can be on your accomplishments or Jesus, but not both. In subtle and not-so-subtle ways, we spend much of our lives trying to steal the glory that should be His alone.
Colossians 1:15–18 describe Jesus’ number one status in three ways. He’s the image of God, like a reflection of Him in a mirror. He perfectly reveals what God is like.
He’s the firstborn (first in rank) over all creation. He made it to do His will and give Him glory.
He’s the head of the church (the collection of all believers, past, present, and future). He’s its Leader and the source of its life.
He has first place in everything (Colossians 1:18). Instead of saying, “We’re number one,” we should say, “Jesus is number one.”
In Philippians 2:10–11, every knee bowing before Jesus in worship accompanies confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. Calling Jesus Lord implies you do what he says (Luke 6:46).
You owe Jesus complete obedience. He’s your ultimate boss with authority over every area of your life.1
What relationships do you especially need to submit to Jesus’ control:
…friends ...brothers/sisters
...spouse ...coworkers
…parents/guardians ...boss
... neighbors ...relatives
…other Christians …money
... unbelievers
Read Colossians 2.
181 Who Is the Most Mysterious Man Ever?
It’s a mystery that Jesus has both a divine and human nature yet is only one person. That conclusion is based on all the evidence from the Scriptures.
He’s unique. He’s one of a kind. It shouldn’t surprise you that you can’t fathom everything about God or His ways.
“’ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8–9 NIV). The finite can’t fully comprehend the infinite.
Jesus is fully man. He experienced human birth (Galatians 4:4) and normal human development (Luke 2:40). He grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). He had a physical body (Hebrews 10:5).
He had human names. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Old Testament “Joshua.” He’s the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).
He had human weaknesses as we do. He was weary (John 4:6), hungry (Matthew 4:2), and thirsty (John 19:28). He needed sleep (Matthew 8:24). He was tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
He’s repeatedly called and called Himself a man (John 8:40). John the Baptist (John 1:30), Peter (Acts 2:22), and Paul (Acts 13:38) all called Him a man. Most people don’t question whether Jesus was a man. They doubt He is God.
Jesus has the marks of a deity. He’s eternal. He was before John (John 1:15), Abraham (John 8:58), and the world (John 17:5). He existed at the beginning (John 1:1). He continues forever (Hebrews 1:11).
He was in heaven while on earth (John 3:13) and vice versa (Matthew 28:20). He fills everything (Ephesians 1:2–3). He knows everything (John 16:30). He knows the Samaritan woman’s past (John 4:29). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him (Colossians 2:3).
He says, “I’m the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). He upholds everything by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). He has all authority (Matthew 28:18).
He has power over demons (Mark 5:11–15), disease (Luke 4:38–41), death (Matthew 9:25), nature (John 2:11), and everything (Matthew 28:18).
He’s the Creator (John 1:3) and upholder (Colossians 1:17). He forgives sin (Matthew 9:2, 6). He raises the dead (John 20:25). He will execute all judgment (John 5:22).
He’s the greatest and most mysterious man ever!
How does Jesus’ identity enable you to relate to and worship Him today? Read Colossians 3.
182 Is the Trinity for Real?
Yes, the Trinity is for real. I don’t deny the Trinity because I don’t understand it. I don’t deny the existence of advanced calculus because I don’t comprehend it.
The doctrine of the Trinity states that the one and only God exists as three separate co-equal and co-eternal fellowshipping persons. They’re the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That doesn’t make sense to me. But God’s ways and thoughts are farther beyond mine than the farthest star is beyond earth (Isaiah 55:8–9). So is His nature.
Although I can’t fully grasp one God in three persons, I accept it. The Bible’s revelation trumps what human reason considers a contradiction.
If I try to explain the Trinity, I’ll lose my mind. If I deny it, I jeopardize my soul.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit mysteriously inhabit one another. They work as a team to conduct God’s plan for the ages.
“Trinity” isn’t a biblical term. Tertullian first coined it about 1800 years ago. He used it to express what the Bible teaches about God’s nature.
Jesus is the Son of God (John 9:35, Romans 1:4). He is the only begotten Son (John 3:16, 18). He is His firstborn Son (Heb 1:6).
He was a Son before He was “given” (Isa 9:6). His “goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2, KJV). He’s called the “Mighty God” (Isa 9:6).
Like the Father, the Son is eternal (John 1:1, Isaiah 9:6). He’s all-powerful (Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 1:8). He’s all-knowing (Jn 16:30, 21:17). He’s everywhere present (Matthew 28:20). He’s unchangeable (Hebrews 13:8).
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are frequently interconnected in the Bible. There’s far more evidence for the Trinity than I can include here. Christians are to be baptized in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus promised, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me" (John 15:26, ESV).
No one says the Trinity is easy to understand. But it’s for real!
What does the doctrine of the Trinity tell you about Jesus’ identity?
Read Colossians 4.
183 Don’t Forget to Remember
When I was a child, May 30th was Decoration Day. We placed irises from my Uncle Bill’s farm on the graves of loved ones. We took flowers to my mother’s grave. She died when I was seven. Decoration Day was about remembering.
Every year we remember and honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live to the full. We do that on Memorial Day weekend between laps of the Indianapolis 500 and courses of the backyard barbecue!
Seriously, we don’t always gratefully remember our fallen heroes as we should.
“Remember,” appears 231 times in the New International Version of the Bible. God’s people were to remember to live His way (Numbers 15:40).
That was because He repeatedly intervened in their lives for their good (Deuteronomy 5:15). His past promises, miracles, wonders, and judgments are to be daily reference points.
They’re to motivate present obedient behavior (1 Chronicles 16:12). He remembers and blesses His people. He judges those who oppose them.
You sometimes forget the sacrifices of those who’ve made your freedom possible. But God always remembers and keeps His promises (Psalm 105:8). He forgets only your sins (Isaiah 43:25).
You’re often distracted. You forget Him along with your fallen heroes. “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent” (Revelation 3:3a NIV).
In other words, “Remember what you’ve heard, and live it out.” Worshipping God as a way of life begins with remembering.
How is spiritual forgetfulness harmful to your spiritual health? What habits will you start to help you remember what God has done for you?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1.
184 Conformity
Your thinking, feelings, and behavior conform to a norm. The United States government expects its citizens to pay taxes. Motorists in the United States use turn signals and stop at stop signs and red lights. Okay, you’ve noticed not everyone conforms!
You begin life conforming to the world’s deceptive definition of real life. Two would-be-life-shapers battle through the ages—God and the world. Both seek to control you. To be a friend of one is to be an enemy of the other (James 4:4).
What you love shapes you! How you think molds your destiny. The world shapes those who love it and embrace its values. God shapes those who love Him, embrace His values, and seek to be like Him.
You have a choice. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2 NIV). God’s will and the world’s will are mutually exclusive.
You’re born a lover of this world. You are wired to follow the lusts of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life.
The world encourages you like a demonic cheerleader. Satisfy your desires. Make your name great. Go after the girls/guys, gold and glory.
Meet your own needs. Aggressively pursue what you want. It’s the American way. But it’s not God’s way.
His way is to change how you think. That transforms your assumptions, values, and behavior. His word and Spirit set you free from the dark dungeon of foolish thinking created by believing lies (John 8:32).
This reprogramming requires your cooperation and discipline. Life isn’t about you but about Him. It’s about seeking His kingdom and righteousness.
It’s about loving and obeying Him, loving your neighbor as yourself, and loving other believers as Jesus has loved you. It’s about using your resources to bring God glory. Loving Him makes you progressively more like Him (Romans 8:29).
Joshua wrote, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD"(Joshua 24:15 NIV). Choose wisely whom you will worship and serve.
How are you conforming less to the world’s expectations than you used to? Read 1 Thessalonians 2.
185 Best Gift Reminder
At our house, broken things usually get the heave-ho—holey socks and underwear, tattered shoes, and non-stick pans that now stick. I’m glad God doesn’t similarly discard broken people.
Christmas celebrates a gift. It wasn’t under a tree, but eventually on one. God gave it to restore your broken relationship with Him. Giving it required His Son to humble Himself by becoming a human being. He initially slept in a smelly bed of scratchy hay while continuing to be fully God.
A broken pencil symbolizes the snapping of humanity’s spiritual connection with God by doubt and disobedience (Genesis 3). As God promised, the result was spiritual and physical death. Brokenness accompanies both (Genesis 2:17).
God temporarily provided animal sacrifices to address the brokenness. But it was like scotch taping a broken pencil together (Hebrews 10:1–4). It wasn’t a permanent solution.
At just the right time, God gave His best gift. Jesus was born in Bethlehem as that permanent solution.
Jesus can restore broken people like us. His death paid the penalty for our doubt and disobedience. “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14 NIV).
An unbroken pencil represents restoration, but restoration isn’t automatic. Full restoration requires receiving God’s best gift.
God makes broken people perfect by repentance and believing the good news. Jesus is the gift whose death, burial, and resurrection make you whole (Mark 1:15, Hebrews 10:10).
I suggest wrapping a broken and unbroken pencil together. Put them under the Christmas tree every year to remind you of God’s best gift! He’s worthy of your worship!
Have you received God’s best gift (Jesus) into your heart?
Read 1 Thessalonians 3.
186 Worship (1)
The purpose of worship isn’t to bless, entertain, heal, or make you feel good. You don’t attend a worship service to “get something.”
Worship is your whole personality giving glory to a holy God. It doesn’t end at noon on Sunday morning. All of life is an act of worship.
Your whole personality worships. According to William Temple, worship quickens the conscience by God’s holiness, feeds the mind with his truth, cleanses the imagination by his beauty, opens the heart to his love, and devotes the will to his purpose.1 Worshipping God changes you.
True worshippers respond to the revelation they receive. God reveals Himself through His word. If He didn’t, you’d know little about Him. His creation reveals His power, intelligence, order, and beauty (Romans 1:20). Beyond that, He’d be a complete mystery.
In Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses. He reveals that He is holy. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is concerned about the suffering of His people. He will rescue them.
To Isaiah in Isaiah 6, He reveals that He sits on a throne, high and exalted. The train of His robe fills the temple. He’s holy. The whole earth is full of His glory.
Isaiah’s intellectual response was understanding God’s revelation. His emotional response was fear and trembling. His spiritual response was recognizing himself as a man of unclean lips (v. 5). The response of his will was, “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8)
God’s revelation led to service—not good feelings. Good feelings result from doing God’s will.
True worship hasn’t changed. The revelation leads to response through prayer, song, and self-giving to God and your neighbor. You haven’t worshipped fully until you’ve given yourself away to God and others!
This is true and proper worship (Romans 12:1). True worship requires obeying and serving the One you say you worship. (John 4:23–24).2
How can you make all of life an act of worship today?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4.
187 Worship (2)
God demands your exclusive worship (Exodus 34:14). Nevertheless, you’re tempted to worship things such as your house, success, money, electronic devices, car, “toys,” or a church bethel. (Romans 1:25, Micah 5:13).
Worship includes giving God credit for what He’s done (Exodus 32:8). It involves bowing down to Him and offering Him sacrifices (2 Kings 17:36).
It includes singing praise to Him (Psalm 66:4) and giving Him thanks (2 Chronicles 7:3). You praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He has done.
God is worthy of your worship because He made the heavens. Splendor, majesty, strength, and joy surround Him (1 Chronicles 16:23–27).
You bow down and kneel before the Lord because He’s your Maker (Psalm 95:6). He’s holy (Psalm 99:5), loving, and faithful (Psalm 138:2).
The Magi worshipped Jesus (Matthew 2:11). So did His disciples (Matthew 14:33). The women who went to His tomb (Matthew 28:9). The eleven disciples (Matthew 28:17). The blind man He healed (John 9:38). And all God’s angels (Hebrews 1:6).
One day at His name every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11).
A vital prayer life, regular time in the Scriptures, and a sincere effort to obey God outside the sanctuary equip you to worship Him inside it. The worship fire burns brightest when each believer brings a torch already lit.
The worship leader’s task is to blow the wind of the Spirit on existing flames. It isn’t lighting wet wood!
When you’re spiritually sick, you go through worship motions out of obligation or habit. The Father seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
True worship requires a willingness to serve, obey, and submit to the Lord. It’s motivated by love, gratitude, and thanksgiving for who God is and all He’s done.
Attitude is more important than architecture. How is more important than where you worship.
Seventy percent of Israel’s religious holidays were celebrations (Leviticus 23).
Worship includes both joyful celebration and solemn reflection.1
Is your worship tipped more toward celebration or reflection? How can you improve the balance? Read 1 Thessalonians 5.