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PreparedTrue Worship
by J. Ross Greer of The Place of Grace Ministries (about the ministry)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from J. Ross Greer, be sure to subscribe to his daily e-mail list A Word For The Church.]
1Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." 3So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you." 6Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.
There is a belief among certain Christians that to plan a worship service or message is, somehow, unspiritual. They believe that one must rely on the Holy Spirit to direct them at the very moment to sing or say as He leads them. From this text, we can see that God has a drastically different idea.
Note Abraham's response to God's command to worship by means of a burnt offering. This worship involved a complete commitment and sacrifice. Abraham rose early, prepared his donkey for the trip, gathered his servants and his son (the offering), and then split the wood to be used in the offering. Later in the text, we see that he also had a knife and fire with which to perform what God required. Abraham was fully prepared three days before the time of worship.
Why did not Abraham wait until the trip was completed, until it was time to make the offering, to make the necessary preparation? To have waited would have been disobedience. Abraham knew what God required for worship, and obedience requires action.
We know what God requires of us. God wants us to worship Him alone. We know that we must fully yield and submit ourselves unto Him, for that is the illustration of the burnt offering, and the very heart and essence of worship. We need not wait until Sunday and allow worship to "happen". Daily, we must yield ourselves to the Father. Daily, we acknowledge His majesty and right to reign over our lives. We only experience true corporate worship when we prepare daily with our own private communion with God.
Copyright 2002, The Place of Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About The Place of Grace Ministries: In 1992, God interrupted the well-organized life of J. Ross Greer through a study called "Experiencing God". This encounter birthed a passionate vision for local churches that has become The Place of Grace Ministries. Through teaching, music, and writing, we call believers to return to the basic principles of God's Word and participate in the work of God. For questions or scheduling information, please contact us at: theplaceofgrace@att.net Or visit our web site at: http://home.att.net/~theplaceofgrace/theplaceofgrace.html |
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