COMING IN TO COMING IN TO WORSHIP, GOING OUT WORSHIP, GOING OUT
TO SERVETO SERVE
Christianity Made SimpleChristianity Made SimpleDelivered at Tarlac City Delivered at Tarlac City
Church of ChristChurch of ChristDecember 12, 2010December 12, 2010
CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION THAT IMITATES A MODEL THAT IMITATES A MODEL
We imitate those who imitated We imitate those who imitated others before them, others before them,
who also imitated others before who also imitated others before them, them,
and so on and so forth.and so on and so forth.
1 PETER 2:211 PETER 2:21
““For hereunto were ye called: For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps.”ye should follow his steps.”
““FOR EVEN HEREUNTO YOU FOR EVEN HEREUNTO YOU WERE CALLED”WERE CALLED”
Our calling is a heavenly one.Our calling is a heavenly one.We receive such a calling in order We receive such a calling in order
that we might evince the spirit of that we might evince the spirit of Christ in our daily living.Christ in our daily living.
““BECAUSE CHRIST ALSO BECAUSE CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED FOR YOU”SUFFERED FOR YOU”
The object of the admonition is to The object of the admonition is to hold up the example of Jesus to those hold up the example of Jesus to those who were called to suffer.who were called to suffer.
It is to say to them that they should It is to say to them that they should bear their trials in the same spirit bear their trials in the same spirit that Christ had shown when He that Christ had shown when He underwent suffering.underwent suffering.
““LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE”LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE” The word rendered The word rendered exampleexample
(υπογραμμον, hupogrammon)(υπογραμμον, hupogrammon) means means properly a “writing copy,” such as is properly a “writing copy,” such as is set for the children.set for the children.
It also means an outline or sketch for It also means an outline or sketch for a painter to fill up.a painter to fill up.
But generally, it means an example, or But generally, it means an example, or a pattern for imitation.a pattern for imitation.
““THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW HIS THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS”STEPS”
The meaning is: that we should follow him, The meaning is: that we should follow him, as if we are trodding, walking exactly as if we are trodding, walking exactly along behind him, and that we should along behind him, and that we should place our feet precisely where his feet had place our feet precisely where his feet had been. been.
It means that there should be the closest It means that there should be the closest imitation of Christ’s life, thoughts and imitation of Christ’s life, thoughts and actions.actions.
Thus, to be a Christian is to Thus, to be a Christian is to be Christ-likebe Christ-like
We are to copy:We are to copy:the right attitudes the right attitudes the right speechthe right speechthe right doctrinethe right doctrinethe right thoughtsthe right thoughts
1 Corinthians 4:16-171 Corinthians 4:16-17
WE KNOW HOW PAUL IMITATED WE KNOW HOW PAUL IMITATED JESUS.JESUS.
““I beseech you therefore, be ye I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me. 17 For this cause have imitators of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.”teach everywhere in every church.”
““I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BE YE I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BE YE IMITATORS OF ME”IMITATORS OF ME”
He does not exhort them to become his He does not exhort them to become his followers or partisans of men.followers or partisans of men.
He had spoken of himself as being He had spoken of himself as being humble, self-denying, and self-sacrificing humble, self-denying, and self-sacrificing in the cause of Christ.in the cause of Christ.
He therefore beseeches them to follow his He therefore beseeches them to follow his example in being humble, self-denying, example in being humble, self-denying, and self-sacrificing. and self-sacrificing.
““Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1) Cor. 11:1)
““For this cause have I sent unto For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord”and faithful child in the Lord”
Timothy being a true Christian and a Timothy being a true Christian and a faithful servant of Christ; and who is, faithful servant of Christ; and who is, therefore, worthy of your confidence. therefore, worthy of your confidence.
““Who shall put you in Who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which remembrance of my ways which are in Christ”are in Christ”
When Paul says “my ways,” he When Paul says “my ways,” he means his doctrine, his teaching, his means his doctrine, his teaching, his mode of life as shown in his Christian mode of life as shown in his Christian life, in his ministry or his conduct as life, in his ministry or his conduct as a follower of the Savior. a follower of the Savior.
““As I teach everywhere in every church.”As I teach everywhere in every church.” This was designed to show them that he taught This was designed to show them that he taught
them no new or peculiar doctrines; he wished them them no new or peculiar doctrines; he wished them simply to conform to the common rules of the simply to conform to the common rules of the churches, and to be like their Christian brethren churches, and to be like their Christian brethren everywhere. everywhere.
The Christian church is founded everywhere on the The Christian church is founded everywhere on the same doctrines; is bound to obey the same laws; same doctrines; is bound to obey the same laws; and is fitted to produce and cherish the same spirit. and is fitted to produce and cherish the same spirit.
The same spirit that was required in Ephesus or The same spirit that was required in Ephesus or Antioch, was required at Corinth; the same spirit Antioch, was required at Corinth; the same spirit that was required at Corinth, at Ephesus, or at that was required at Corinth, at Ephesus, or at Antioch, is required now. Antioch, is required now.
In the assembly, we are taught to imitate In the assembly, we are taught to imitate our models. We are taught in order to be our models. We are taught in order to be fully edified, built up, made strong, made fully edified, built up, made strong, made strong to be able to stand, stand in order to strong to be able to stand, stand in order to resist the wiles of the devil.resist the wiles of the devil.
It is also in this assembly that we gather to It is also in this assembly that we gather to express our devotion to the God of all grace express our devotion to the God of all grace who made it possible for us to be what we who made it possible for us to be what we are today: A group of people who have been are today: A group of people who have been saved from sins by the blood of Jesus.saved from sins by the blood of Jesus.
In simple terms, Christianity In simple terms, Christianity is is
THE COMING OF CHRISTIANS THE COMING OF CHRISTIANS TOGETHER TO WORSHIP.TOGETHER TO WORSHIP.
THE GOING OUT OF CHRISTIANS THE GOING OUT OF CHRISTIANS TO SERVE.TO SERVE.
COME IN TO WORSHIPCOME IN TO WORSHIP
Worship correlates its actions Worship correlates its actions with the nature of the One being with the nature of the One being worshipped.worshipped.
Worship carries with it the idea Worship carries with it the idea of submission to the will of the of submission to the will of the One being worshipped.One being worshipped.
Worship carries with it the idea Worship carries with it the idea of giving all of what we are and of giving all of what we are and what we have for the benefit of what we have for the benefit of the One being worshipped.the One being worshipped.
22 You worship what you do not 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the know, for salvation is from the Jews. Jews.
The Jews were the people who came into being The Jews were the people who came into being because of God. When God designed them as a nation, because of God. When God designed them as a nation, they were placed in a geographical location whose they were placed in a geographical location whose highways and byways became the downspout of the highways and byways became the downspout of the commerce. It was from them that the truth of salvation commerce. It was from them that the truth of salvation first came.first came.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 the Father seeks to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." him must worship in spirit and truth."
God has always been in the beginning, but for so many God has always been in the beginning, but for so many times the people who claim to be believers of Him never times the people who claim to be believers of Him never worship Him truly. Jesus came to initiate that true worship Him truly. Jesus came to initiate that true system of worship. It is a worship that is done in spirit system of worship. It is a worship that is done in spirit and in truth.and in truth.
Worship has a schedule and it is Worship has a schedule and it is “now.”“now.”
Worship is not confined to any Worship is not confined to any famous place.famous place.
Worship is not confined to any Worship is not confined to any temple or church building (Acts temple or church building (Acts 17:24).17:24).
The Jews had knowledge of the The Jews had knowledge of the God they worshipped.God they worshipped.
Salvation, with its first system of Salvation, with its first system of sacrifices based on a divine sacrifices based on a divine revelation, first started with the revelation, first started with the Jews.Jews.
Jesus our God became a Jew.Jesus our God became a Jew.Abraham the father of faith Abraham the father of faith
became the ancestor of the Jews.became the ancestor of the Jews.
The twelve apostles who were the The twelve apostles who were the foundations of the true church were foundations of the true church were Jews. 39 of those writers of the Bible Jews. 39 of those writers of the Bible were Jews; only one was a Gentile. were Jews; only one was a Gentile.
The Koran was written by an Arab; The Koran was written by an Arab; the Book of Mormon by an American. the Book of Mormon by an American. The Koran first came to be written in The Koran first came to be written in 800 AD; the Book of Mormon in 1830 800 AD; the Book of Mormon in 1830 AD. These were too late to become AD. These were too late to become the Word of God!the Word of God!
The Old Testament was much The Old Testament was much older: 1500 BC – 450 BC.older: 1500 BC – 450 BC.
The New Testament: 45 AD – 96 The New Testament: 45 AD – 96 ADAD
The Bible is much superior to any The Bible is much superior to any book!book!
Worship- Gr. PROSKUNEO – to Worship- Gr. PROSKUNEO – to bend the knee.bend the knee.
In worship, we are always lower In worship, we are always lower than God, and God is always than God, and God is always higher than us.higher than us.
The New Testament dispenses The New Testament dispenses knowledge about what knowledge about what constitutes true worship.constitutes true worship.
True worship is in spirit and in True worship is in spirit and in truth.truth.
Father seeks such worship.Father seeks such worship.
True worship should relate with True worship should relate with the nature of the one being the nature of the one being worshipped! God is Spirit.worshipped! God is Spirit.
The Bible tells us God the Father The Bible tells us God the Father is always Spirit and He has not is always Spirit and He has not changed!changed!
Romans 1:21-22Romans 1:21-22
““Because that, knowing God, they Because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened; professing themselves was darkened; professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” to be wise, they became fools.”
Man has changed the way God is Man has changed the way God is being worshipped! They did not being worshipped! They did not glorify Him as God nor were they glorify Him as God nor were they thankful to Him. False worship results thankful to Him. False worship results to human degradation.to human degradation.
It is great wisdom when the object It is great wisdom when the object of our worship who is God became of our worship who is God became a human being in order to make us a human being in order to make us understand how He cares for us.understand how He cares for us.
But it is great foolishness, and a But it is great foolishness, and a great misunderstanding, when one great misunderstanding, when one human being becomes the object human being becomes the object of our worship. of our worship.
Romans 1:23Romans 1:23
““And changed the glory of the And changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.”creeping things.”
Man at first began worshipping two-Man at first began worshipping two-legged creatures that looked like him.legged creatures that looked like him.
Then he worshipped creatures with Then he worshipped creatures with two wings and two legs.two wings and two legs.
Then he worshipped creatures that Then he worshipped creatures that walked on fours.walked on fours.
Then he worshipped creatures Then he worshipped creatures that crawled.that crawled.
True worship is supposed to be True worship is supposed to be uplifting. uplifting.
Wrong worship degenerates and Wrong worship degenerates and abuses human dignity.abuses human dignity.
True worship should relate with True worship should relate with the nature of the one being the nature of the one being worshipped!worshipped!
Worship is not by sight but by Worship is not by sight but by faith!faith!
True worship should relate with True worship should relate with the dictates of the One being the dictates of the One being worshipped! worshipped!
Worship conduct should be Worship conduct should be based on what the truth of the based on what the truth of the Word says (cf. John 17:17).Word says (cf. John 17:17).
Worship carries with it the idea of Worship carries with it the idea of submission to the will of the One being submission to the will of the One being
worshippedworshipped That is the natural meaning of the That is the natural meaning of the
verb PROSKUNEO. In worship we admit verb PROSKUNEO. In worship we admit our sinfulness and inability to atone our sinfulness and inability to atone for our sins. We need God’s grace!for our sins. We need God’s grace!
The idea of salvation by grace should The idea of salvation by grace should have a part in our thoughts as we have a part in our thoughts as we worship the Grace-Giver.worship the Grace-Giver.
It is not true as some are wont to It is not true as some are wont to believe that when we say we are saved believe that when we say we are saved by grace, grace becomes our savior.by grace, grace becomes our savior.
EPHESIANS 2:8EPHESIANS 2:8
For by grace have ye been saved For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;yourselves, it is the gift of God;
““By grace” is dative instrumental. It By grace” is dative instrumental. It simply means grace is the instrument simply means grace is the instrument in saving, not the savior itself.in saving, not the savior itself.
Note the passive construction. Greek Note the passive construction. Greek grammar calls it divine passive; grammar calls it divine passive; meaning the unmentioned subject or meaning the unmentioned subject or doer of the action of saving is God doer of the action of saving is God Himself. It does not say: Because grace Himself. It does not say: Because grace saves you through faith.saves you through faith.
EPHESIANS 2:9EPHESIANS 2:9
““Not of works, that no man Not of works, that no man should glory.”should glory.”
We can’t go to heaven by We can’t go to heaven by praying, burning candles, giving praying, burning candles, giving alms, or by giving our bodies to alms, or by giving our bodies to be crucified.be crucified.
If we could go to heaven by If we could go to heaven by doing these works of merits, doing these works of merits, then Christ did not need to die then Christ did not need to die on the cross!on the cross!
ROMANS 6:23ROMANS 6:23
““For the wages of sin is death; For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Because we are sinners we Because we are sinners we deserve to die. We cannot save deserve to die. We cannot save ourselves from our sins.ourselves from our sins.
But Christ paid for our sins by But Christ paid for our sins by dying on the tree. Since we are dying on the tree. Since we are dead in our sins, He quickens us, dead in our sins, He quickens us, giving us eternal life.giving us eternal life.
WORSHIP TODAY -- GIVING OUR WORSHIP TODAY -- GIVING OUR BODIES AS LIVING SACRIFICESBODIES AS LIVING SACRIFICES
ROMANS 12:1.ROMANS 12:1. I beseech you therefore, I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual God, which is your spiritual service. service.
ROMANS 12:2.ROMANS 12:2.And be not fashioned according And be not fashioned according
to this world: but be ye to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.and perfect will of God.
We bring ourselves here. Bodily. We bring ourselves here. Bodily. No proxy.No proxy.
We sing praises to our King. We We sing praises to our King. We are not singing for others but for are not singing for others but for Him.Him.
We come to build up others by We come to build up others by our teaching, by our talent to our teaching, by our talent to counsel, by our helping to lift up counsel, by our helping to lift up the others.the others.
We give of our means. God We give of our means. God does not need that money, does not need that money, but He needs us to share that but He needs us to share that wealth with the church, His wealth with the church, His only agency to do good and only agency to do good and proclaim His goodness in the proclaim His goodness in the worldworld
GO OUT TO SERVEGO OUT TO SERVE
We are the body of Christ.We are the body of Christ.We are the feet that untiringly go We are the feet that untiringly go
out and find the lost in the out and find the lost in the highways and byways of the world.highways and byways of the world.
We are the hands that untiringly We are the hands that untiringly reach to meet the needs of the reach to meet the needs of the fallen, the downtrodden, the fallen, the downtrodden, the needy, the ones who have not been needy, the ones who have not been served, the forlorn, the lost.served, the forlorn, the lost.
We are the lips that keeps on We are the lips that keeps on praising Him.praising Him.
We are the mouth that keeps on We are the mouth that keeps on counseling others.counseling others.
We are the brothers and sisters We are the brothers and sisters that seek to help others and that seek to help others and suggest that they try putting suggest that they try putting down their burdens at His feet, down their burdens at His feet, to try Him for once if they have to try Him for once if they have not done so.not done so.
We serve by giving a glass of We serve by giving a glass of water, a slice of our bread, a water, a slice of our bread, a coin to satisfy a minor need.coin to satisfy a minor need.
We serve by helping the suicidal We serve by helping the suicidal find the One who gave life to all, find the One who gave life to all, the One who put a high value in the One who put a high value in so insignificant a creature as so insignificant a creature as human beings.human beings.
Do you know the value of a mere Do you know the value of a mere human being in the human being in the
marketplace?marketplace? We have body fats enough to make a bar of We have body fats enough to make a bar of
soap.soap. We have enough lead to make just one We have enough lead to make just one
bullet.bullet. We have enough sugar to sweeten just one We have enough sugar to sweeten just one
cup of coffee.cup of coffee. We have enough phosphorous to make just We have enough phosphorous to make just
a box of matchsticks.a box of matchsticks. All the rest of us is just water. Actually, ¾ All the rest of us is just water. Actually, ¾
of us is water. of us is water. If we get killed on the highway, we are just If we get killed on the highway, we are just
worth a little over P12,000.worth a little over P12,000.
Jesus came to change us and to Jesus came to change us and to improve our worth.improve our worth.
We have become so valuable because We have become so valuable because of One so valuable who died for us. of One so valuable who died for us. Jesus was the one who gave value to Jesus was the one who gave value to us.us.
This just tells us that the price of This just tells us that the price of everything is based on how much we everything is based on how much we value the thing. The cost of real value the thing. The cost of real estate in Manila runs by the millions. estate in Manila runs by the millions. In the mountains of Cebu, a hectare In the mountains of Cebu, a hectare of land may cost just P2,000.of land may cost just P2,000.
So what is the essence of So what is the essence of Christianity?Christianity?
Loving others as Jesus loves us. Loving others as Jesus loves us. Letting our light shine in world. Letting our light shine in world. Becoming the salt of influence on Becoming the salt of influence on
others. others. Preparing for heaven. Preparing for heaven. Waiting for Jesus.Waiting for Jesus.
Hear the story of J. M. McCaleb, Hear the story of J. M. McCaleb, our first missionary to an Asian our first missionary to an Asian
country.country.At a time when an American At a time when an American
constable was receiving $60 a constable was receiving $60 a month, and a Filipino constable $6 a month, and a Filipino constable $6 a month, McCaleb just got $60 a year. month, McCaleb just got $60 a year.
He supported himself by teaching He supported himself by teaching English to Japanese students. English to Japanese students.
Now a work in Japan attests to the Now a work in Japan attests to the lasting effect of McCaleb’s early lasting effect of McCaleb’s early work.work.
Hear the story of George Hear the story of George Benson, one of our early Benson, one of our early missionaries to China.missionaries to China.
One American brother visited the One American brother visited the Philippines and saw that the churches of Philippines and saw that the churches of Christ did not have any active mission work. Christ did not have any active mission work. His name is George.His name is George.
He convinced another George, named He convinced another George, named George Benson, who was doing missions in George Benson, who was doing missions in China to move to the Philippines China to move to the Philippines temporarily and supported him to preach. temporarily and supported him to preach.
George Benson worked for four months in George Benson worked for four months in Mindoro island and founded 4 Mindoro island and founded 4 congregations, two of whom still remained.congregations, two of whom still remained.
When George Benson moved to When George Benson moved to US mainland, he began a college US mainland, he began a college in some remote place. The work in some remote place. The work grew too and became what we grew too and became what we now know as Harding University.now know as Harding University.
The essence of Christianity is its The essence of Christianity is its ability to keep on. Being devoted ability to keep on. Being devoted to its God and serving its people.to its God and serving its people.
Hear the story of George Hear the story of George Pepperdine, our first great Pepperdine, our first great
supporter of the Lord’s work.supporter of the Lord’s work. He supported preachers and He supported preachers and
churches, built church buildings and churches, built church buildings and built lives, and encouraged missions built lives, and encouraged missions wherever they may be. It was he who wherever they may be. It was he who convinced George Benson to do convinced George Benson to do missions on Mindoro island.missions on Mindoro island.
This great man, who was rich in This great man, who was rich in world’s goods and in good works, also world’s goods and in good works, also founded a college, now known as founded a college, now known as Pepperdine University.Pepperdine University.
Hear the story of brother Daniel Hear the story of brother Daniel of Indiaof India
He is a great supporter of the He is a great supporter of the Lord’s work in Kalookan CityLord’s work in Kalookan City
The church of Kalookan is so The church of Kalookan is so fortunate to have brother Daniel, fortunate to have brother Daniel, who gave them a piece of land who gave them a piece of land and built them a nice 4-storey and built them a nice 4-storey church building!church building!
Hear the story of the church in Hear the story of the church in Madison, TN.Madison, TN.
They had a great preacher, not They had a great preacher, not handsome, whose ways and dressing handsome, whose ways and dressing were quite unconventional–red suits were quite unconventional–red suits with white shoes to boot. But his with white shoes to boot. But his unconventionalities, his down-to-earth unconventionalities, his down-to-earth style of preaching and illustrations---style of preaching and illustrations---like picking up a little black girl and like picking up a little black girl and putting her on the pulpit to picture to putting her on the pulpit to picture to them God’s great love for the them God’s great love for the downtrodden, the outcast, the downtrodden, the outcast, the humbled, the humiliated, those who humbled, the humiliated, those who had less---had attracted many. had less---had attracted many.
At one time this church had a At one time this church had a membership of seven membership of seven thousand— Hispanic, Asians, thousand— Hispanic, Asians, Caucasians, black, brown, Caucasians, black, brown, yellow, white, men and yellow, white, men and women from the high and women from the high and mighty to the low and the mighty to the low and the humble.humble.
It was a church that was into It was a church that was into something more noble and something more noble and sublime, where the black, the sublime, where the black, the yellow, the brown and the white yellow, the brown and the white could walk, laugh and eat together could walk, laugh and eat together in the spirit of love and in in the spirit of love and in celebration of the loving kindness celebration of the loving kindness of the great Master of the universe of the great Master of the universe who died for all. It was a church who died for all. It was a church that provided opportunities for that provided opportunities for growth. growth.
The preacher who told me this The preacher who told me this story grew up in that loving story grew up in that loving church, and loved that church church, and loved that church and that church’s and that church’s unconventional preacher who unconventional preacher who was not handsome.was not handsome.
They say that Christianity is a They say that Christianity is a beggar telling another beggar beggar telling another beggar where the bread is.where the bread is.
You have been fed and nurtured You have been fed and nurtured and edified by the Lord in this and edified by the Lord in this place. At one time your life must place. At one time your life must have been in mess, you had lost have been in mess, you had lost your sense of balance and you your sense of balance and you had no directions.had no directions.
But the Lord changed all that. But the Lord changed all that.
Worship God in His true essence, Worship God in His true essence, according to the truth that He has according to the truth that He has revealed in His Word.revealed in His Word.
Then serve Him in every highway and Then serve Him in every highway and highway, in every nook and cranny, in highway, in every nook and cranny, in every corner of the world.every corner of the world.
Go tell another beggar where the true Go tell another beggar where the true bread of life is. bread of life is.
That is what Christianity is all about.That is what Christianity is all about.
THE ENDTHE END
FinisFinis
