Dr Atef 2005

Hebrews 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will

inherit salvation?

Summary so far…1. The need of the church to enter into a new

depth 2. We need to learn the different ways of

worship that the Early Fathers used so that we will enter into these depths that we need.

3. Two types of worship (using psalms, and with unveiled face)

4. Intro to worship using the Book of Psalms, & Agpia

Worship & its fruits – especially that which God wants this group to consider

• Worship = all aspects of the life of prayer (supplication; intercession; praise)

• Characteristics include1. Ministering to God2. Sanctifying life & Formation of Christ in us3. Divine protection & establishing spiritual

walls4. Release of the prophetic

1. Ministering to God

Hebrews 1:14”ministering” = liturgea & “serve” (some translations minister) = diakoniaLiturgea = a kind of worship that is repeated exactly as it is (viz liturgy) – used regarding angels ministering to God eg in Revelation same phrases repeat (Holy Holy Holy) – NB in middle ages meanings changed so we are going for original.Diakonia – unrepeated ministry – always inspired/new – angels serving people

More about Liturgea• God searching for undivided heart filled with

purity & love – doesn’t mind re words as long as heart not stained by sin

• Eg of poor illiterate person in 4th Century who only knew Lord’s prayer – monks tried to teach him more words – then monk full of HS found he was crossing river on cloak so clearly he had a very pure heart & full of HS & living in the realm of miraculous so monk said “you don’t need more words!” (viz 1 Sam 16:7 & Matthew 5:8)

How to minister to God in our Worship?

• God wants His children to minister to Him in the heavens (our prime call & our privilege –different from daily worship)

• Ministry and professional work done in strength of this as created for God’s glory & pleasure Isaiah 43:7&21; Rev 4:11; - because God is a giver & wants us to partake in His love

• Prov 8:30b prophetic words for Christ representing us & only possible as we minister in the heavens

Priests in Christ• OT priest lit lights & made offerings to God –

then other ministry to the people – we as priests -> the Holy of Holies to put on the lights on for the world.

• 2 Cor 4:4 – evil one puts darkness on people’s minds -> gospel rejected Eph 6:12

• As evangelists seek to wage war in heavenlies -> ministry effective - they need discernment to know nature of powers against them. A true Worshipper will destroy darkness ->veils fall

From John 1:5 • light overcoming darkness is authority given to

any worshipper & value of ministering to God• Continuity & regularity & pure heart of prime

importance (OT priest must not let fire out)• By contrast Diakonia is changeable and

adaptable to the individual – angels do this & we find this in our engaging with people.

• However our ability to meet their true need is from our Liturgea ministry to God ->absolute obedience & understanding God’s heart & mind

Sharing God’s Heart & Mind • In Acts angels frequently -> apostles and

ministers with messages from God • Latterly angelic interventions infrequent –

God doesn’t want this but people unprepared as ministry of liturgea missing

• Ministry of Liturgea continuously prepares people mentally & spiritually -> obedience & understanding God’s heart & it overflows in them

The Fall• Affected mind, spirit, soul etc (Isaiah 55:9, &

Romans 11:33)• Gap closes via liturgea -> can understand

angels• Eg Abraham understood much better than

Lot – more of a distance with Lot• Eg Acts 13:1–3 (they ministered to the Lord)• Important significance in End times• Holy Spirit teaches each their own liturgea

Regularity of LiturgeaWord in Greek meaning to continue regularly with no interruption is in these versesActs 2:42&6:4Romans 12:12Eph 6:18Col 4:2

1 Thess 3:101 Tim 5:5

Experience of worshipper following regularity is that HS teaches own LiturgeaAlso finds a place reserved in heaven which calls him if he misses a worship time (spiritual experience which happens)

Priestly responsibility• Priesthood has privileges & responsibilities• Jesus – had Messianic responsibility and then

given Messianic privileges after emptying himself

• Eph 1:3 – our privileges in Christ – these are like mystical seeds needing to be opened -> grace released & we enter into rest in Christ.

• Heart of Christ in pain as our seeds/jewels hidden. HS wants to adorn us & knows how to

Chain becoming a crown• Song of Songs 1:9 & 11 – Arabic, close to

Hebrew – chains of gold changed to have appearance of a crown

• Only HS can change chains to be a crown – ornated w. studs of silver

• Crowns to put at Christ’s feet in Revelation – embarrassing if only ideas & fears to bring!

Ministry of Liturgea in the Heavens• Corrects the mind and cleanses• Takes away the thoughts of the world and

it’s concerns • Prepares the mind to receive the Bridal

crown that we will present to Christ• Carries responsibility• Subject of book of Hebrews & mystery

behind worship @ Wadi Natroum which led to many miracles

• This changes the shape of Heaven & Earth so very important – locked up @ present and has to be released - unlocked in practice via Liturgea

• When we take our place – serving with the High Priest of Heaven - He begins to share what is in His heart & mind

Ministry of Liturgea in the HeavensMinistry of Liturgea in the Heavens

• Can’t claim that this is happening lightly as need take our place & stand in the Heavenly place in the Spirit for it to happen, & we take our places when priesthood is revealed in us

• Jesus “You are far far away on earth, but when I made the heavens I made a place for you there – you are not in it! Need to take this place now not after death, by attending to the ministry of the liturgea”

Ministry of Liturgea in the Heavens

Concluding stories - Shenouda• Head of a community of solitary people • Special gift – spiritual eyes enabling him to

see what was happening in whole world• Spent whole night praying agpia – in

morning raised hands in intercession – HS showed him events which he prayed for – very clear fruits.

• Although solitary, he journeyed about when needed – had freedom in the Spirit

Shenouda (cont)

• Aware of his responsibility to uphold truth in the area (church = pillar of truth) -> local farmers went to him when injustice done and he had an authority when he challenged people – feared no-one& universally respected

• Heresy happened & he travelled to place of conference & confronted heretic – discerned dared to declare spirit of blasphemy over him and rebuke it.

John the short• Prayed & worshipped liturgea long hours• Pious rich family visited his monastary (in

those days to bring gifts & ask for prayer (no walls round monastries as wanted not to constrict HS & liked to walk in the desert – carried by Spirit in different ways)

• Only daughter – after parent’s death she became a prostitute – news came to him.

• Went to girls house – asked brothers/disciples to stand in worship at his back

• Began to weep by the girl – “I see the devil & impurity around you and you are the daughter of pious people. Tears because his heart was soft.

John the short

• Ministry very few words. Girl frightened & repented with tears– asked for help to leave that place as wanted to repent thoroughly.

• On the way to convent she needed rest – she had gone to heaven – He asked re her eternity & voice “she was accepted/cleansed completely from the minute she began to repent”

John the short

• Don’t always need to die!• However very few words needed in those circs• Many of people who repented wanted to be

worshippers• Because Spirit who released them was the

spirit of worship• This is the church of Christ – gates of Hades

cant stand before her & captives released• Where are we re this?

John the short

• EF learned the meaning of ministering to God and of doing ministry of liturgy before Him like the angels

• Main difference between their worship and ours today

• Result – the church has lost important part of it’s spiritual heritage -> is weak & paralysed

• Power of prayer from liturgea cant be expressed in term s of power & authority

Conclusions

Practical suggestions – (re busy lives)

• Set apart 2 hours in an evening once a week to go before the Lord

• Best to take all prayer tools – book of praise – book of prayer – phrases in our notebook/journal

• Romans 8:26 – start to call on HS to help you learn the liturgea.

• Start to do different things – at the beginning wont have clear leading but don’t give up

• Persevere – even if hard to do 2 hours & have finished everything in 1 hour.

• HS will see I insist in being with Him – He will draw near & teach me – then He will begin to show me my liturgea

• I will love it and practice it every day (not able to wait a week!)

• Pressured time will be sufficient – don’t know how• Then will have taken my place as a priest

practically.

Practical suggestions – (re busy lives)