"Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, 'The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.'" (Acts 14:11)
This is exactly what happened in the Appearing of Jesus, "....God[ has] come down to us in the likeness of men." The Lycaonians did not know what they were saying, but they were expressing the deep longing and question of every human being, i.e., "If God exists, why doesn't He show Himself?" He did. From Adam onwards, no matter how evil, how reprobate, deep in the soul of men there has been a longing for "Paradise Lost," to be "Paradise Regained." But it just will not, cannot be found apart from Jesus Christ.
If the Name of Jesus is not preeminent in Church gatherings, if the Name of Jesus is not preeminent in preaching and teaching, in testimonies, in "outreach," missions, etc., then the perception of the world around us could be the same as the Lycaonians, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men." You see, Jesus had just healed a man through Paul, and then, as now, an unregenerate person's first response is to worship the bringer of the "miracle," the blessing, the overwhelming good feeling, the help which one could hitherto not find. As Paul with the Lycaonians, clarity is so too needed today. If people come into our meetings and are "blessed," yet the Name of Jesus is lacking in the music, the preaching, the testimonies, then they too will respond in the spirit of our text. What other option do they have?!? And not only so, but even "believers" can all too easily take their eyes off Jesus, if everything/one but Jesus is constantly held before them.
Now, no one in their "right mind" would want this, yet when we speak of "God," or "the Lord," or "You," or "He," without the Name of Jesus preeminent, if something is perceived to be a "blessing," if someone "really enjoyed the service," and that someone knows not the Living Triune God, then the only ones to praise are the congregation, the worship team, the pastor. Some think I'm overreacting to trends in Christendom, but worship is not, "the way, the truth, and the life." The way "into His Presence" is not worship, no matter how "great" it may be. The "way into His Presence" is Jesus.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "have come down to us in the likeness of men," Who is Jesus Christ. Our lives, our gatherings and mission should be that of the Apostle Peter to Cornelius, "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--....And He commanded us to preach to the people...that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." So I join the writer of old,
"Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our Blessed Redeemer!
....Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength honor give to His holy Name!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins he suffered, and bled, and died." Amen.
This is exactly what happened in the Appearing of Jesus, "....God[ has] come down to us in the likeness of men." The Lycaonians did not know what they were saying, but they were expressing the deep longing and question of every human being, i.e., "If God exists, why doesn't He show Himself?" He did. From Adam onwards, no matter how evil, how reprobate, deep in the soul of men there has been a longing for "Paradise Lost," to be "Paradise Regained." But it just will not, cannot be found apart from Jesus Christ.
If the Name of Jesus is not preeminent in Church gatherings, if the Name of Jesus is not preeminent in preaching and teaching, in testimonies, in "outreach," missions, etc., then the perception of the world around us could be the same as the Lycaonians, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men." You see, Jesus had just healed a man through Paul, and then, as now, an unregenerate person's first response is to worship the bringer of the "miracle," the blessing, the overwhelming good feeling, the help which one could hitherto not find. As Paul with the Lycaonians, clarity is so too needed today. If people come into our meetings and are "blessed," yet the Name of Jesus is lacking in the music, the preaching, the testimonies, then they too will respond in the spirit of our text. What other option do they have?!? And not only so, but even "believers" can all too easily take their eyes off Jesus, if everything/one but Jesus is constantly held before them.
Now, no one in their "right mind" would want this, yet when we speak of "God," or "the Lord," or "You," or "He," without the Name of Jesus preeminent, if something is perceived to be a "blessing," if someone "really enjoyed the service," and that someone knows not the Living Triune God, then the only ones to praise are the congregation, the worship team, the pastor. Some think I'm overreacting to trends in Christendom, but worship is not, "the way, the truth, and the life." The way "into His Presence" is not worship, no matter how "great" it may be. The "way into His Presence" is Jesus.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "have come down to us in the likeness of men," Who is Jesus Christ. Our lives, our gatherings and mission should be that of the Apostle Peter to Cornelius, "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--....And He commanded us to preach to the people...that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." So I join the writer of old,
"Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our Blessed Redeemer!
....Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength honor give to His holy Name!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins he suffered, and bled, and died." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
