Jesus made a tremendous statement In John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Our desire in this article is to paint in your heart and mind a picture of what actually takes place in a worship service.

The Bible is explicit in its teaching of unity of the spirit. 1Cor. 6:17, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” Psalm 133:1-3, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;” David here paints a beautiful picture of unity; that same anointing on the head ran down to the whole body. UNITY, ANOINTING, AND WORSHIP, God’s plan for the believer! In Matt. 26:7, we have a vivid example, “There came unto him- a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.” Notice the ointment was costly. The disciples became angry, thinking this was a great waste, and should be sold and given to the poor. Yet this was, to Mary, an act of extravagant love and worship. The same thing is happening today. The world doesn’t understand worship; to them it is of no value. Why should we lift our hands and worship the Lord? Why should we waste all that valuable time? Because, as Mary, our lives are greatly enriched in this seemingly insignificant and simple act that we do.

John 17:11, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” If you will notice, Jesus prayed that they may be one in a very specific way: the relationship of the Father with the Son and the Son with the Holy Spirit. In other words, He prayed that this same union would be extended to the heart of the believer. John 17: 21, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us,” FOR A SPECIFIC REASON . . .  “the world may know that thou hast sent me.” Numerous books have been written to explain away the Godhead, yet to no avail. He is God the Father, He is God the Son, and He is God the Holy Spirit. They are so closely interwoven that they are inseparable. The prayer that Jesus prayed was directed to the believer. “that they may be one, as we are one.” Notice the scriptural teaching concerning the unity of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit; John 16:14, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” Jesus Christ: John 5:19, “. . . The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. The Father; John 14:8-10, “Phillip saith unto Him, Lord shew us the Father...Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father . . . “He was saying that He was the reflection of the Father. The desire of God is that this reflection will not stop, but shall continue on from the Father, to the Son, to the Holy Spirit and now to the believer. This, in essence, is what worship accomplishes for you and me.

Again, I Corinthians 6:17, “He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit”. This is a diagram of what actually takes place in a worship service; throughout this article we will refer to it.

Line (A) is the natural plane, where the majority of us, “live and move and have our being, in Him”. In our everyday life, work, pleasure, and duties, we come in contact with all the spirits of the world. Unconsciously, we can allow these spirits to defile us and sap our spiritual strength. Worship, line (8), is the vehicle that will transport us from the natural (A) to the heavenlies (C). It carries us into the presence of God and in this position our heart is made one with His heart. Therefore, worship fulfills the prayer that Jesus prayed, “that they may be one, as we are one.” The tragedy is, many never reach this glorious place of unity. The enemy is there doing thing he can to stop us. He knows the moment we worship the Lord, we are carried beyond his reach, out of his dominion. He whispers in our ears a volume of reasons why we shouldn’t worship; weary, sick, discouraged, futile, delay, etc.

Worship is vital to you and me, if we are to fulfill the ministry of Christ. WHY? These that dwell on the natural plane (A), stand completely exhausted, bewildered as to what to do. We have tried everything, but you see as we stay in the natural, we have no contact with the heavenly realm. We, ourselves, must become the source to meet searching humanity. Therefore the flesh stands in utter failure to meet the needs of the hour. What will It take? There must be an active fellowship, which is worship, between us and God. Psalms 46:4-5, “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

Last summer, as we were traveling through the mountains of Colorado, I observed an interesting display of God’s wisdom. On the mountain peaks the snow melts very slowly. Through the summer, it gradually feeds the life giving streams twisting their way to the valley below. The Lord spoke to me, and likened this to worship. Worship carries you and me to the heavenly peaks and fills us with living water to minister to the dry and thirsty land we live in.

On the flat plains of Colorado I noticed great reservoirs of water. To me, these represented God, our Heavenly Reservoir. Every thing we have need of is in Him, If It is life, healing, peace, joy, strength, help of any kind, it’s in that reservoir! The river of God, that Ezekiel saw flowing out from under the altar, is flowing today to bring healing to the nations. David, in Psalms 46, differentiates between the river and the streams.

“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.” We have a river, but we also have streamlets from that river. Jesus said, to the woman at the well, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give hint shall be In him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Now, do you see there is more than a touch from God, more than a portion? There is a river of fullness, whatever your need!

We become those streamlets, we are the wells of living water, fed and nourished by fellowship and worship of our Heavenly Father. This is why Jesus said, “The Father seeketh such to worship him.  …they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Those having the perseverance to ascend to their reservoir of God, via worship, will bring back to this sin-sick earth, a taste of that heavenly river, From the reservoir of water, ditches and pipes spread across the land, bringing Irrigation to the dry fields. You see, this is what God is doing today.  He is forming of us, a net work of ditches and pipes, connected to His river and as a result, “the desert shall blossom as a rose.” If the desert is to bring forth today, It Is because of the moving of the Spirit of God, in which we become the channel. John 7:38 “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” - streamlets from the presence of God, from beyond the veil so to speak, to this thirsty and barren land, which so much needs the influence of another world. From this union, via worship, is born a ministry of the Spirit that is vitally needed in these last days. When God becomes the source, and not man, there is a never ending flow of “...the ability which God giveth,,,,” If we don’t have God’s ability flowing, we must draw from human resources, Our Bible training, our college degrees, our natural mind becomes the source, begin and ending with man, We see that via the vehicle of worship the believer can become a river of life, bringing the influence of heaven to this world, a word from God, not man. I will list below, and comment on some of the profitable values of worship. Worship has freely given us that which we have worked so hard in the natural to receive.

1, LOVE ONE ANOTHER

John 1334 “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another,” If we will be honest with God, and ourselves, this commandment has been extremely difficult to obey, simply because the natural man does not love the unlovable. We love those who are loving to us, but what is our reaction to one, even though he be a Christian brother, who is irritable, insulting and perhaps even obnoxious. At our conversion we received a measure of “love one to another”, with the infilling of the Holy Spirit this love was deepened. Yet, many times “His love” is intercepted by our own prejudices. For example, if you are challenged doctrinally, how do you react? Are you tolerant and understanding of the other’s views or are we like the disciples whom Jesus rebuked saying, “Ye know not what manner of spirit you’re of”, This is where guile and pretense have their entrance! We know this love is the scriptural pattern; therefore we labor and strive; actually only playing the part. The Hollywood Talent Scouts should come to the church to find their actors. WORSHIP CAN CHANGE THIS PICTURE! As we yield to Him in extravagant love and complete submission, our perspective is changed. We perceive “the Christ” in each other and although faults and imperfections are there, they are “. . . .Hid with Christ In God....” As long as our vision is horizontally (earthly) inclined, we will see only trouble and heartache. But if we will lift our eyes vertically (“looking unto Jesus”), the whole of our life will be affected.

2. PLACES US IN A PROPER PERSPECTIVE

In Habakkuk, chapters one and two, the prophet gives us a graphic picture of right perspective. In chapter one, he describes the existing chaotic conditions. It was inconceivable that God would permit the Chaldeans to over run His land. Have not we asked the same question; Why, Lord? How Long, Lord? As long as Habakkuk surveyed the problems with natural wisdom, he remained in continuing discouragement. But, in chapter two, he says, ‘I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer…  The watch is the highest point on the wall surrounding the city. In this position, Habakkuk was caught up in the vision of God’s purpose, and he saw as God saw. It is an established fact; the higher you go, the farther you will see, and the greater will be your assurance.”...where there is no vision, the people perish...” As we worship God, we can say, as Habekkuk, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry...but the just shall live by His faith.”

3. UNITY IN THE BODY

Joel 2:7—S “....and thou shall march everyone on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks. Neither shalt one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path....” In prophetic vision, Joel is describing our day. The modern day church is vigorously striving for unity, finding none:. “The wisdom of the hour is to find out which way God is moving and get in step with Him.” True unity will only come through spiritual worship.  Joel was comparing the church to a military formation, the beauty of a great host of men in total harmony. To accomplish this feat, daily discipline and training was required. Each member of this army had committed himself unreservedly to Him who was giving the commands. The life of the whole depended on total cooperation of each individual. I Cor. 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Each member surrenders his privilege of individual recognition to become a living, vital, “supply joint” providing increase and mobility to the “body”.

Each church has endeavored thru programs and man-made projects to make the body one. We know there is power in unity; therefore we have labored at an impossible task for man alone. Just as surely as we would get one member in his place, another breaks rank. Jealousy, envy, bitterness, and strife will infiltrate the ranks, no matter how valiantly we labor. (Isaiah 41:19-20) “I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree and the pine, and the box tree together; that they may see, and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the lord bath done this, and the Holy One of Israel bath created It.” Herein we see the picture of God, accomplishing the impossible. It is difficult enough to get those who believe alike to walk together, Yet God goes a step farther, He does the impossible! Each tree He speaks of is climactic. Each is accustomed to a certain soil, moisture and temperature; yet He makes them grow together and thrive. The miracle of this worship is the same; Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Catholics, every denomination can grow together and thrive in the atmosphere of worship, In worship our eyes are lifted, and elevated to a position where barriers are no longer visible, the wheat becomes taller than the fences. Why? “That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel bath created it.”

4. BRINGS US INTO A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Why do you suppose, when God instructed Samuel to reject Saul and chose David, God said, “the Lord bath sought him a man after his own heart…? “ In the beginning, we were created to have fellowship with our heavenly Father.  Notice David did not ask for material or temporal things, his desire was fellowship and communion with the Lord.  Fellowship is the key link to worship. Examine your own prayer life, what does it consist of? Psa. 141-2 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice”. Many times prayer is distinctly one—sided, but in God’s plan it is only the link to a higher realm of worship. In worship our interests change; for example Mary and Martha in the tenth chapter of Luke. Jesus said, “Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful (worship) and Mary bath chosen that good part’ Mary forgot everything except Jesus and her love for Him; her center had changed. Instead of her life being a vortex, receiving only, she became the giver and ministered to Him, isn’t that what worship is all about? Rev. 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”.

5. PLACES US ON THE OFFENSIVE:

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord”. Psalms 134:2 “… I will lift up my hands in thy name”. (Psalms 63:4) “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” (Psalms 144:1) “He maketh my feet like hind’s feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.” (Psalms 18:33—34)

Recently I heard an account of an experience Almee Semple McPherson bad in her early ministry. One evening the service seemed particularly bound and it seemed her words were having no effect. She prayed, asking the Lord for release in the Spirit. Upon opening her eyes, she saw the whole congregation was surrounded by black figures. The Lord then commanded that she and the people lift their hands and worship God. As they began to praise, the presence of the Lord fell and the host of darkness fled before it.  One characteristic of worship is the lifting up of the hands.  In one aspect it is an act of surrender, on the other it is warring a warfare, Eph. 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. These scriptures correspond to each other, showing us the offensive warfare. Psalms 8 “Out of the mouth of babes and suckllngs hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” When Jesus quotes this passage in Matt. 21:6, he interchanges the word strength to praise.  And what does this praise do? It stills the avenger, puts the enemy to flight. Isa, 28:6, “....for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate”. The bible teaches us that the walls are salvation and the gates are praise. Therefore, spiritual strength belongs to that one who will worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. This is the reason Satan hates worship, it puts him to flight. We assume an offensive position thru worship, actually making war in high places. II Cor, 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” One of Satan’s most effective maneuvers is to attack our thought realm, causing us to imagine all sorts of unrealities. For example, how often have you been tormented by feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or just a vague uneasiness concerning your relationship with God? It would be marvelous if we could “put our mind out of gear,” nothing affecting us, but this is impossible. Therefore, either we fill our minds with God or the enemy invades us with “lying vanities”. Worship becomes the spiritual weapon that pulls down the imaginations and girds up the loins of our mind, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. It is impossible to worship the Lord and remain discouraged!

6. REPRESENTS THE VOICE OF THE LORD:

“. . . worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10) “I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” (Heb. 2:12). “....But we have the mind of Christ.” (I Cor. 2:16).

Let me paint a picture for you of an actual worship service: the “body” coming together with prophecy, spiritual songs and exhortations going forth. Who is speaking? Paul tells us in Heb. 2:12 that it is Jesus! The yielded vessel prophesying or singing becomes the channel for the voice of the Lord. Notice in I Cor. 2:16 it is not “I’ but “we” have the mind of Christ. Each one contributing, bringing to us the full thought of Christ.  As in the beautiful Song of Solomon 2:8 “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.” (Rev. 1:15) “....And His voice as the sound of many waters”. Did not John say “out of your inner most being shall flow rivers of living water”? As each river or voice flows together they become one voice, THE VOICE OF THE LORD.

7. RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH

“But the priests the Levites they shall come near to me to minister unto me “. (Ezek. 44:15) “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” (Ezek. 4:23). Ezekiel is describing the order of the priestly ministry which is a perfect prototype of God’s purpose for His ministry today. First he speaks of the faithfulness of some of the Levites, who were faithful to keep the charge of His sanctuary even when the children of Israel went astray. These, God said, “ shall come near to me, to minister unto me and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood…They shall enter into my sanctuary and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me and they shall keep my charge.”

Notice the order of this worship. First is faithfulness, a daily communion and fellowship with Him becoming intimately acquainted with the Lord.

Second, “ they shall minister unto me”. In the past we have come to God with only selfish interests in mind, to receive for ourselves and have our needs met. But His plan is to worship HIM FIRST! As we are obedient, we become enraptured with the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, our needs become secondary, and being a Father—pleaser takes precedence over everything else.

Thirdly, “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern the unclean and the clean.” Now, who would be more qualified to minister or rightly divide the Word of Truth; one who draws from natural training or ability, or one who has been in the presence of the Lord? Truly, only one who has been in the presence of the Lord would be qualified. If your child were ill would you trust his care to an intern or to a competent, trained physician?

Is not our responsibility as ministers of Christ equally important! Should not our contact with God be fresh and living, the “Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” flowing freely? This will only come as we worship and fellowship Him, allowing our lives to become a channel In which God may move.