by Dave Miller
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God wants to make you into fishers of men. Image-bearing ambassadors were created for one very essential purpose, worship. In the North American context the word worship often evokes thoughts of a worship “experience,” songs of praise, bands, concerts, and events. Occasionally a discussion of “lifestyle” worship joins. Rarely, however, are words like authority, obedience, submission, duty, or work introduced into the conversation.
Jesus said in John 14:12-17:
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask meanything in my name, I will do it.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Obedience is love.
The greatest worship is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. We must obey Jesus with our heart. We must obey Jesus with our soul. We must obey Jesus with our minds. We must obey Jesus with our strength. When one doesn’t fall in line, we don’t stop with the others and wait for one to catch up. We continue in obedience until we can say with King David:
“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (Ps. 119:10).
Peterson wrote:
“Worship is faith acting in adoration and obedience.”
Jesus expects his disciples to follow him:
“Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.”
Jesus expects his disciples to do what he asks:
“If you love me you will keep my commandments.”
Obedience is as much a love response to Jesus as adoration. You and I accept and pursue obedience to Jesus and his commands as an act of worship.
Consider this, if your Monday isn’t filled with obedience to Jesus, it might not be Jesus you worshipped on Sunday. Following Jesus and going to church are not the same thing. The church cannot save you only Jesus can do that. This of course is not to say the church has no place for the follower of Jesus, quite the contrary. But church attendance is not the goal of your salvation. The church is where gospel partners join to see Jesus Christ glorified in all nations. We are responsible to obey Jesus Christ.
Up Next: Partner with the Holy Spirit
Until there's #NoPlaceLeft...
Sentergy: When Jesus, People, Practice and Theology Collide
Chapter 1: The Glory of God
Chapter 2: The Glory of God in Jesus
Chapter 3: The Glory of God in the Gospel
Chapter 4: The Glory of God in Disciple Making
Chapter 5: If You Love Me You Will Obey What I Command
Chapter 6: Monday Morning Disciple Making
Chapter 7: Monday Morning Disciple Making Part 2
Interlude: The Father's Heart
Chapter 8: All Scripture All People All Places by Carter Cox
Conclusion: The Lump In Your Throat