Worship Innovations II By. Rev. Jesse Amiel A. Ramoso

Worship to Jesus in the Old Testament

           Most of us will be surprise this new school of thought that I’m going say, about the idea of "Old Testament people were worshiping Jesus". What? Old Testament people worship Jesus, how  this things happened? 

     From the concept of “Jesus is the Lamb that was slain since the foundation of the World” is the best scripture support that I’m going to build the theology here of worshipping Jesus in the Old and New Testament. I hope I can quote many scholars to support this idea to avoid plagiarisms but as of now this how I understand the scripture. In Revelation 13: 8, John 1:29 and 1 Pet 1:18-20 the Living Word website publish the article titled “The Lamb Slain from thefoundation of the World”  that explain about the Lamb of God and the blood of the lamb in the Old Testament. In this principle Jesus was already being worship and in the representation of the animal sacrifices, they’re hoping that the true Lamb of God to be slain “Jesus” will save them. Therefore, according to Dr. Edilberto Banzuelo of Febias College teaching book of Romans in Makati Gospel Church, explained that the people in the Old Testament were looking forward of what would Jesus literally do on the cross and likewise the people in this generation are looking backward of what Jesus did on the cross for us to be save. Therefore, the style and approaches change but the principle and philosophy of worship is constant. The Bible is consistent about the message of the cross, since the Old Testament up to New Testament, this message of the cross or the blood on the cross or the Lamb that was slain was and is consistent up to this generation.  

         Let us study Bible about the history of somebody who innovate worship. The first case in the Bible regarding innovation of worship was happened to Abel and Cain. I remeber Rev. Norman Holmes of Zion Ministerial Institute Philippines and Brian Bailey of New York ZMI my favorite professors teaches me on this principle titled the "Ways of Cain" and animal/blood sacrifices. Before Cain and Abel, there was no commandment about worship, somewhat worship for them was sounds mysterious to us. But Genesis 4 records that Cain converse with God before and after he killed Abel so therefore, it is important to note that God is not beyond reach before and after they worship. The reason why there was murder in the altar of God because of sin of Cain. He chose deliberately to kill Abel after hearing God’s warning and advises v. 7. Cain’s profession is farming and Abel is Livestock holder. Therefore, the immediate and bias judgment of systems and ways of doing ministries is according to our secular expertise or professions like Cain. However, Abel offers the produce of his talents which is also the right offering but Cain offers according to his insticnt. But only Abel’s offering was accepted/regarded, therefore Cain was furious and murdered his brother. Cain offered the fruits of his labour which were the produce of the ground and Abel offered fattened firstborn animal patterne to what God has done to Aam and Eve for reconciliation and forgiveness. Cain offered to God the produce of the ground which He cursed when his parents (Adam and Eve) fall, therefore God does not regard the offering which is cursed, While Abel offer the right offering Whom God used as a token for the reconciliation for his parents (see the article of the Living word). Genesis 3:21.

            It is natural for us to response and used our logic and approaches to ministry according to our profession or expertise but if this does not being check carefully to Gods will then you will end up murdering pastors or murdering any anointed brothers and sisters in the church. I have seen in my very own eyes Pastors being kicked out by successful businessmen who behave like they owned the church and the church end up like just an ordinary club house with members enjoying the privileges the church can offer except the presence and power of God. Therefore, to maintain the momentum they will design activities in order to produce false anointing and excitements. Then they call it “seekers sensitive or friendly gospels, Jesus wearing jeans and used ipad to brows facebook looking for those who like His gospel preaching” funny. We will not supposed to encounter this kind of threats in our churches if the power of God is in our churches, because God will do miraculous signs and wonders to each and every person; and that person will really encounter “The true God” in the church not the false hope, false friendship, coffee, tea or bread serve after the worship service. If God is in the church then there will be a real transformation to the members and this transformation creates excitements and it will spread to outside church, the personal encounter with God will push them to share what they received from God during Sunday service. I thank God that in my first time to join a Christian service, which that time I was yet a hardcore/metallic band performer, which my dorm mate was brave enough to bring me to the church in spite of my career. I heard a concrete preaching, it was a Church history talking about Constantine the Great, and it was awkward to me. The topic does not make sense to my current situation even to my current needs but the power of God during the service change me a lot and it was enough to burn my Metallic collections and keep me to attend Sunday service until I became Reverend today. Our job is to please God not people, if we please people we prostrate God then we became powerless.

   to be continued...Attracting People not God 

Source: Living Word Website: http://www.wordlibrary.co.uk/article.php?id=200