What Is Worship? Most people really don’t know!

What Is Worship? Most people really don’t know!   By Kelly Durant 

John 4:19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”²¹ “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth.”²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

 2.   So many cultures worship God in so many different ways! How many of you have ever visited a mosque? Or a Hindu temple? One time I went to a meditation (Hindu) service in college and outside of the room it sounded like a factory with a lot of machinery inside. There was a low, rather loud, humming noise. When I went inside and saw everyone sitting in the lotus position they were calling on god as they are accustomed with a constant repeating of “Ommm”. With more than a hundred people sounding “Ommm” it was strange indeed! 

3.   As Christians we would never worship God in this manner and this way of worship seems very strange and pointless to us. Repeating the same thing over and over wears a hole in the psyche and makes what should be a pleasure, the worship of God, become a torture!  Matt 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

   Despite Jesus words, however, there still exists in worship today, in the majority of Christian churches, a great collection of reading and response liturgy from prayer or hymn books. If done in the right spirit, these types of repetitions can be unifying. Repetition in itself is not bad, after all songs are repetitions, it had just not be in vain.   

   We often think it is easy to spot how we should not worship God but in actuality it is not that simple. If you had grown up in India, and all you ever experienced was the “om” type of humming worship, that would be normal to you! Being able to worship God as we do as Christians is a privilege! All other religions seem to appear as pointless after experiencing the Holy Spirit! Their sacrifices and worship ways lead to acute frustration; Sadly, they are not connected to the source, the unique God of love, & his son Jesus! 

4.   What we should explore is why Christians today have lost their ability to discern what true worship is and what it is not, since the modern Christian culture has rapidly changed its formats of worship while at the same time some have frozen worship into a methodological tradition, limited to an ancient style, one they define as worship.

 To know about how Jesus wanted worship, we must refer back to the verses of John; and first notice that Jesus points out that the Samaritans do not have the correct way of worshipping since God for them it was limited to worshipping at only one certain so-called holy place. The first erroneous idea is that worship is limited to a certain place.

5.   Furthermore, what this means is that all ideas of the worship of God in all cultures upon the arrival of Jesus became invalid, there no longer exists specific holy places or temples on earth where there is more of God’s power or energy. There are no specific formulas or rituals either, and neither Machu Pichu, nor Jerusalem will you get you more of God.  22 “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews”. Jesus also is confirming how the Jews were getting the salvation message through Him and He as well He is confirming the fact that the Samaritans and everyone else can also have it!

  Next Jesus points out in verse: 23 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth.”  Jesus established a new way, just gather anywhere in groups of 2, 3 or more!

 6.  So if Jesus makes it clear that we are to worship “in spirit and in truth” then we should do our homework on what “in spirit and in truth” fully mean, right?

  The word “Spirit” brings with it many connotations each slightly different within each culture. For example, when you say in English that something was spirited, this implies full of action, movement, and passion. I think a majority of us prefer to worship God this way, in action doing something to physically show our passion in the worship, singing, praying, playing the tambourine or maracas, and even dancing.

   All of us are aware that there are many denominations to choose from in our preference of Christian worship. There are many styles of music, many types of meetings, some ultra-formal and serious, some, where anything goes, and some are loud, while others are quiet and calm. Some churches include their leaders to preach and lead, while others don’t allow anyone up front. Programs within the Christian world are very diverse. So how do we know what the best way is? 

7.   Should people of today choose a church to worship in by emotions, by how big it is, by how modern it is, or by how it makes them feel? Impressions and feelings in humans however, are often mis-lead. So many times scandals have happened when people have put their trust in the wrong charismatic pastors, or the wrong denomination or sect, and they have ended up manipulated, fleeced of their possessions, and confused. 

  Just because a church affirms, “Only we have the real truth and the spirit”, does not meant they really do have it! The fruits of the spirit to prove that, but you have to investigate them. So each person must be careful and prayerful to choose to worship only with people that are the close to being “in spirit and in truth”! With false churches the climate is you are to focus worship on their church, doctrine, and notoriety, and the focus is not on God and Jesus, principally.  Have you ever noticed that? These churches make some people feel good in mass, but our feelings often deceive us.

8.   Jesus makes it clear 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Him in Spirit and in truth. To worship means to show worthiness to honor or reverence a supreme power. So how do we do it in spirit? Spirit is (Gk.word: pneuma) or the life force of God, the breath of God, a vapor or burning of His pure and Holy-ness. In spirit would imply being within the nature of the spirit, or essence of God. More properly defined this would mean within His spirit of pure love, since God’s spirit manifests itself to people by tangible expressions of love and he expects us to love in word and in deed as well. Worship today is diverse and so is God’s creation. What many people miss but we get is that worship is shown principally by service to God and others! 

9.  Any spirit of worship expression is valid as long as it is done for the purpose of exalting love to God. It should not be calling attention to yourself for vain glory! We should refrain from criticisms when we observe something new, different, or unfamiliar to us in worship as long as we know the purpose of it is for praising and honoring God. Never should anything be done to show off one’s own talent; all things are for God’s glory!

   Observing the nature of God in the different types of races of people and geography, it is very obvious God is not limited by any rigid unchanging worship demand. Worship in the O.T. included the sacrifice of one’s most prized farm animals. Today it should include not just singing a song or praying, but a life of service in love to others in need. Jesus spent time with His Father, then He went into the towns to heal and teach and do good works. He loved! Worship is a creative expression of love for God and others! 

10.  I personally am very thankful for the Salvation Army’s ample acceptance of diverse forms of worship. In the EBC we experienced sacred dance, responsive readings, incense, and every kind of music you can think of. We were taught to embrace the old and the new and this is not such a hard thing for a young officer to do, but it is a big problem with some. Many Corps people want things done in the same old way, in a rut.

   Speaking of different worship expressions, I have even cried hearing a slow moving worship song sang by a frail Soldier Korean lady and I didn’t even understand a word! It was her love, her sincerity, her dedication that was communicated to me by the spirit. She was not by running all over the stage, not yelling at the top of her voice, but God was there in that frail sweet voice and you knew it! Respect, worship has many forms!

   The sad thing is most people won’t join in the worship if it’s different!  Most people are inflexible and rigid and instead of appreciating and worshipping with something different from their liking, they reject and complain. Criticizing worship means the opposite of worship! Will Jesus bless those who reject joining in? Ask yourself, have I ever complained when I should have been worshipping? Jesus praises were a different style!

11.  But “the spirit” is something that you must bring to the church when we meet and you can bring it only when you have spent time with God worshipping Him already in your private life! You are to come as a candle and as a lit one to share the light!

   Let’s see what the spirit isn’t. Worship, for one, is not the disapproval of your brothers, the pastors, or of the denomination when it is not to your preference. People often make the mistake of exposing their emptiness and predispositions. For example, how many of you have heard someone say, “Oh, I didn’t feel the spirit here today; The spirit’s is not in the Salvation Army church; the pastors don’t have the Holy Ghost power because they don’t yell and make people fall over!” Have you heard comments like these? So, the question is, is the worship of God limited by either your or my feelings, expectations, cultural predispositions, judgments or ideas of what the church is supposed to do? No!

  When I hear people say they cannot feel the spirit, I want to ask them then, what is wrong with you? How can you deny that if 99% seemed to “feel” the spirit just fine the problem then must be with you and not with those around you. Criticism of worship to me shows immaturity, inadaptability, and a person’s dry-ness. Instead of contributing to the spirit, like bringing a happy heart, these kinds of words put the fire out! 

  I think a person would be embarrassed for lacking oil in their lamp thinking it is everyone else that has no oil in theirs. Each one of us must get the spirit oil first. We must pray, read God’s word, and get filled with the oil of the spirit and then bring that here and set others on fire with the oil and passion you share!  When you give of your spirit, then you receive back of God’s spirit, right?  

 12.  We are examining spirit and truth. Let’s look at truth because we do not want to end up false like these people in Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.

   We all know what truth is, it is the evidence and proof positive of what’s real, factual or authentic. The truth is always pure and unadulterated. To worship in truth implies you are worshipping with a pure heart just to exalt God alone. No other motive! 

   Only you and God know the truth for you coming to worship Him in the church. People who worship by appearances do this so their peers will accept them thinking they need to appear religious. Some people worship God in the church because they, in the end, desire favors or benefits from the church. Some try to worship, even though they know in their heart they don’t feel it, hoping it will appease God enough to exempt them from His anger and punishments on them. I don’t know the truth of who is sincere and who is not, but God does. Ask yourself, is my worship done in truth & pureness of heart? 

13.  When we recall the very first worship of God we see the clear picture of one who worshipped in truth, Abel, and one who did not worship in truth, Cain. God accepted the sacrifice of Abel, why? Because it was authentic, and in truth, that Able with love gave to God what sacrifice He desired, a gift with a sincere pure heart full of honor and respect. The truth about Cain is he was giving to God but being false about it. He was worshipping but with an attitude of resentment, only fulfilling a duty. He really didn’t want to worship so he just gave what he wanted to, not what God requested. So when God wanted him to go and come back and try again with his worship & sacrifice, he did not humble and submit himself. Instead he exploded in rage and killed his brother! This still keeps happening in the church; true worshippers catch the rage of the false ones! 

  The danger to all of us is that the false is the aggressive enemy of the truth! Sincere truthful worshipping Christians will always have for their enemies the false Christians that will try to kill them with their hateful words, overtly or covertly. Jesus addressing the hypocrites says this… John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

14. So those in the truth are with God. Truthful ones do not lie, hate, kill, or attack others unjustly. Truth is central to the holiness of God. And everyone hates false-ness, even the false people dislike the other false people! Ever notice that?

   In the end worship amongst Christians can never be put in a box to appease a certain denominational format, formula, or a traditional habitual copy of a centuries old idea. Worship is done best, however, when it includes the basics of prayer, the reading of God’s word, and the singing of praises or hymns. And everyone appreciates special presentations but these require work and practice, which is a sacrifice. When was the last time you sacrificed yourself in preparation of worship and praise?

  How is your worship of God in the end? Are you bringing a joyful spirit full of love to God and others? Are you serving others knowing that God counts that as obedience which is worship as well? And your truthfulness?  The more truth you see about the evil in your own life, the closer you are to God. Truth begins at home. It is that simple! 

  Worship is what our spirits long for, to connect with God, our Father, our Creator whom we know has true pure love for us, so do it real, “in spirit and in truth”!  Let’s pray…

Christmas: The Kings Honor a Baby         Kelly Durant    Re: 12-14-25

Matthew 2:9-11    ⁹ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

2. All of us are people surrounded by individuals who are creatures of habit. It is evident that no nation, race, or people will never drastically change past traditions, most are here to stay (Not good in many regards). As Christians we will always celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth while the people of the world will emphasize celebrating gift-giving materialism. Consumerism has morphed itself into a magical man who gives out endless gifts. Santa Claus is a famous fictional character and is used as a tool to market all kinds of merchandise, right?  

It is true that some Christians do not find that Santa Claus so offensive depending on the context and status in which you interpret him. He is just a fantasy and many children know that by age 5. The actual historical basis of the story of St. Nicolas giving out gifts to the poor children is a wonderful example of how we all should be! But Santa from the North pole dominates over the St. Nicolas story!

All of us here, as multi-millions of people, do gift giving as a tradition! Giving and sharing gifts with one another is rewarding, and especially giving to those in hard times; no one doubts that God blesses those who help the needy! (Matthew 25)

3. Here’s my personal take, what if we really did abide by the list of who is ‘naughty’ and who is ‘nice’ in order to qualify who will get a gift and who will not? I think commerce would come to screeching halt if we abided by that rule! Today some children are terrible and no one, not parents, nor teachers are correcting them appropriately. Only when these ego inflated bullies grow up and end up in jail for disrespecting the wrong person and the law do they start to see the light of right and wrong. (if they ever do!)

I wish we could grade adults on how naughty or nice they were as well. Some of you I have observed (but what I observe does not matter really, it is God that sees everything!) have been very good at loving, helping, and of humbly serving and caring for those in need. We should reward goodness, but the world rewards those following the evil trends Satan’s demons inspires others to do. 

Also, we all have seen others with bad behavior, that when they get their pride just a bit little offended, they start saying all kinds of rude things. Like when you scratch a veneer surface, the cheap wood underneath shows through!

4. But let’s contemplate on making our traditions better: God was the first gift giver! He gave Jesus Christ to the world to be the savior so everyone would repent and radically change and by becoming as He was, humble, loving, and serving, we are granted the heavenly gift of eternal life. Our job is to preach the gospel and thereby share the gift of eternal life to everyone we meet. Jesus=the best gift!

Let’s now jump to the part of the story about the other ones in the record that gave material gifts to Jesus. These are kings honoring Jesus as the King of Kings. There usually are the 3 kings in the manger scenes, but these are the ones giving 3 types of gifts. We conclude there were at least 3 but there actually could have several been more. Who knows, but with all their servants they all may have been totaling in the hundreds. 

I find it fascinating that they were kings in their very distant distinct lands, yet they came to recognize the authority of a baby who would grow up to be a king. Think how much faith, humility, and supernatural confidence this requires to travel 6 months to a year there and back! Trusting in a heavenly sign!

5. Also, consider that if they saw the star stopped over a house, why didn’t other people see it and come as well? Were others just not in tune with the heavenly bodies in space? Or were these men special in their spiritual ability to perceive? 

Here is a real Christmas mystery: How did these KINGS from very different cultures and lands very distant from each other all interpret the same reading of the stars and prophesies of their ancient writings or religions that a KING would be found under the spectacular appearing of strange bright star? 

Kings, as we know from history, never bow to anyone. Everyone in their lands is expected to bow to them and give them gifts and taxes; never was it heard of that the kings would give gifts and that they would bow to another authority, especially kneeling in front of a baby!? They not only kneeled, they worshipped Him! That is honor! They were elated filled with “exceeding joy"! Unprecedented!

6. Showing respect and honor will always imply sharing something of value to prove honor. All religions ask for something; some 10%, or you can give 100%, it all depends on how much you will give up for God! God is fair and blesses back.

What I hate about governments is they ask for a usual 20-30% and if you’re rich they might take up to 90% in taxes! (in socialist Europe & elsewhere) Why do you think the English, as well as others, keep immigrating to the U.S.? They are escaping the heavy burden of their taxes. The burden gets heavier day by day everywhere! Here, sadly, it has gotten very burdensome! You’re taxed for working, spending, saving, & when you die whoever gets you stuff will get taxed on that as well!

Have you ever wondered how each king knew how many provisions they would need to travel 6 months to a year to reach Jesus to give Him a gift? Many people here will give to the Lord a few days of their time, but would you do what they did and spend a big part of your fortune on a trip that would mean camping in extreme heat and extreme cold, crossing deserts, facing thieves, and hiring dozens of crews to help you care for your camels and equipment? The honor of these kings required great sacrifice of goods and time!

We know the kings came from the Orient, but from where precisely is still undefined by historians. Many agreed that amongst these kings were one or more of the Zoroastrian kings, which were in power in Persia at the time of Jesus’ birth. 

The King Vishtapa, was Ciro's father, and he had been convinced of the existence of a 3^rd and final savior that would come in the world who would battle in the end of the world and defeat evil. Zoroaster said that a great savior would arise in the world, and his name would be Soasyant, which means one who will fulfill righteousness! Amazingly this goes with same description of Christ in the bible!

7. Contained within the writings and prophesies of these kings was the word that the savior would be born of virgin, and he would live and then be killed but on the third day he would be resurrected. All of this ancient knowledge the wise kings would have shared and known amongst themselves. What irony that the kings of the world honored him while those of Jewish dissent missed what was happening. 

Notice as well in Matthew Chapter 2 that king Herod asked the Jews, what the prophecy said and where would the king be born and they replied in Bethlehem. The Jews had the book of Isaiah and all ancient prophecies that co-incited to confirm the birth of the righteous Messiah, the Christ, or baby Jesus.

These were legendary writings and they confirmed that Jesus would be born the Messiah, not just for the Jews, but for everyone in the orient and for the rest of the world! What makes me upset is how the people of the world reject truth fulfilled in prophecies which is awe-strikingly supernatural, a sign that God is revealing His power to transcend our understanding! 

8. These kings obviously returned home to honor Jesus by telling everyone about Him! They told of all their adventures, of escaping getting killed by Herod over his jealousy, and of finding Jesus below the star. They were evangelistic prophets but how long did their people keep on believing? 20 years, 100, 300, we don’t know!

The news of baby Jesus fulfilling ancient extrabiblical prophecies did not last very long because pagan worship continued in the orient and centuries later the religion of Moh was crafted and new laws were imposed without the influence of Jesus recognized by these ancient kings. A ‘submissive’ oppression spread not by gaining the awe of people as the fulfillment of prophecies, but by fear! Those in that whole region (about 50 countries) who did not bow to ‘their prophet’ were deposed and genocides took place with several hundred million deaths. 

9. So, from today’s study we conclude that honor to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ must be done in a similar manner as it was done by the kings.  How was that honor shown?

By sacrifice: they traveled far, and they gave gifts to prove their revering honor. 

By worship: they kneeled in front of Jesus and recognized his divine authority.

By being ‘in tune’ with the divine: they acted upon seeing the star as a supernatural sign which confirmed that the king they had expected in ancient writings would appear. They honored him as the righteous savior of the world with great joy! Poor shepherds, wealthy kings, and even angels honored Jesus!

If kings honored Jesus, how much more we should honor him! None of us here today are a king or a queen. One day when we join the heavenly host to honor Jesus, God will know who honored Jesus the most! Heavenly rewards will be for those who honor Him now. Every knee will bow to Him, and the sooner we do that the better as all authority is His over souls in Heaven, and in this world.

“May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,

the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the determination of the magi,

and the peace of the Christ child,

And may the Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.”

Is It Acceptable to Participate in The Festivals of Man?

Is It Acceptable to Participate in The Festivals of Man?  Kelly Durant

 

Luke 7:33-35 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Note: A large populous classifies ‘Christmas’ festivals as pagan, Thanksgiving is controversial for some as well

 

2. I recall when I was a child, being raised in the church, that there were always adult characters that were always somber and serious, and it seems that for them to worship God they had to put on that stiff face of ‘see me here suffering’ for Christ! The subliminal doctrinal communication of many churches for the longest time is church is not a place for worship, pleasure, and enjoyment, the church is a holy place and you are here for your catharsis, for your purging and painful redemption that must be repeated weekly. So, is this really being holy?

 

As a child it is scary to think that religion is some type of bitter medicine that if you don’t take it you are going to get sick and die and go to hell! If there are any children listening to me now, listen to this, when you are a bit older you must go back and re-read all of God’s word to understand many things you missed as a kid only getting the kids version of the gospel! God is love and he wants us happy!

 

The truth of the Word is powerful and only later in life, as a teenager, or as a past 21-year-old adult do you get a full understanding and eye opening after you decide to obey it and live it.  God’s Word does transform you but that is after you get a touch from the Holy Spirit by seeking Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. It begins when you decide to intensely love God! He loved you first, so the closer you are to Him the more you will experience what holiness and love is.

 

3. Where did this concept of having to be sad, somber, and lifeless in worship originate in order to please the Holy God? Or the idea we must never be festive on the holidays? It began with the dawn of the pagan religions! With the sons of Cain who rejected worshiping God as their loving creator and they formed false gods, animalistic and cruel oppressive gods to be worshipped. Ever since the redemption of Jesus on the cross the Gnostics, the hypocrites, the rebellious and stubborn, the Satanic followers and the ‘spiritually lazy ignorant folks’ have been perverting the gospel to be a bitter pill…so undesirable that no one dare try it. Forget those fridge faces! Pray and discern, not everyone in the Christian church is a true believer and follower of Jesus who said we would be happy if we knew what He taught. John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 

Most people think that others will believe what they tell them about their selves; they may be miserable but they lie and say they are happy. Words are only a part of who you are; people are discerning all things about you by the looks on your face be they happy or sad, by the attitudes you express in conversations, and by the feelings they get when they hear your tone when you speak about God and others. Do people feel you love God and others? What do you make people feel anyway, happiness, indifference, or sadness? Do they see you as holy? In church in particular, when you are supposed to be happy and praising God, are you by your somberness figuratively throwing water on the fire of those who are shining for Jesus? Pray for God’s holy fire to purge you so the final result is all the dross will get burnt away and only happiness and joy in the Lord remain! Holiness is happiness! 

 

Churches, or Corps as we call them, are our safe spaces where we can meet and pray and communicate with God. They are places of fellowship where we learn the Word of God, and they serve to have a place to unite us, make us feel love, the love of God and the love of each other. So, these holy and sacred places are supposed to have the function of filling you up with love, and if not then they are not serving their holy reason to exist! If church becomes a ritual, a pain, a bitter pill, then that could be the fault of the theology, pastors, or the people in the congregation for entertaining that unloving and unholy attitude. But the mission is not just behind these 4 walls! It is out where the people are, even in festivals! 

 

4. One of my favorite phrases from the Holy Scriptures is the “Joy of the Lord is your strength”. It is from Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” There was going to be a festival, a holy day, and God was commanding the people to enjoy it! And to share it with all!

 

The Hebrews have several “holy” days a year, and they serve different purposes, some to remember their pain and years of slavery, while others are to be happy occasions. There is a time for everything, but in general when we meet to worship the Lord, we should be doing it with happy thankful hearts. In particular, when we do our praising with music, we all should join in and sing and be happy. If nothing makes you happy about praising God, hearing His Word, and being in fellowship with others, then you had better check your heart and ask God for a repentance and forgiveness for not desiring Him and His people. Pray and get a victory!

 

Conclusively, if God wants the hearts of people happy, which only can happen after there has been a purging of the heart and a full acceptance of forgiveness through Jesus, how is it so many people have a hard time with that? I think it is from guilt! Many people feel unworthy to be happy, so they take on the attitude in church, and in festivals, that they must always be sorrowful to please God. Well, if you are doing something that makes you sorrowful, some sin you will not let go of, then let it go! Repent, and go and sin no more! Don’t be a bad testimony for Jesus by making it look like you are sad and never forgiven and week after week you have to punish yourself with a long face. This is totally the wrong way to practice our faith. A religion that wants to hang a ‘Damocles sword’ (look it up) over your head should be considered a pagan one, a controlling one, and sadly a majority of Christian churches (along with all the false religions of the world) practice this very thing. Please, turn your eyes upon Jesus, it is Him that saves!

 

5. So, there exists the strict somber holy ones but what about the Christian who wants to have too much fun? Not here, but in other places you hear the rumors, “Did you know so and so was seen at the Club last night”. Hum, well, how did you know?! We have the perception that living a holy life should be one of depravity, one where all sins are prohibited except for over eating. Again, this Is not holiness, but night clubs are a bad environment.  We must avoid festivals or carnal gatherings that give the appearance of wrongdoing, or partake in things that would stumble someone of the faith. We no longer have a love for the world!

 

Actually, if you are living a holy life, you will feel complete and so good and happy and blessed and full of the Spirit all the time that you will feel little desire to want to be entertained by the world and be around the people of the world. These are folks that are obviously trying to make their selves feel good by being around others with artificial stimulations (excessive, dance and drink, etc.). These people may laugh with friends but you and I can often see in their eyes sadness, worry and confusion. But more often than not many of the local festivals, national ‘holidays’, Thanksgivings, and Spring & Christmas Parades, are inspirational enough and we should be there in them. Some are harmless compared to other things. We should be representing Jesus and the Salvation Army in local kiosks, my wife and I have represented Jesus and TSA in many dozens of festivals, including 5 de Mayo (s), International Fairs, parades, etc. All festivals need Jesus! 

 

Here is a thought, if Jesus attended parties and banquets even with publicans and sinners, why are we not celebrating with others as well?  Marriages, parties, quincianeros (15-year birthdays), new babies, all are motives to get together with others, even those who are worldly. Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Jesus is saying, go, be friends with those of the world (of course, don’t partake of sins) and by winning them to the Lord, they may have your back one day when you need it! We cannot disqualify ourselves from being with others on holidays and special occasions just because they may not be entirely Christian enough, but by being with them, we have opportunity to tell them about Jesus and our faith.  

 

6. Jesus attended parties. As a matter of fact, the first miracle Jesus did was turning water into wine! The people had already drunk up all the big cisterns of wine and Jesus is making more? Wouldn’t they get tipsy? What does that tell you? He was not against people enjoying life! And these were ordinary folks at this party, not a bunch of holy rabbis debating doctrine. Observe that Jesus attended all kinds of events and mixed with all kinds of sinners so he could share with them all about the Kingdom of God. Are you motivated as He was in this way?

 

Well, in the Salvation Army we can be around people of the world but we do not drink alcohol because Satan messed it up for us. With some of our brothers in our facilities getting over addictions, we just abstain to prevent any temptation. If all the people of the world drank in moderation all could be well, but because quite a few, about 1 in 10 actually, have abused alcohol and changed their DNA into dependency, we no longer drink so we are not tempting these weak ones by them knowing we get to have it and they don’t. For their sake we do without. As God’s people we may do some things in moderation, or even give them up, but not so with the people of the world who are weak without faith, they get out of control!

   Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. We must also recall also that Jesus even said he would not drink wine again until all was finished and then He would drink it again with us, the saints of God, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Which is after His return).

 

7. I contend, we should enjoy the local festivals, parades, and parties and as Christians, we should use them as a means to give our testimonies and win souls to Jesus! Isn’t that what the Salvation Army and true Christians have always done? Aren’t we in the Rose Bowl Parades, and in the football half-times with our marching bands? Did you ever go to Blossom type Festivals? We go in uniform to these often so the people can be reminded we are here doing God’s work, and do you want to pray? I love to be with people having fun and some of you do too, but even if you hate crowds, you should do all things to glorify God and be a witness for Jesus. We are the salt and light and we must make our faces to shine!

 

Listen to this, I met a man before who told me of something he remembered as a U.S. Army soldier from the Korean war, that the young Salvationist girls would give out ‘War Crys’ and tell them about Jesus in the bars! Girls, who is brave enough here to go into the bars and do that?! Well, I wish we could do this again, but laws, and dangerous people make it difficult. But that was beautiful, right?

 

My wife and I have gone door-to door and to businesses hundreds of times in our lives inviting people to receive Jesus by doing the sinners prayer and inviting them to a Corps or Church.  So don’t condemn brave ones on the front lines, festivals are good excuses for us to get involved with the people, and it is your and my job to preach the gospel! By the example of Jesus in parties with sinners, we see this implies by all means possible and ways! When people celebrate something in the world, we should show up and offer them God’s love, Jesus, and our happy filled with the Holy Spirit enthusiasm, which really is worth celebrating! Set yourself on fire for God and the world will come out to watch you burn!

 

8. What is the conclusion? We do all things with the intention of glorifying God! The people of the world with their guilty unrepentant hearts always want to throw stones at those (us) who stand up for Christ or just causes, but just shake it off! Great is your reward in heaven! Whether you are sober seeking God sacrificing in the extreme, or whether you are happy serving God even going to parties, some will love you and others will hate you. Those that reject Jesus will despise you seeing you happy and they will despise you if you are preaching to them convicting them to repent as well! But those who want Jesus will think you are just a friendly person who has happiness to share with them. 

 

Luke 7:33-35 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

The Salvation Army is a holiness movement and we do it Jesus’ way! Our history of taking marching bands and preaching to the lost ones in the East London bars proves we are not afraid to go anywhere, do anything for God and souls, and take care of those suffering. It’s because of Jesus’ blood and the fire of the Holy Spirit! Holiness includes a wholeness of all people included, one of not discriminating against the sinful, addictive, worldly lost sheep who may come to Jesus, that is if someone like you and me are present there to tell them.    

 

My friends, we are to be like Jesus! We need to be out there meeting the publicans and sinners where they are, in their activities and festivals. Jesus did not say, be like John the Baptist, make yourself suffer and eat only wild locust and honey preaching repentance only. We are to go to the parties of our heathen sinful neighbors and be a testimony to them so that they can be happy in Jesus if they would only give Him a try. We are their opportunity to see a whole new perspective: God’s Spirit coming alive in their lives! Go for souls and go for the worst!

 

9. In a final conclusion, some Christians define Christmas as a pagan holiday and we are grave sinners if we participate in it?! What? We know the history, the ancient church placed Jesus’ birth on December the 25^th the same day as Horus, Krishna, Mithra, Buddha, Tammuz, Adonis, Dionysus, Hercules, and Herme’s birthday, so purposely choosing that date was to override the worship of these other so-called gods with Jesus as the focus! God sees the intentions of the heart for holidays. Those that celebrate Jesus are worshipping Him only. We give no glory to the story of the big guy in the red suit…we seek to teach others the real story of Jesus. Jesus, as historians conclude, was born in the spring at the time of the zodiac ram (lamb), marking Him the beginning initiator of celestial time, the creator and head of all things. But isn’t it nice to get family and friends together mid-winter when the weather is ugly? Celebrate Jesus with others! Sing songs about Him! And be joyful! Jesus is the reason for the season!