Free To Worship: Notes from “Rehearsing for Eternity” - Ps Joe and Becky Cruse
Since the beginning, God's plan has always been for man to be free to worship His creator. The Garden of Eden, in all its splendor, was a place for man to have fellowship and authority. He was to tend it, subdue it, grow it, and exercise complete authority over it. It was the place Adam and Eve could have free access to the presence of God.
Eph 3:12 (AMP) says, "We dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access, an unreserved approach to God...." Let's look at our free access to God's presence by using the word "FREE" as an acronym.
F-The Fall of Man
R-The Redemption of Man
E-The Everlasting Covenant based on Better Promises
E-Our Eternal Worship
The Fall of ManGenesis 2 tells the story of Adam and Eve and the beautiful plan God had for them. However, in Genesis 3, their encounter with the serpent resulted in sin and separation.
The Bible says that the moment they partook of the fruit "their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness" (Genesis 3:7 NLT). Verse 8 tells us, "Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees."
Adam and Eve, rather than accepting responsibility, made excuses and passed the blame. People are not much different today. Guilt, condemnation, offense, anger, and resentment keep many people from intimacy with God. Because of sin, God drove them from the garden, separating them from His presence.
The Redemption of Man Thank God for Jesus! Through Him, redemption comes bringing deliverance from sin, condemnation, and from dead works. Colossians 2:13 (NLT) says, "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, forgiving all our sins."
Jesus, in His great love has returned us to a place of right standing with God. Hebrews 9:14-15 (NLT) says, "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one, who mediates the new covenant, between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant." Thank you Jesus!
The Everlasting Covenant Based on Better PromisesRegarding the differences between the old and new covenants, it is good to know that Christ, through His death and resurrection, abolished the old law and established new and better promises, by establishing the tabernacle (the resting place of God) inside the believer. Christ brought eternal forgiveness and everlasting life, restoring fellowship and intimacy.
What are the benefits of the new covenant?
Look at Hebrews 10:19 and 21-22 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." "And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."
In other words, we have free
access into God's presence. We have every right as sons and daughters to freely approach God's throne. He continues by saying we are righteous in His sight, we have freedom and confidence, we are cleansed from a guilty conscience, and we have new hope. That is a powerful truth!
Our Eternal Worship I am convinced that the spirit-filled life on earth is to prepare us for eternity as eternal worshipers. (
Note--that is why we call our worship conferences, "Rehearsing for Eternity" see worshipworksministries.org)Heavenly worship is described throughout the book of Revelation. Chapters 4, 7,19, and 21 describe worship as the offering of the crowns, the offering of thanksgiving on instruments, the offering of the prayers of the saints, the singing of the new songs, and the falling prostrate at His feet in honor. Heaven is a joyful place, a place of honor and glory, and a place of celebration.
Revelation 19:7 (AMP) says, "?Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate
and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself."
Church, our worship is not limited to a once-a-week experience-it has an eternal perspective! There is a worship service going on 24/7 around the throne. Plain and simple-don't let anything keep you from intimacy with Him. We have free access-we are free to worship.
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We would love to hear from you regarding "Free Access". Contact us at joeandbeckycruse.com)
