RESTORATION & RADICAL WORSHIP

February 4, 2010

Restoration Arts Dance
(RAD) - RADICAL WORSHIP THRU dance!

Romans 11:36 - For From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen
Revelation 4:11 - Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.

God created you to bring Him glory - every part of you. Every gift He gave you, etc.
God alone restores us - He restores my soul - Psalm 23:3 (He will guide us in the paths of righteousness for His names’ sake - it’s all for His glory.)

Restoration - definition

1) the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment.
2) the state or fact of being restored.
3) a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition.
4) restitution of something taken away or lost.
5) something that is restored, as by renovating.
6) a reconstruction or reproduction of an ancient building, extinct animal, or the like, showing it in its original state.
7) a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.

Radical - definition

1) of or going to the root or origin; fundamental: a radical difference
2) Thoroughgoing or extreme, esp. as regards change from accepted or traditional forms

Most of the arts, a lot of dance, etc. is typically for the purpose of entertainment, being enjoyable to participate in and observe, pleasing to the eye, bringing glory to the artist (for their talent and training, etc.) - it is radical to think of worshiping God thru dance (this is opposite from the way our culture thinks, but we are not called to be like the world - Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9).

We can receive restoration in God’s presence through worship! (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 22:3)

God wants to restore us to bring Him glory in everything and to restore freedom and worship in His house (first in us individually and within the whole body of Christ). We (the church) can then be used to reveal God’s glory and light to the lost people around us who need salvation and restoration.

Acts 15:16-17 (and Amos 9:11)
AFTER THESE THINGS I WILL RETURN, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,AND I WILL RESTORE IT, SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD,AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME.

Much of the arts, dance, etc. does not bring honor and glory to God, nor is much of it used to bring people to God - our focus will first be to offer ourselves fully to God in worship and, as a result, then bring glory and honor to the God who created everything for His purpose and His glory alone.

God is seeking worshipers (not just dancers, musicians, artists, etc.)

John 4:23-24 (CEV) - But a time is coming, and it is already here! Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth. These are the ones the Father is seeking to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship Him according to the truth.

What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth? We must know the Truth (Jesus) and be following and obeying the truth of His Word in our everyday lives. Jesus and His Word are one in the same (He is the word made flesh - John 1). In other words, we cannot be following the ways of the world (and culture) and be worshiping in spirit and in truth. We will not worship something or someone we do not love, and we cannot love someone whom we do not know (true worship is born out of knowing God through consistent fellowship with Him, and loving God with all our heart, soul, mind & strength (Mark 12:30). True worship comes from the heart, from the inside out, not just going through the motions (singing songs, dancing, etc.) (Mark 7:6 - “…..These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Matthew 23:27)

Worshipers vs. Performers:
Performers are typically self-confident (this is the world’s way) and are usually mostly interested in pleasing their audience and receiving all the praise. Worshipers are confident in God and in the power of His Holy Spirit to work through them and are focused on pleasing God (not man) - God is the true worshiper‘s audience). True worshipers desire that others join with them in praise and worship, but will still worship God boldly even if no one else joins them. True God worshipers know Who they are worshiping and knowing “The Truth” brings freedom (from what others think, etc.). “True worshipers” worship from the heart, and are not just going through the motions.

Worship - Definition

Extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object (or person) of esteem


WORSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE
(Romans 12:1-2)

WORSHIP IS WARFARE
(2 Chronicles 20:15-30; Acts 16:25-26)

WORSHIP IS FREEDOM
(John 8:32; Galatians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 3:17)

(THE ANTEDOTE TO BONDAGE IS WORSHIP)