Radical Worshippers -- part 1

For the next few weeks I would like to delve into the phrase “radical worshippers.”  Now I know for some, the adjective “radical” being used to describe the noun “worshipper” seems misrepresented. Suggesting that we as Jesus followers could be “radical” in our worship may seem edgy or even possibly sacrilegious. But could we proceed with an open heart and an open mind and discover what the Holy Spirit might have meant when He shared this term “radical worshippers” with me years ago?

Let’s first look at a definition. The Merriam – Webster Online Dictionary says this about the word “radical:”

• Marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional
• Extreme
• Disposed to make extreme changes in habits or conditions
• Advocating extreme measures to retain or restore

The Encarta World English Dictionary offers this definition:

• Affecting the basic nature or most notable features of something
• Pervasive, far-reaching, thorough, favoring major changes

And finally, we find this explanation in the American Heritage Dictionary.

• Going to the foundation or root of the source
• Departing markedly from the usual or customary

So with this understanding of the word “radical,” how can we see the relationship it has to our worship? I would like to look at three arenas of worship where the possibilities of experiencing the Lord’s Presence can be enhanced by a more “radical” expression on our part as worshippers.        

The Radical Worshipper is a BOLD Worshipper.

One of the common threads we see from these dictionary definitions of the word “radical” is the element of boldness that is required of radical actions. Now I am not talking about being wild and crazy, but rather worshipping the Lord with strong confidence. We might want to think of being bold as a knowing – knowing who God is and who we are in Christ.

What does the Word of God say about being bold, specifically in developing our personal relationship with the Lord?

Acts 4:13  “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

Therefore, spending time in the Lord’s Presence produces boldness!

Ephesians 3:12 reminds us of this: “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”

Our faith in Him gives us access to His Presence, and in Him, we can be bold in our worship of the King of Kings!

In the Strong’s Concordance, most of the references of BOLD, BOLDLY, and BOLDNESS are New Testament verses. This shows us that BOLDNESS is available, and actually expected of us as New Covenant Believers.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

How is this possible? In the Old Testament, only the shed blood of animal sacrifices was able to atone for man’s sins. God set up specific tabernacle worship by which there was an ongoing process of only outer court experiences of worship for mankind. Only the high priest was able to go into the holy of holy once a year.

But when Jesus Christ shed His innocent, perfect blood on the Cross, He became God’s once and for all time sacrifice for mankind. When this happened, the walls and veils that separated the face-to-face relationship of God and man were destroyed.

Hebrews 10:19-22 says,  “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

For those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice, full entrance is given to come into God’s holy presence through the blood of Jesus. We can come BOLDLY (confidently) because Jesus has paid the full price for this entrance.

Conversely, if we do not come boldly into His presence to worship, are we minimizing or worse, dismissing Christ’s incredible work on the Cross? It is certainly something to think about, isn’t it Mothers of Nations? We need to examine our own worship lifestyles and determine if we are experiencing all that Jesus has provided us regarding entrance to His presence.

Next week we will continue our study of “radical worshippers.”  Hopefully, I have shared something with you today that you can chew on and think about regarding our worship lifestyles.

Until next week, be radically blessed of the Lord!

Rev. Nola Beintema