Podcasts about worshipers

Title: The Elect: Followers and Worshipers of Yahweh Passage: Genesis 12:4-9 The Lack of Worth in Abram and the Abundance of Grace in God The Appropriate Response of Faith The Unfinished Part of the Story

You can do something about this.Sponsored by Pray Latinhttps://praylatin.comSources:https://www.returntotradition.orgContact Me:Email: return2catholictradition@gmail.comSupport My Work:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/AnthonyStineSubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.net/return-to-traditionBuy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnthonyStinePhysical Mail:Anthony StinePO Box 3048Shawnee, OK74802Follow me on the following social media:https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToCatholicTradition/https://twitter.com/pontificatormax+JMJ+

You can do something about this.Sponsored by Pray Latinhttps://praylatin.comSources:https://www.returntotradition.orgContact Me:Email: return2catholictradition@gmail.comSupport My Work:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/AnthonyStineSubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.net/return-to-traditionBuy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnthonyStinePhysical Mail:Anthony StinePO Box 3048Shawnee, OK74802Follow me on the following social media:https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToCatholicTradition/https://twitter.com/pontificatormax+JMJ+

“Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me through pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.17)

Go ad-free, unlock bonus episodes & support the show at Patreon.com/BreakingSocialNorms  OR subscribe on the Apple Podcasts app!Today we'll take a spoiler-free look at the controversial erotic thriller Babygirl starring Nicole Kidman! We'll look at the director Halina Reijn's very occulted upbringing which takes us into middle eastern devil worshippers, Greek occult mad man George Gurdjieff, Nazi Anthroposophy and then we'll discuss a spoiler free review of the sexuality of the film, Saturnalia, kinks and more! Housekeeping will include updates on Isaac's obsession with Drake, Passionflix's connection to Elon Musk, main show starts at 20:00 with light plot spoilers announced at 1:28:00 and heavier plot spoilers announced at 1:41:00.FULL SHOW NOW UP AD-FREE with early access on Patreon.com/BreakingSocialNorms and Apple Podcast PremiumYou can now sign up for our commercial-free version of the show with a Patreon exclusive bonus show called “Morning Coffee w/ the Weishaupts” at Patreon.com/BreakingSocialNorms  OR subscribe on the Apple Podcasts app to get all the same bonus “Morning Coffee” episodes AD-FREE with early access! (*Patreon is also NOW enabled to connect with Spotify! https://rb.gy/r34zj)Want more?…Index of all previous episodes on free feed: https://breakingsocialnorms.com/2021/03/22/index-of-archived-episodes/Leave a review or rating wherever you listen and we'll see what you've got to say!Follow us on the socials:instagram.com/theweishaupts2/Amazon Affiliate shop (*still under construction) with our favorite hair, skin care and horny books: https://breakingsocialnorms.com/2024/08/24/amazon-shopping-list-josie-and-isaacs-list/Check out Isaac's conspiracy podcasts, merch, etc:AllMyLinks.com/IsaacWOccult Symbolism and Pop Culture (on all podcast platforms or IlluminatiWatcher.com)Isaac Weishaupt's book are all on Amazon and Audible; *author narrated audiobooks*STATEMENT: This show is full of Isaac's and Josie's useless opinions and presented for entertainment purposes. Audio clips used in Fair Use and taken from YouTube videos.

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his songs, O, The Glory, With A Shout Of Glory, and I Will Celebrate Your Presence, from his recording, Worshiper's Collection, Volume 1. You can purchase or stream this medley of songs on most major streaming platforms. You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month. Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

TODAY: We correctly choose not to cover the tariffs (now placed on hold) and instead turn to the very funny news of a Chinese AI model destroying the American Stock Market We sample the coping and seething of american tech parasites and beg China to do the right thing and fix Facebook ALSO: Tony shares a bizarre story about a dumpster-f*cker that he's really good friends with PLUS: A vigilante tries to deport a couple guys for speaking spanish. We watch the viral video of his hateful, racist performance and commend a bystander for stepping in. Will we be able to convince liberals that deportation is violent and racist even when its being done by law enforcement? Get a bonus episode every week by signing up at http://patreon.com/miniondeathcult for only $5/month  Music: Stop It!!! - Remove your Teeth clipping. - '96 Neve Campbell

If this message impacts you we'd love to hear about it! Send an email to stories@renovation.church and let us know how we can be praying for you. We want to help you get connected to our church! Text "renovationchurch" to 94000 for more information on how to get connected and get in touch with our team. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people with the message of Jesus head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://renovation.church/give

Today's show sponsored by: Goldco — 10% Instant Match in BONUS SILVER, for qualified JLP Show listeners Learn more at https://JesseLovesGold.com or 855-644-GOLD JLP Fri 1-31-25 Express Yourself Friday… HOUR 1 DEI Air Traffic Control? Woman: "I'm a b—!" // HOUR 2 PhD lady attacks! John McCain, hero? Illegal amnesty? // HOUR 3 Face mama. Israel. "Accept Jesus"? Memory worshiper // Biblical Question: Are you a memory worshiper? JLP tees, coffee… https://jesseleepeterson.shop/ ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 HOUR 1 0:05:00 Friday: Real? 0:08:20 Spiritual battle… Air Traffic Control, DEI 0:22:40 Trump on DEI… Breaking down the country 0:31:30 Announcements 0:35:00 … They don't care! 0:36:30 SANDRA, GA, 1st: Evil 0:48:25 SANDRA: I'm a b— 0:50:04 Supers 0:55:04 NEWS 1:00:55 HOUR 2 1:04:00 "Karen," a black woman? Crying, Lying! 1:11:50 BILL, Detroit: JLP on spam sushi viral TikTok 1:15:35 PHILIP, Sweden: Stay with it 1:19:34 JAMIE, PA: Bringing common sense back 1:22:25 ROBERT, TN, 1st: John McCain, captured hero? … 1:31:20 GoldCo 1:33:40 ROBERT, 19, Trump: Divisive? Open borders? 1:51:25 Supers … Punchie's coffee 1:55:00 NEWS 2:00:55 HOUR 3 2:04:40 GEORGIA, MS, 1st: Fear, hate mama 2:09:38 TOMER, Israel: Red heifer? Dream Team: No Bibi? 2:23:00 ARDENE, CO, don't say DEI! Nick says… 2:31:40 If ever… 2:34:24 TODD, Phoenix, 1st: Why forgive? "Accepting Christ"? 2:48:30 JABRIL, VA, BQ: Memory worshiper, pork rinds 2:52:30 Supers: Heroes? Quit alcohol? 2:56:30 Closing… Get on the straight and narrow

What is worship for? Many times we are tempted to come to worship seeking some sort of spiritual experience, but this misses the point of worship. Worship is about praising God whether we feel like it or not, and whether we feel anything or not.

Book written by: Nathan and Rachel French Book read by: Laura Marshall Podcast published by: Audio Mommy Podcast Book Link: https://a.co/d/8VYCARO

Pastor Travis Cunningham continues our Reset series by preaching on being a Worshiper & Family Member from Ephesians 1:3-14.Learn more about Story Church at our website: story.church Instagram: @ourstorychurch

As we embark on a new year, let's reflect on the profound importance of faithful worship in our spiritual lives. The message draws inspiration from Psalm 100, reminding us that worship is not a spectator sport, but a participatory event that should fill us with joy and gratitude.We're challenged to enter God's presence with gladness, even when we don't feel like it, understanding that this is both a command and a discipline. The power of gratitude is emphasized, not just for its physical and emotional benefits, but for its spiritual impact on our relationship with God. As we count our blessings and praise God for His goodness, we're reminded of His steadfast love that endures forever.This message encourages us to see God not as a distant, angry figure, but as a good and loving Father who delights in His creation. As we step into the new year, let's commit to being faithful worshipers, entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, recognizing that true worship starts before we even enter the church building.

Today, close the refrigerator, turn off the TV, turn off your phone and trust God. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

God Worshipers - Part 4

God Worshipers - Part 4

God Worshipers - Part 3

God Worshipers - Part 3

radiantvisalia.comMagnifywith Tiffany Aicklen Support the show

I have been blessed to travel to Israel, and visit the shepherd's fields of Bethlehem, and the Church of the Nativity – the traditional birthplace of Jesus. It is an incredibly moving experience to see, touch, and contemplate the place where God entered our world as Child. Worshipers cry, kiss the ground, and tremble at the idea that it is there our Savior was born. There are three responses people have to Jesus: adoration anger, and apathy. Nevertheless, only the attitude of adoration will produce contentment in this life, and the life to come.We upload our message only version to our church app. If you would like to view this week's entire worship service you can find it by clicking the available link.

I have been blessed to travel to Israel, and visit the shepherd's fields of Bethlehem, and the Church of the Nativity – the traditional birthplace of Jesus. It is an incredibly moving experience to see, touch, and contemplate the place where God entered our world as Child. Worshipers cry, kiss the ground, and tremble at the idea that it is there our Savior was born. There are three responses people have to Jesus: adoration anger, and apathy. Nevertheless, only the attitude of adoration will produce contentment in this life, and the life to come.We upload our message only version to our church app. If you would like to view this week's entire worship service you can find it by clicking the available link.

Matthew 2:1-12  Pastor Daniel Ackerman

Worship is more than just singing; it's a lifestyle that aligns every part of our life with God's purpose. In Part 2 of the God Worshipers series, Pastor Blunt dives deeper into what it truly means to live as a worshiper. Discover how worship shapes your thoughts, decisions, and actions, helping you hit God's bullseye for your life. Learn how saying “no” to your desires and “yes” to God is an act of worship, and why renewing your mind is the first step in living a life of authentic worship. Don't miss this powerful message filled with practical insights to help you grow as a God Worshiper! Plan your visit today to visit Church on the Rock in St. Peter's, Missouri, located just 20 minutes away from St. Louis. cotr.org/planyourvisit

Worship is more than just singing; it's a lifestyle that aligns every part of our life with God's purpose. In Part 2 of the God Worshipers series, Pastor Blunt dives deeper into what it truly means to live as a worshiper. Discover how worship shapes your thoughts, decisions, and actions, helping you hit God's bullseye for your life. Learn how saying “no” to your desires and “yes” to God is an act of worship, and why renewing your mind is the first step in living a life of authentic worship. Don't miss this powerful message filled with practical insights to help you grow as a God Worshiper! Plan your visit today to visit Church on the Rock in St. Peter's, Missouri, located just 20 minutes away from St. Louis. cotr.org/planyourvisit

radiantvisalia.comPostures of Praisewith Travis Aicklen Support the show

Worship Leader Taylor Cummings emphasizes the distinction between identity and calling, focusing on the importance of understanding one's identity through God's perspective before pursuing one's calling.

radiantvisalia.comWonderwith Jerrod Turner Support the show

2 Empower U  The first worshipers. Podcast Show # 241 Dec 9th 2024   A podcast dedicated to my younger self and anyone who needs help strengthening their relationship with God.   Quote of the day: "True greatness is not found in status, but in humble hearts that are open to receive the extraordinary in the ordinary.” 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20 We love to hear from you!   Reach out to Pastor DeLoach on Instagram and tell him how he inspired you today.  https://www.instagram.com/thomasadeloach/?hl=en   Pastor DeLoach also offers a variety of counseling services. You can contact him about a FREE consultation here:   info@thomadeloach.com   Help support Pastor DeLoach and the Word of Life Outreach Ministries to keep this podcast going and share the word of God by donating here:   https://buy.stripe.com/bIY16oe7Pcz26l25kk     Go to the website to sign up for the monthly newsletter From The Pastor's Pen:   https://www.thomasadeloach.com/ 2 Empower U 

God Worshipers - Part 1 - What It Means to Be a God Worshiper

God Worshipers - Part 1 - What It Means to Be a God Worshiper

Are you a true worshiper, or are you simply going through the motions? This thought-provoking study examines the two distinct types of worshipers Jesus identified. We'll delve deep into the teachings of Jesus and examine the characteristics of each type of worshiper. It's time to take a hard look at our own hearts and ask some challenging questions. Are you truly worshiping God in spirit and in truth?

CMFI Annual prayer and fasting crusade - KOUME2024. The burden and our heart cry to God is the revival of the people of CMFI worldwide

Do you have the heart of a true worshiper? A true worshiper desires to know God and be in His presence. Are you willing to ask the Lord to give you a heart for Him? "The Heart of the Worshiper" is part of the 6-MESSAGE series by Pastor Jeff Schreve titled THE HEART OF WORSHIP.

Do you have the heart of a true worshiper? A true worshiper desires to know God and be in His presence. Are you willing to ask the Lord to give you a heart for Him? "The Heart of the Worshiper" is part of the 6-MESSAGE series by Pastor Jeff Schreve titled THE HEART OF WORSHIP.

On Sukkot's final day, all nations will celebrate Yeshua as King. Worshipers in Jerusalem will be blessed with rain, while others will go without. Water is vital for life, and God controls it. The river of the water of life is free for all who are thirsty. We can joyfully draw from it, assured that our King, Yeshua the Messiah, provides what we need to live! Watch "The Greatest Day" as we close out our Holy Day series!Link: https://restoration.subspla.sh/jz7m9fy#thehappyrabbi #seattle #jewish #messianic #restorationseattle #JewishinSeattle #HolyDays #highholidays #RoshHashana #YomKippur #Sukkot #fallholidays #shofar #applesandhoney #jewishnewyear #Atonement #Repentance #celebration #torah

On Sukkot's final day, all nations will celebrate Yeshua as King. Worshipers in Jerusalem will be blessed with rain, while others will go without. Water is vital for life, and God controls it. The river of the water of life is free for all who are thirsty. We can joyfully draw from it, assured that our King, Yeshua the Messiah, provides what we need to live! Watch "The Greatest Day" as we close out our Holy Day series!Link: https://restoration.subspla.sh/jz7m9fy#thehappyrabbi #seattle #jewish #messianic #restorationseattle #JewishinSeattle #HolyDays #highholidays #RoshHashana #YomKippur #Sukkot #fallholidays #shofar #applesandhoney #jewishnewyear #Atonement #Repentance #celebration #torah

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally dive into 2 Kings 10:18-35, exploring the story of Jehu's campaign to eliminate Baal worship in Israel. Jehu executes a cunning plan to gather and kill all the worshipers of Baal, leaving no trace of the cult. However, his zeal is tempered by his failure to completely turn away from idolatry, as he leaves the golden calves at Bethel and Dan untouched. The hosts reflect on the themes of obedience, the limitations of human effort, and the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. They also discuss how God's covenantal faithfulness persists, even as Israel faces the consequences of its unfaithfulness. This episode invites listeners to consider their own areas of incomplete surrender and the enduring call to trust in God's plans over personal agendas.

The fuzz club takes on all the powers of Endor. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/weekendstarwarriors/support

That's right—we're back in the heady world of sense-making, but don't worry, we're just in time to witness the final resolution of the ever-looming 'Meaning Crisis.'Join Matt and Chris as they embark on an epic journey with the cognitively inclined philosopher John Vervaeke and none other than the uber-guru, Jordan Peterson, himself. Together, they navigate a vast semantic web of meaning that spans discussions of Power, Beauty, Love, Religion, and, of course... the Logos!Along the way, we'll probe the limits of complex wordplay and autodidactic insights, consider the ancient art of delegation, and ponder how the religious-shaped void might just be filled with engagement in Dialogos. On the more mundane level, we'll also explore the inner workings of Jordisan Academy, the logistics of the 'We Who Wrestle with God' tour, upcoming Sensemaking cruises, and the vital multivitamins every Responsible Man should be taking.So come along as Matt and Chris grapple with the Omega Rule, cast aside their reductive materialism, and bow down in horror and awe to worship the words that the eternal Logos issues forth.LinksThe Meaning Crisis: Resolution | Dr. John Vervaeke | EP 482The Stoa: Wisdom Signalling & the Wisdom of Criticism w/ John Veraveke, Chris M, Chris Kavanagh, & Matt BrowneA Bit of Fry and Laurie: A Bit of Fry & Laurie Concerning LanguageJohn Vervaeke: Awakening from the Meaning Crisis

Last Sunday, we began a new six-sermon series called “We Are Cities Church.” We've been through some distinct seasons in almost ten years as a church, and now find ourselves on the front end of a new one. You might summarize our first five years, from founding to COVID, as a time of being planted. And from early 2020 until last summer, as a time of becoming rooted. Last fall we talked about coming into a new season of growth in the life of our church, and as part of this last year, the pastors have given time to revisiting who we are and what we're called to as a church.Last week Jonathan said, “If you've been around Cities Church for a while, we don't expect that you'll be surprised by anything you hear. If you're brand-new, we're excited for you to meet our church, and if you're semi-new, we hope this might fill in some gaps for you.”Jonathan finished the sermon last Sunday by introducing a fresh expression of our stated mission as a church:Our mission has always been, and will always be, to make disciples of Jesus. That's what Jesus tells us to do. And when it comes to what we mean by making disciples, we want to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life.This morning, and the next three Sundays, we'd like to flesh this out — in particular, we want to introduce a new fourfold way of capturing what we mean by “joyful disciples of Jesus”:We are Jesus worshipers.We are joyful servants.We are generous disciplers.We are welcoming witnesses. Until now, we've talked about our threefold calling as worshipers, servants, and missionaries. Now, we'd like to take that same pie, and cut it into four slices, instead of three — and add some adjectives. So, next Sunday, we'll focus on joyful servants. Then, in two weeks, generous disciplers. And in three weeks, welcoming witnesses. But this morning, we begin with what is first and foremost, and what remains most unchanged and totally untweaked from day one to year ten: we worship Jesus.We have it on the back doors, with no plan to remove it: We worship Jesus. We love one another. We seek the good of the Cities.If you want to know what's the first thing to say about Cities Church, it's this: we worship Jesus. For outsiders who ask, Who are those people? And for insiders who ask, Who are we? There is nothing more fundamental than we worship Jesus.So let's ponder what each of those three words carries for us. What do we mean by “worship”? And what's significant about that “we”? And why do we say “Jesus,” and not just “God” or “the Father” or “the Trinity”?And as we do that, we'll make some connections to the passage we just read in John 12:20–26. Let me give you three reasons why our first and foremost calling is to be “Jesus worshipers.” Let's start with the word worship.1. God made you to worship.Not just us, but you. This is very personal, and all important. If you don't realize this about yourself, much of your own life will be confusing, and if you do know this, and own it, then far more of your life, and your thoughts and your desires and impulses, will make sense.God made you. You were created by him. You do not simply exist. You are not matter plus chance plus time. You have a Creator, who had designs in making you, and the overarching design is that your life reflect the worth and value of the Creator. In other words, God made you to make much of him, and (good news!) that through enjoying him, and expressing your heart's satisfaction in him through words and deeds. Or, we might say it this way: God designed you to worship him — in body and in soul. Not only are your eyes and ears, and lips and tongue, and arms and legs, and hands and feet designed to display the value of God in his created world, but also your mind and heart were made to glorify him. God gave us brains and emotions that we might think true thoughts about him, and experience fitting feelings about him, and in doing so, glorify him.In other words, God wired us to be worshipers. To be human is to have a heart that worships. You will worship someone, or something, or yourself. And the problem with humanity, called sin, is not that we cease to worship but that we turn from God to worship other things. Sin is worship gone wrong. Romans 1 diagnoses our condition like this:…what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.The 17th century philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal put it like this:There was once in man a true happiness of which there now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present. But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself.In John 12, some Greeks, seeking to fill the infinite abyss, come to Jerusalem to worship. Look at verses 20–22:Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.So, some Greeks show up in the capital city of the Jews. They have come to worship, John says. God made them to worship, and they are seeking. Their hearts are restless, and who knows how far and wide their restless hearts have led them in their quest to find the only one who fills the infinite abyss. And now they are very close. They have come to Jerusalem, of all places. In fact, in making this request to one of Jesus's disciples (the one with the Greek name Philip), they are even closer to the end of their quest than they could have imagined.Come HedonisticallyLet's make something clear about worship, about these Greeks coming to Jerusalem, and about us gathering here together this morning. Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”“Draw near” is the language of worship. With hungry souls, we draw near physically to this building — or for them, to Jerusalem — but most importantly we draw near in our hearts and minds, that is, in our attention and focus. We turn our minds and hearts, and our words of praise and postures of worship, to God. And Hebrews 11:6 says the kind of drawing near that pleases God is the kind that not only believes he exists but that “he rewards those who seek him.” He fills the abyss. He satisfies the soul. He feeds the hungry in spirit. God is pleased by those who take their longing, restless, aching, thirsty souls and draw near to him for satisfaction. He is pleased by worshipers who draw near, starved for him. Worshipers who come hedonistically. The heart of worship is satisfaction in God. And the praises we offer, and hands we raise, in worship on Sunday, and the words we speak and lives we offer all week, these are not mere expressions of hearts satisfied in God but, as C.S. Lewis says, they are the appointed consummation of our joy in God. Our emptiness, and his filling, lead us to fullness of joy in worship. We worship not just because we're satisfied but to be fully satisfied.God made you to glorify him by enjoying him forever. Or, we might say, God made you to worship.2. God made us to worship together. These Greeks do something very natural by coming to a designated place of worship at a designated time of worship. They “went up to worship at the feast” in Jerusalem. Not only do they personally long for God, and want to know him and appreciate him and praise him, but something in them longs to gather with others to worship together. The Creator is worthy not only of individual, private acknowledgement and reverence, but corporate, public praise and worship.Corporate worship is a public act. The God-given human longing is not only to worship God in our hearts privately, and in our homes privately, but we want to gather with others to declare our praise together. We were made for corporate worship.In corporate worship, we hear together God's word read and taught and preached, and we respond together in praise, in thanks, in song, in prayer, and at the Table, and in the giving of our finances, and in giving our attention and effort to strengthen each other in our common faith.And in it all, remember the essence of worship: satisfaction in God. Our lives as individual worshipers seek satisfaction in God, and we gather in corporate worship to seek our satisfaction in him together.God made us to glorify him by enjoying him together.3. God made us to worship Jesus.I said earlier that these Greeks speak better than they know when they say to Philip, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” They have come to Jerusalem to worship. They have come seeking the true God, and to fill the infinite abyss in their souls. And apparently, these worshipers hear about this Jesus, and they are intrigued. They'd like to meet him. So, they approach the disciple with a Greek name. And Philip tells Andrew (another Greek name), and they ask Jesus about it — and Jesus pivots in a way no one is expecting. And we hear no more about these Greeks after this. Their coming, and their inquiring after Jesus, signals something for Jesus. Look at verses 23–24. Jesus answered them,“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”Now, where in the world did that come from? Simple yes or no, Jesus: some Greeks are asking to see you. You willing to see them? And Jesus says “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” What's that?First, what is this “hour”? So far in the Gospel of John we've heard several times that it's not yet been “his hour.” At the wedding feast at Cana in John 2, they run out of wine, and Jesus's mother comes to him, and he says, “what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). And in John 7, Jewish officials are seeking to arrest him, but John reports, “no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come” (John 7:30). And again in John 8:20: “no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.” But some Greeks arrive in Jerusalem, to worship at the feast, and they want to see Jesus, and now he says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Greeks have come to worship. That is, Gentiles, the nations, the non-Jews are here, like the magi, and they've come to worship.It's a signal. Some Greeks are here for worship, which means Jesus's climactic hour has come. The prophecies are coming true! The nations are coming to worship Israel's God. So the Messiah, then, must be drawing near to the moment when he will complete the work the Father sent him to do. His hour has come to go to the cross.This, of course, is not the answer they were expecting — the disciples or the Greeks. However, their wish to see Jesus has not been rejected but redirected. It was an admirable wish, deeply so. They came to Jerusalem to worship, and they asked to see Jesus. They are on the trail — and if they remain in Jerusalem, they will soon see the most important sight of him, crushing as it at first will be. If you want to see me, Jesus says, my time has come to be seen, to be lifted up, to be “glorified” — which will not mean leading a charge to overthrow Rome and seize the crown, but it will mean laying down my life. Like a grain of wheat, I give myself to die first — then I will bear much fruit, among Jews and Greeks.These Greeks who have come to worship, will indeed see him, and get a sight far greater than they could have anticipated or imagined — far more horrible, and far more wonderful. They will witness the depths of his humiliation that will prove to be the very height of the glory of the one who truly is Israel's long-promised heir to the throne, as shocking and unexpected as it will be.And as they see him — in his divine and human excellencies, united in one person, and culminating in the cross and its aftermath — they will have all they wished and more in the request they made expressing the deepest longing of every human heart.The desire to see Jesus was far more profound than these Greeks could have guessed. They wished for amazement in the presence of someone great. And what they got instead, at the cross, anticipated the heavenly vision the apostle John would receive while in exile on the isle of Patmos.In John's vision, in Revelation 5, none in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, is at first found worthy to open the scroll of God's divine decrees of judgment (for his enemies) and salvation (for his people). Sensing the weight and importance of the moment, John begins to weep — perhaps even wondering if his Lord, the one who discipled him, the one to whom he's dedicated his life as a witness, is not worthy. One of heaven's elders then turns to him, and declares, Revelation 5:5,“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”Having heard this, John turns to look — and what does he see? Not a lion. He says in verse 6:“I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes . . . .”We might wrongly assume this was a disappointment, that John, hearing “Lion,” experienced some letdown to see a Lamb. But that is not how John reports it. This Lamb is no loss. The Lamb is gain. The one who was just declared to be the only one worthy is no less the Lion of Judah. He is also the Lamb who was slain. The Lion became Lamb without ceasing to be Lion. He did not jettison his lionlike glories, but added to his greatness the excellencies of the Lamb. He is a Lamb standing — not dead, not slumped over, not kneeling, but alive and ready — with fullness of power (seven horns), seeing and reigning over all (seven eyes).And so it will be for the worshiping Greeks in John 12 who wished to meet Jesus. Whatever disappointment they experienced in the moment in not having their immediate request fulfilled, and whatever devastations they endured on Good Friday as they watched in horror, it all changed on the third day. Then their desire was answered beyond their greatest dreams — not just to see Messiah, but God himself, the very Lion of heaven.And not just divine, but the added lamblike glory of our own human flesh and blood, and that same blood spilled to not only show us glory but invite us into it — Jew and Gentile, Greek and Barbarian.Which leads to that last question we asked at the beginning: Why, as a church, do we say “we worship Jesus,” and not just “God” or “the Father” or “the Trinity”?One, worshiping Jesus is not at odds with worshiping the Father or “the Trinity.” No one is happier when we “worship Jesus” than the Father (and the Spirit!). And no one's happier for us to “worship the Father” than Jesus, our mediator. Here in John 12 alone, Jesus speaks of himself being “glorified” — which will mean, among other things, his being exalted to the place of worship. And then he prays in verse 28, “Father, glorify your name.” Then the voice comes from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” So, who's being glorified, worthy of worship, Jesus or the Father? This is a glimpse of the back and forth we find throughout the New Testament.But why would we say Jesus, and not the Father? There is a special fitness in humans worshiping the God who became human, and died as human, and rose as human, and lives forever, as human, for our eyes to see, and ears to hear, and words to praise and eternal lives to exalt. Jesus is the litmus test of true worship.We were indeed made for God — with an infinite abyss only God can fill, with a restlessness of soul satisfied in nothing less than the divine. And even more particularly, we were made for the God-man — for the greatness of God himself who draws near, in our own flesh and blood and circumstances, in the person of Christ. The lionlike greatness of God in his divine glory is sweetened, deepened, and accented by his lamblike nearness and human excellencies.So, we exist to glorify God by enjoying Jesus together forever. We exist to worship Jesus.See and Savor JesusAs we come to the Table, let me ask a practical question: What is currently fueling or draining your ability to see and savor Jesus?You exist to worship Jesus. What's helping that? What's blocking that? As we receive these emblems of his body and blood, and so encounter him in faith, and nourish our souls in him, let's consecrate ourselves afresh to him.This is our first and foremost calling: “we worship Jesus.”

Thoughtful Worshipers: Romans 12:1-2 (Nate Edmondson) by Highlands Community Church