Sermon: Intensity  human nature, worldliness, Satan
by Chris Cumming   
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I grew up hearing a phrase that said you cannot tell a game without a scorecard.  Such is the case today and why I sent you a scorecard with words.  Your having studied these words and having them on paper before you for this sermon will aid your understanding as we go through the scriptures.

For years, I have been preaching about the personal and collective need for Fervency, Diligence and Zeal in our day-to-day lives in the salvation process.  I will continue this message to the day I die.  Those three words, Fervency, Diligence and Zeal have more to do that just our lives in the salvation process and the elements we find there.  They have to do with our very worship of God.  In fact, the more we worship God, the more we seek relationship with Him.  As you are going to see, the more we worship God, the more He seeks deeper relationship with us.

Those three words are talking about intensity.  The purpose of this sermon is to encourage all of us to bring continual intensity to our worship of God.

Manifest intensity.

You have your sheet of words before you. Let us review that list of words.

Fervent --Intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm.  Hot, burning, glowing

Intense --High or extreme degree.  Very great strength, keenness.  Strong emotions.

Ardor --Great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion.  Intense devotion, eagerness or enthusiasm; zeal.

Effectual --Producing or capable of producing an intended effect.

Hasting --Urgent need of quick action; in a hurry or rush.  Swiftness of motion and speed.

Diligent --Constant in effort to accomplishing something.

In Spirit --To infuse [introduce; penetrate; instill] God's Holy Spirit into what you do.  This infusion process takes place before the physical action.  It takes place in the mind or heart.

Zealous --Full of zeal.  Ardently active and devoted [intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic].  Diligent.

Waxed Strong --Waxed means increase.  So waxed strong has the meaning of getting stronger and stronger.

2 Samuel 3:1 (example of “waxing”)
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

With this scorecard before you, let us get into the intensity of God's Word.  We will begin with the key verse for our discussion.  We will be spending much of the sermon with this verse.

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We will begin with the Barnes Notes commentary:

God is A spirit - This is the second reason why men should worship him in spirit and in truth. By this is meant that God is without a body; that he is not material or composed of parts; that he is invisible, in every place, pure and holy. This is one of the first truths of religion, and one of the [most sublime] ever presented to the mind of man. Almost all nations have had some idea of God as gross or material, but the Bible declares that he is a pure spirit. As he is such a spirit, he dwells not in temples made with hands Acts 7:48, neither is worshipped with men’s hands as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things, Acts 17:25. A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as he seeks - the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body - the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips. ~Barnes Notes

Quoted verses:
Acts 7:48
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 17:25
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Let me read that last sentence of the commentary again:  "A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as he seeks - the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body - the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips."  "The offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body."  "The homage of the heart rather than that of the lips."  This is talking about the highest levels of human communication, which we have discussed several times.  Let us review the top two levels of communication; Levels 4 and 5:

Level 4: Sharing Values & Feelings
And so we progress to level 4.  Now it gets scary.  We’re sharing what we feel.  What drives us.  Our hopes and our dreams.  This is where you start to become friends.  You’re really stepping out of the safe zone now.

Level 5: Sharing Intimacy & Confession

This is where it gets scary.  Now you start sharing the deepest part of who you are. This is a level most reserve for only God…and often He doesn’t even get it.

This is where we start really being intimate.  To share what we’ve done wrong, as well as the amazing things in our life.  This is where we really take a risk.

This is where we open our heart, mind and soul to the other person.  There are no secrets.  This is true intimacy.

That’s what Level 5 Communication is like: being completely open and honest, more than honest.  Sharing the deepest, scariest parts of you, knowing the risk and still deciding to be vulnerable. ~end quote from our document on the subject.

John 4:24 says we must worship God in spirit and in truth.  How could this not involve our opening our heart, mind and soul to God?  God may bless you with these high levels of communication and intimacy to show you what He seeks from you in worship.  Let us look at more commentaries on John 4:24.

God is a Spirit - This is one of the first, the greatest, the most sublime, and necessary truths in the compass of nature! There is a God, the cause of all things - the fountain of all perfection - without parts or dimensions, for he is Eternal - filling the heavens and the earth - pervading, governing, and upholding all things: for he is an infinite Spirit! This God can be pleased only with that which resembles himself: therefore he must hate sin and sinfulness; and can delight in those only who are made partakers of his own Divine nature. As all creatures were made by him, so all owe him obedience and reverence; but, to be acceptable to this infinite Spirit, the worship must be of a spiritual nature - must spring from the heart, through the influence of the Holy [Spirit]: and it must be in Truth, not only in sincerity, but performed according to that Divine revelation which he has given men of himself. A man worships God in spirit, when, under the influence of the Holy [Spirit], he brings all his affections, appetites, and desires to the throne of God; and he worships him in truth, when every purpose and passion of his heart, and when every act of his religious worship, is guided and regulated by the word of God. ~Adam Clarke

Now, let us look at scriptures linked to our key verse of John 4:24

Linked to John 4:24

 For, "a Spirit":

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

1 Timothy 1:17 [see Lesson]
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

For, "Must: worship him in spirit and in truth":

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

Psalm 50:13-15
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 50:23
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Psalm 51:17 [see sermon, "B&C"]
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Matthew 15:8-9
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Now we will look at more scriptures teaching us to manifest intensity.

"In Spirit"

Proverbs 29:23 
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Commentary:

But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit - not who are humble in appearance only, or merely in words, having a show of humility, a voluntary and affected one; but really in their hearts; whose spirits are humble and contrite; who are so in spiritual things, and are made so by the Spirit of God: they are such who are truly sensible of sin; of their folly, and want of spiritual knowledge; of their impotence, and weakness to do anything that is spiritually good; of their spiritual poverty, and want of righteousness; who see that salvation is all of grace; and that whatever they have is owing to the grace of God; that they are deficient in all their duties, and these insufficient to justify them before God; who submit to the righteousness of Christ, and give all the glory of salvation to the grace of God. These, as they are honourable, being clothed with humility, which is itself an ornament of great price; so they are honoured with more grace from the Lord; they are beautified with the garments of salvation; they have the honour to have the spiritual and gracious presence of God, and fellowship with him, who dwells with such as are of an humble spirit: these are the meek and lowly, that shall inherit the new earth, and reign as kings with Christ in it; and the poor in spirit, to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs: and this honour is durable, they shall always abide in it; the grace they have, which makes them glorious, springs up unto eternal life; and the glory they shall have is an eternal weight of glory, a crown of glory that fadeth not away: for so the words may be rendered, "the humble in spirit shall lay hold on glory" or "honour"; possess it and enjoy it: or rather "shall retain" it; shall hold it fast. ~John Gill

 

Ecclesiastes 7:8 
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Commentary:

And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit - patience is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and is of great use in the Christian's life, and especially in bearing afflictions, and tends to make men more humble, meek, and quiet; and such are highly esteemed of God; on them he looks, with them he dwells, and to them he gives more grace; when such who are proud, and elated with themselves, their riches or righteousness, are abominable to him. ~John Gill

Isaiah 29:24 
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

Commentary:

Shall come to understanding - to a spiritual understanding of Christ, and salvation by him; of his Gospel, and the doctrines of it; as well as of themselves, their state and condition: ~John Gill

Shall learn doctrine - the doctrine of the Messiah; not the law, but the Gospel, which Christ "received" from his Father, as the word used signifies, and his disciples received from him, and the church has received from them, and has been transmitted to us Gentiles, and will be to the Jews in the latter day, who will learn the true knowledge of it. ~John Gill

Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Commentary:

Blessed are the poor in spirit - Not the poor in purse, or who are so with respect to things temporal: for though God has chosen and called many, who are in such a condition of life, yet not all; the kingdom of heaven cannot be said to belong to them all, or only; but such as are poor in a spiritual sense. All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy with; they are in debt, owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay; and in such a condition, that they are not able to help themselves. The greater part of mankind are insensible of this their condition; but think themselves rich, and increased with goods: there are some who are sensible of it, who see their poverty and want, freely acknowledge it, bewail it, and mourn over it; are humbled for it, and are broken under a sense of it; entertain low and mean thoughts of themselves; seek after the true riches, both of grace and glory; and frankly acknowledge, that all they have, or hope to have, is owing to the free grace of God. Now these are the persons intended in this place; who are not only "poor", but are poor "in spirit"; in their own spirits, in their own sense, apprehension, and judgment: and may even be called "beggars", as the word may be rendered; for being sensible of their poverty, they place themselves at the door of mercy, and knock there; their language is, "God be merciful"; their posture is standing, watching, and waiting, at wisdom's gates, and at the posts of her door; they are importunate, will have no denial, yet receive the least favour with thankfulness. Now these are pronounced "blessed", for this reason. ~John Gill

Luke 1:80 ...John the Baptist example
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Commentary:

Waxed strong in spirit - That is, in courage, understanding, and purposes of good, fitting him for his future work. The word “wax” means to “increase, to grow,” from an old Saxon word. ~Barnes Notes

Luke 2:40 ...Jesus our example
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Commentary:

And waxed strong in spirit - or in his soul; for as he had a true body, he had also a reasonable soul; the faculties of which were far from being weak, they were exceeding strong, and appeared stronger and stronger every day; his understanding was clear, his judgment solid, and his memory strong and retentive, his will, and the desires of it, were to that which is good, and his affections cleaved unto it. The Persic and Ethiopic versions read, "was strengthened in", or "by the Holy Spirit"; with the grace and gifts of it; but the former sense is best. ~John Gill

John 4:23 ...the verse just before our key verse for the day 
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Commentary:

But the hour cometh, and now is - The old dispensation is about to pass away, and the new one to commence. “Already” there is so much light that God may be worshipped acceptably in any place.

The true worshippers - All who truly and sincerely worship God. They who do it with the heart, and not merely in form.

In spirit - The word “spirit,” here, stands opposed to rites and ceremonies, and to the pomp of external worship. It refers to the “mind,” the “soul,” the “heart.” They shall worship God with a sincere “mind;” with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer; with a desire to glorify him, and without external pomp and splendor. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God, and where we do not depend on external forms for acceptance.

In truth - Not through the medium of shadows and types, not by means of sacrifices and bloody offerings, but in the manner represented or typified by all these, (see Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:24). In the true way of direct access to God through Jesus Christ.

For the Father seeketh - Jesus gives two reasons why this kind of worship should take place. One is that God sought it or desired it. He had appointed the old mode, but he did it because he sought to lead the mind to himself even by those forms, and to prepare the people for the purer system of the gospel, and now he sought or desired that those who worshipped him should worship him in that manner. He intimated his will by Jesus Christ. ~Barnes Notes

1 Timothy 4:12 [see Lesson]  
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Fervent in Spirit

Key Verse:
Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Notice the commentary:
Fervent - This word is usually applied to water, or to metals so heated as to bubble, or boil. It hence is used to denote ardor, intensity, or as we express it, a glow, meaning intense zeal, Acts 18:25. ~Barnes Notes

Quoted verse and I will read verse 24:
Acts 18:24-25
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

In Spirit - In your mind or heart. The expression is used to denote a mind filled with intense ardor in whatever it is engaged. It is supposed that Christians would first find appropriate objects for their labor, and then engage in them with intense ardor and zeal. ~Barnes Notes

2 Corinthians 7:7 
And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Commentary:
Your fervent mind toward me - Greek, ‘Your zeal for me.’ It denotes that they evinced [make evident; prove; show clearly] great ardor of attachment to him, and an earnest desire to comply with his wishes. ~Barnes Notes

James 5:16 
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Commentary:
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much - The words signify energetic supplication, or such a prayer as is suggested to the soul and wrought in it by a Divine energy. When God designs to do some particular work in his Church he pours out on his followers the spirit of grace and supplication; and this he does sometimes when he is about to do some especial work for an individual. When such a power of prayer is granted, faith should be immediately called into exercise, that the blessing may be given: the spirit of prayer is the proof that the power of God is present to heal. Long prayers give no particular evidence of Divine inspiration: the following was a maxim among the ancient Jews, the prayers of the righteous are short. This is exemplified in almost every instance in the Old Testament. ~Adam Clarke

1 Peter 4:8 
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Commentary:
Have fervent charity - Intense love; for love shall cover a multitude of sins. A loving disposition leads us to pass by the faults of others, to forgive offenses against ourselves, and to excuse and lessen, as far as is consistent with truth, the transgressions of men. It does not mean that our love to others will induce God to pardon our offenses. ~Adam Clarke

Have fervent charity among yourselves - Warm, ardent love toward each other. On the nature of charity, see the notes at 1 Corinthians13:1.  The word rendered “fervent,” means properly extended; then intent, earnest, fervent. ~Barnes Notes

Two verses showing how God will manifest fervency soon:

2 Peter 3:10 
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:12 
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Now there is a day to look forward to.  And you will be there as you manifest Intensity!!

   human nature, worldliness, Satan
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