PREACHING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2024:

Pastor Antonio Russo

ADORATION THAT BRINGS GLORY PART 3

We have reached the third part of our theme concerning "Adoration That Leads to Glory" and draws the presence of God. Therefore, we will continue by delving deeper into the difference between praise and adoration, recognizing that both involve our whole being: spirit, soul, and body. Being triune beings, we cannot adore God in a detached way; every part of us must participate in harmony, with the spirit touching the soul and the body manifesting this interaction. How many times have we found ourselves performing gestures in adoration without understanding their meaning? Now, we desire greater clarity because these realities are precious and help us live the experience of God's presence more deeply. We often associate adoration with the rhythm of songs, but it's not a matter of speed or style: adoration is about the heart, so it is essential to learn to respond to God's presence not with distracted gestures, but with our whole being. In adoration, miracles happen: physical healings, restorations, and even extraordinary manifestations such as the regeneration of organs or financial situations being unlocked. Such supernatural events, like the appearance of gold or precious stones during adoration, are not for our material benefit, but to reveal God's Majesty. Our part is to adore God with all our heart, and He will do His part, manifesting His glory and performing extraordinary works. We want to reach higher levels of adoration, certain that in His presence we are transformed from glory to glory, as Paul teaches in his letter to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 3:18; 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

God desires to lead us into a new dimension of His glory, a place where His presence remains constant, allowing us to live permanently in the manifestation of His Shekinah. When we dedicate a specific place to meet God, like a prayer room, that place becomes saturated with His presence, and anyone who enters immediately perceives His glory. In adoring God, we step into a dimension of glory that will radically transform our lives, making them a reflection of His Majesty. An example of living immersed in God's presence is Charles Finney, a great man of God from the 1800s. His life was a continuous testimony of divine glory: people were convicted of sin without him uttering a word, simply by being near him. We too are called to live in a way that carries God's glory everywhere not as an occasional experience, but as a constant reality. God's glory manifests when we adore Him with our entire being, establishing a level of His presence that continually grows, from glory to glory and from faith to faith, as part of our spiritual journey. To live this reality, it is essential to understand how to adore God. Scripture teaches that God does not seek adoration but adorers those who adore Him "in spirit and in truth". We cannot control or limit what God does, but we must learn to let go of our worries and trust Him completely. To grow in God's presence, we must maintain a humble heart, as the Scriptures teach in the Gospels.

James 4:6; 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Humility enables us to learn from the Holy Spirit and prepares us to live a life of eternal adoration. To better understand the differences between praise and adoration, it is essential to establish some solid foundations. Praise is the proclamation of God's greatness, while adoration is about the attitude of the heart. Often, adoration is mistakenly associated with slow songs and praise with fast songs, but this is not accurate due to their distinct nature. As mentioned earlier, adoration is an act of the heart, while praise is about exalting and declaring who God is. The Bible provides us with a powerful image of this proclamation:

Psalm 48:1; 1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

In the entirety of Psalm 48, David shows us how Jerusalem, surrounded by mountains, became the center of adoration to God, where His power was proclaimed and feared by His enemies. During David’s reign, adoration was constant. On Mount Zion, David’s tent hosted singers and musicians who, for 33 years, day and night, never ceased to exalt God. This period symbolizes the earthly life of Jesus and inspires us to maintain continuous adoration in our lives. Proclaiming and declaring God’s greatness means using our mouths to speak of who He is and what He does. God desires to teach us to manifest an explosive adoration, as His people should know the shout of joy and rejoice in His presence. However, we will explore the theme of praise in greater depth on another occasion. For now, let us focus on adoration and delve further into its meaning. Adoration implies an act of reverence and deep respect, where the adorer lives in humility, acknowledging that only God can do all things. Bowing before the King of kings, we declare our dependence on Him in an act that involves our entire being. Adoration is not merely a gesture but a condition of the heart. Being adorers in spirit and truth, as Jesus taught, is key to keeping God’s presence alive in our lives. Spiritual revival begins within us and then spreads to the community, drawing strength from an authentic life of adoration that keeps the fire burning. Adoration requires time and dedication; it cannot be treated as a fleeting moment but invites us to pause and wait, immersing ourselves in God’s glory and allowing the Holy Spirit to work deeply within us. Spiritual hunger keeps us in a dimension of glory because, without a desire for God, we cannot grow in His presence. A spiritually healthy life always yearns for more of His touch. Our manner of adoration reflects an inner attitude, which is also expressed through the body. In Scripture, both Hebrew and Greek terms describe adoration as a physical act. The Hebrew word stems from a root suggesting the act of kneeling before the King, expressing submission and humility. In Greek, the term "Proskunèo" combines the meanings of "toward" and "to kiss", describing a physical act of veneration, such as kissing hands or feet. This confirms that adoration is not merely spiritual but involves the body. The Syrophoenician woman, mentioned in Matthew 15, offers an example of adoration that drew Jesus' attention. Even after being ignored despite crying out His name, she adored by kneeling and asking for help. Her physical act reflected inner humility, demonstrating that adoration is not just about shouting but expressing a true attitude of reverence. Adoration manifests through our bodies, with physical postures, service, and sacrifice. It is an act born from a humble heart that gives itself without ulterior motives not to obtain miracles but to surrender entirely to our King.

Romans 12:1; I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

This implies that those who adore are also servants, because true adoration is not limited to contemplation but includes service. Before knowing Jesus, we sought to satisfy the innate need to adore by turning to something or someone, but only true adoration of God can fill the void within us. Jesus spoke about true and false adoration, and saying, "I’m not very emotional" cannot be an excuse. The most fulfilled people are adorers, those who dwell in God’s presence and adore Him with all their heart. You see, just as love is essential, so is adoration: we cannot live without adoration, just as God, being love, cannot help but love everyone unconditionally and without distinction. Now, let us observe the body postures we take on while adoring in His presence physical manifestations that express humility, respect, and reverence toward God. Each posture has its importance, not in terms of hierarchy, but in how it reflects the heart. Many people cross their arms in God’s presence, but this posture, which conveys closure, pride, and self-sufficiency, is not fitting for adoring Him, as it communicates an attitude of independence and detachment. Just as closed-off behaviors are visible, so are those of openness to God: crossing arms expresses closure, while opening them indicates readiness and receptivity in response to His presence. Now, let us examine the various body postures we can take when adoring God:

First posture: Clapping hands. Clapping hands is one of the simplest postures.

Psalm 47:1; 1 O clap your hands, all ye people;

When we clap our hands to God, we are not exalting His ego, for He is already great and almighty, but we give glory to His name. This is different from applause directed at men, such as famous artists: only God is worthy of our applause because He is our Creator and Redeemer. When we applaud for a testimony or a revealed word, we do so to glorify what God has accomplished, offering Him the adoration and glory that He deserves, and not to exalt people.

Second posture: Shouting with a voice of joy.

Psalm 47:1; 1 shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

When we cry out to God, we express our joy and enthusiasm for who He is.

Third posture: Dancing before the Lord. Dancing is a physical expression deeply tied to our adoration because it reflects the attitude of our heart.

2 Samuel 6:14; 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

David shows us an extraordinary example of authentic adoration, dancing with joy and humility before God, stripping himself of his royalty to exalt the Lord. His wife Michal criticized him and, as a result, she remained barren. However, David responded with determination, declaring that he would do even more to honor God. This episode teaches us not to judge those who express their adoration in ways different from our own, as dance, a meaningful posture, involves our entire being and deeply honors God.

Fourth posture: Bowing before the King of kings.

Exodus 4:31; 31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Bowing our face before the Lord is an act of humility and respect, a profound expression of adoration that requires no words but reveals the attitude of our heart. Just as in Eastern cultures, such as Chinese or Japanese, bowing is a sign of respect, in adoration we bow our heads as an act of humility before God, declaring our willingness to welcome Him and live in His presence.

Fifth posture: Lifting hands to the Lord.

Psalm 63:4; 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Raising our hands is an act of thanksgiving that grants us quicker access to God's presence. Giving thanks to God is a key to entering His presence, and we must do so with sincerity, acknowledging what He has done for us, especially through the sacrifice of Jesus. In Hebrew, “Todah” means thanksgiving, and every time we lift our hands, we are greeting the King of kings and expressing gratitude for His love.

Sixth posture: Spreading arms before God. Spreading our arms, unlike lifting hands as a sign of thanksgiving, is a gesture of welcome.

Psalm 143:6; 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.

When we open our arms, we are ready to receive, just as when we want to embrace someone. In the same way, by spreading our arms toward God, we express our openness to receive His love and presence, saying, "Lord, I am willing to receive all the love You have for me".

Seventh posture: Kneeling before the Father. Kneeling is an act of total submission, as we see in the Scriptures, where Solomon had a place built in the center of the courtyard specifically for this.

2 Chronicles 6:13; 13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

The Apostle Paul also prayed on his knees, as we read in the letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 3:14; 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Kneeling is an act that deeply acknowledges that God is our Lord, Creator, and Sovereign over all things, expressing humility and submission to His authority. One day, as Philippians 2:10-11 states, "every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord", but we do not want to wait for that day: we worship by kneeling today, declaring our total dependence on Him. Eighth posture: Prostrating with the face to the ground. The greatest act of adoration described in the Bible is prostrating with the face to the ground before God, expressing total dependence on Him, recognizing that without His strength, we can do nothing, and completely surrendering to His will. This act of adoration, which acknowledges our total surrender to His will, is the opposite of the independence that Adam and Eve sought in sin. It invites us to remain dependent on God at every moment of our lives.

All these postures, from clapping hands to prostration, teach us that adoration is not just a feeling, but an act that involves every part of us: spirit, soul, and body. In our hearts, the desire to be adorers who respond to God's presence with gratitude and humility must grow, recognizing that He is worthy of all our adoration and praise.