Worship and the Ear of God

Worship is one of the most abused and misunderstood aspects of Christianity. Dr. Dave Hardy’s book, Worship and the Ear of God, cuts through the noise and confusion surrounding the subject of worship. In chapter two of his book, Dr. Hardy illustrates through the life of Abraham, that worship is predicated on a personal relationship with the Father.

Worship and the Ear of God

The following is an excerpt taken from chapter two of Worship and the Ear of God, Dave Hardy, The Global Baptist Times.

Right up front, I have to concede that I am convinced that biblical worship strengthens and deepens our relationship with the Father. This is not to discount the benefits of prayer, praise, or other acts of love, which are many. Like any good father, our Heavenly Father wants to hear from His children. I am always glad to hear from my son. He may ask me if I can help him with a project or if he can borrow a tool. He may call just to ask my thoughts on a particular situation. There have been many of those occasions, and I was always happy to be involved.

In addition to that, however, I highly treasure the many notes he has written. Some were on Father’s Day, often in the flyleaf of a book. At other times, it was a letter for no particular occasion. The notes were about what I had meant to him as a dad. I am aware that I fell short many times, but he always had something to say about a benefit that was his because of me. I still have those notes, many written years ago.

My point is this: all of God’s sons and daughters have needs, and He is very accommodating. He is the one and only Father who has it all. But shouldn’t there be a special time when we honor Him for Who He is? We cannot buy Him a book or send Him a letter, but is there something He would treasure that we can give? There is. We can pray to Him, and we can praise Him, but we will never be closer than when we worship Him. When we kneel before Him, it is a one-on-one time with everything and everyone else closed out. We can gain God’s attention in effectual prayer and praise, but if you want that special closeness, choose worship. You may find that you have His ear more than ever before.

Abraham’s example of worship

Abraham had that special relationship with God. He is the first person to whom the word worship is ascribed. What we learn from him—as a person, from his family, and from his dealings with God—is of immeasurable value. I never tire of reading about his pilgrimage and the myriad lessons to be learned from him. Abraham certainly had the ear of God, and part of that may be because God had Abraham’s ear. When God spoke to him in Genesis 12 about leaving all that he had known, Abraham was listening.

God did not always respond to Abraham within a moment’s notice. However, He always did respond, and His response was never too late to serve the better purpose. Isaac may have been a long time in coming, but he came, nonetheless. Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He spoke to Abraham about it, and Abraham interceded for the people living there. Abraham asked God if He would spare the city if fifty righteous people could be found. God listened and honored that request. Unfortunately (you know the rest of the story), fifty righteous people could not be found! A lengthy exchange ensued between Abraham and God as the number was reduced, little by little, all the way down to ten. Abraham had God’s ear at every step, and God responded positively to every request.

Abraham’s relationship with God

If you are familiar with the biblical account of Abraham and his conversations with God, you know there was something special in their relationship. In spite of this, the biblical account makes it plain that Abraham had a number of failures in his life as well. I simply mention this to remind us that God did not require perfection of him. But a cursory reading of Genesis 12 and other sections of Scripture reveals that Abraham was committed to building altars to meet with God (Gen. 12:7, 8; 13:4; 22:9). Altars are for sacrifice and worship.

It was Abraham’s relationship with God that gained him a hearing—not his much speaking, like that of the heathen as recorded in Matthew 6:7. That passage is reminiscent of I Kings 18:21—40 with its account of the standoff between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. They cried unto Baal all morning with no response. At noon Elijah mocked them and their god. They continued their antics until the time of the evening sacrifice, yet it gained them nothing. Then Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord—a place for sacrifice and worship. Following that, he spoke for approximately thirty seconds, and the fire fell and consumed the sacrifice.

One of the most amazing statements about Abraham is found in James 2:23. The Bible says, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

Are you God’s friend?

I am thankful that I have many friends. Some are as close as family to me. However, I cannot bring myself to claim to be known as the friend of God. I would like this to be said of me, but only He can give that distinction. On the other hand, He has certainly been a Friend to me.

One major characteristic of friendship is communication. Each has the other’s ear. Abraham’s faith is well noted and certainly holds a place in his relationship with God and having God’s ear. However, do not miss the fact that Abraham’s faith required an object. That object was God. God was his substance of things hoped for when there was no visible evidence. Let’s say it this way: Who God was and What God was were enough for Abraham. We all face times in life when God is the only One who can help us. What is the ear of God worth then?

The act of worship demonstrates worth

Another account of worship and someone having access to the ear of God is found in Matthew 15:21-28. When Jesus entered the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, a woman approached Him concerning her daughter who was “…grievously vexed with a devil.” In verses 23 and 24, she was unable to get a hearing from Jesus or His disciples. In verse 25, she “worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.” Still her request was unanswered, but she had gained a hearing. Jesus then explained to her that He was sent primarily to the Jews and that it wasn’t right for Him to deviate from that work.

The example He used was that of a man taking food from his kids and feeding the dogs. It was a picture of the household pet hanging around for scraps. She agreed but reminded Him that the dogs got the leftover crumbs that fell from the table. Here, then, was a great revelation of her evaluation of the Lord. The act of worship had already illustrated His worth to her, but another dimension was added when she basically said, “You are so powerful that I do no need much. Just a crumb from You would be more than enough to meet my daughter’s need.”

When a leper threw himself at Jesus’ feet and worshipped Him, He responded by healing the man immediately (Matt. 8:2,3). Jairus, a synagogue official, worshipped the Lord, and He raised his daughter from the dead (Matt. 9:18-25). Jesus readily received worship and responded to it.

God seeks people to worship Him

As in the story of Abraham, what the Lord could and would do was premised on who and what He was. He commended the aforementioned woman for her great faith, but that great faith could only be possible when based on a great God. Keep in mind that people respond to, and are drawn to, things or people whom they like and whom they desire. God seeks people to worship Him (John 4:23).

The Global Baptist Times

Worship and the Ear of God is published by Global Baptist Times. Click here for more information on the Global Baptist Times or to check out their other resources.

 

From Faces to Family

Why Heartland? That’s a good question and one that has many answers. It’s a question I was asking myself on March 18, 2015, during College Days at Heartland Baptist Bible College. It was a Wednesday night, and I was sitting in the balcony. That night was my first service at Southwest Baptist Church. I was a senior in high school, trying to figure out God’s will for my life. I flew out by myself from Virginia for College Days, and I had been in Oklahoma City less than six hours. Now, you’ve got to understand, my home town could fit on the ground floor of this auditorium, so, sitting up there in the balcony that night, I was nervous. 

Everything was so new to me. I still remember that first service. I remember the congregational singing and listening to the voices ring in the building. It was incredible. Bro. Mast had the choir sing “Jesus Saves.” Pastor Gaddis preached an awesome message. I remember thinking: “This is amazing.” 

The church was bigger than anywhere I had been in a long time. I remember looking out over the ground floor and just seeing people, and more people. It was like a sea of faces. I didn’t know anybody. God brought me to Heartland that fall and I became a member of Southwest Baptist Church. I began watching the members of Southwest, and I learned much about ministry. Many of those faces became mentors. I would like to introduce you to a few of them and share some of the lessons I learned. 

One of my mentors from freshmen year is the Director of Primary Church, Bro. Zack Hudson. Since this ministry involves working with first and second graders, half of the time he preaches and the other half he tries to make them sit still. That year, I learned the importance of patience and faithfulness from Bro. Zack because much of the seed he sows won’t bear fruit until several years down the road. But someone has to lay a foundation. I learned the importance of faithfulness — even when there may be little fruit to show, and you wonder if the kids are even listening.  

I joined bus my Sophomore year and got to know Brian Moseley. Brian Moseley is the bookstore manager at Heartland, but he is also the captain of Bus 6. While we were on the route, Bro. Moseley would always run to the door so the bus wouldn’t be late coming to church. When I offered to give him a break and be the runner, he said no. He wanted the parents of the bus kids to see a consistent face every Sunday. I learned the importance of consistency — even in the little things that no one may ever see. 

I love the consistency between Southwest and Heartland because they are unified and connected with each other. A student hears about ministry at Heartland, and then they see it at Southwest. On Tuesday, a student may listen to Greg Smith teach Children’s Ministries. On Sunday, you can watch him preach in Super Church. Seth Bailey, the youth pastor, teaches youth classes at Heartland. David Pirkle, the outreach director, teaches Personal Evangelism. The teachers live what they teach, and the students get to see that at Southwest. Southwest lives what Heartland teaches. 

Junior year, God put Kevin Culver in my life. Kevin Culver is the church mechanic and has been my boss for a couple of years. I remember one cold winter day, over a year ago, Bro. Kevin had a lot to do that day, and I could tell he was a little stressed. A man came by and started working on his car outside the shop and he needed help. A little while later, I saw Bro. Kevin, outside in the cold, helping him. I learned that day that ministry is not a to-do list, the ministry is people. I think lessons like that are the most powerful when they are lived; not just taught. 

My testimony would not be complete without mentioning my adopted mother, Anna Williams. She has shown me what a godly wife and mother looks like. Almost every Sunday during my time here, she has prepared a home-cooked meal for a bunch of hungry college guys. I have learned what it means to love sacrificially. Their family has become a home away from home. The kids will run up and give me a hug when they see me. I’m nobody special–this is just one example of the love that Southwest has for the students that God brings to them. 

Southwest loves the students of Heartland. I am so grateful for the investment of Southwest Baptist Church in my life. They have been a wonderful example. I can honestly tell you that it has changed my life. I love this church. I feel like Paul when he wrote in Hebrews 11:32, at the end of the hall of faith: “And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson…” Time fails me today to tell of the Wright family, and the Owen family; the Painters, the Lees, the Logues, and the Trimbles. I could literally go on and on. There are so many examples I’m leaving out. Four years ago, from the balcony, I saw faces — now…I see a family.  

The Future of our Future

Youth ministry is about the future — the future of our Baptist heritage, the future of our churches, the future of our colleges, the future of everything we value and believe to be important.

The future of all that is what makes Youth Ministry so important — perhaps the most important ministry.

I doubt anyone would take issue with the importance of training our future youth workers. We don’t hesitate to put forth effort and funds to see to it that our next generation of youth pastors and youth pastors’ wives are prepared to take their place in our churches.

We want them to have a solid philosophy of ministry, a clear doctrinal perspective, and a burning desire to see souls saved and lives changed through the preaching and teaching of a rightly divided use of His Word

We must have youth workers who are committed to the Bible and the church.

We must have youth workers who know why we are Baptists and how we got here.

They must know why we must be planted firmly in those beliefs that distinguish us from Protestants and the “non-denom” churches that are growing in size and influence all around us.

There is no option!

We must have well-prepared, God-loving men who are ready to take their place alongside the pastors in our churches. The future is at stake — and the future of our future.

Here’s what I mean:

The future sits in those metal folding chairs listening to that nervous young man preach or teach.

The future of our “movement” lies past those youth workers that we want to see trained to serve the Lord.

The future is sitting in those chairs, riding on those busses, playing basketball, and having fun at summer camp.

The next pastor, Bible college professor, missionary, deacon, Sunday School teacher, giver, and faithful church member is right now under the influence of our future youth workers.

They are the future of our future.

Why is it so important that our youth pastors be grounded in His Word and be Baptist through and through? They hold in their hands the future of our future — right there — right in those seats.

That eighth-grade boy who seems to have no interest — and even less aptitude — under the ministry of a caring youth pastor could be the godly preacher of the Word in the not too distant future.
That high school girl, who is being pulled toward a life of compromise and regret, under the influence of a loving youth pastor’s wife could grow to be a godly wife, mother, and servant of the Lord.

It may not be easy to see right now, but there they all are. All of our preachers, teachers, missionaries and faithful church members could be listening right now to a young man, or young woman who was properly trained to take on the challenge of youth ministry.

It’s big, is it not? Bigger than we realize. The future of our future!

I am personally endeavoring to keep that in mind as I have a small part in training the next generation of youth workers. It’s about the future, theirs and ours.

Ted Inman

Assistant Pastor | Southwest Baptist Church

To learn more about the Youth Ministry Program at Heartland Baptist Bible College, click here!