Growing up I loved magic "tricks." I bought tricks from toy stores and "magic" shops and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Later, I became a professional ventriloquist and also used illusions as part of my performances. If an illusion is done right, it looks so real that most people are deceived into believing it is real. The same can be said of worship. There are many people and churches that look like they are worshiping God, but in reality, it is just an illusion. Some of the most depressing places that I have visited around the world have been churches--churches that give the appearance of worship. This chapter in Matthew has worship as its theme. In the first 20 verses, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of the day about their false worship. He quotes from the Old Testament. "These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." False worship is based on the teachings or traditions of man over the truths of Scripture. It is a focus on outward appearances rather than on hearts that are holy. Genuine worship is also illustrated in this chapter. The Gentile woman who followed Christ and worshiped Him did so with great faith--and Christ rewarded her accordingly. The multitudes worshiped Christ with great focus. Three days they remained with Jesus even though they had no food. They did not let external matters interfere with their desire to see, hear and be touched by the Lord. How is your worship today? Do you just follow the rituals set forth by others without a heart that truly longs to honor God? Or do you approach God with faith, believing in who He is and in what He can do? Do you have focus in your worship or are you easily distracted? Is your worship real or just an illusion?
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.
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