3.5. BE SPIRIT-FILLED -OFFER SEPARATED WORSHIP

Another characteristic of the drunkard is that he is only really happy in the company of his fellow drinkers. The old saying is very applicable to them: "Birds of a feather flock together." The New Testament, and experiences, reveal that Spirit-filled worshipers are supremely happy among their own kind. In fact, they are not at all comfortable among the worldly (unless they are witnessing). Neither are they at home among those who are merely religious. It is only in the company of their own people, that Spirit-filled people find release and fulfilment. They are indeed a separated people.

By separated worship, we do not infer that inward looking, holy, huddle clubs are required. Far from it. We mean that Spirit-filled people are marked as set apart to God in worshipful service, and find great joy in rendering the worship of life and lip together as the people of God. There is an excellent example in the events of Acts chapter four, that brings out the offering of separated worshipful service to God. We see worshipers set apart to glorify the Lord Jesus; set apart to reveal the Lord Jesus; set apart to obey the Lord Jesus; set apart to the people of the Lord Jesus.

Peter and John were imprisoned by the authority after the healing of the lame man at the Gate called Beautiful. Under the anointing of the Spirit, they had proclaimed to the crowd the power of the name of Jesus, giving glory to the risen Lord for the healing. Called before the Council and questioned as to what power and in what name the healing had been accomplished, they emphatically replied:

Acts 4:10 "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole."

They went on to challenge and affirm:

Acts 4:11-12 "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Perhaps this may be quite a different view of witnessing for Jesus, that sharing faith in the Lord Jesus is indeed an act of worship. It should not come as a surprise though, because witnessing glorifies Jesus, and worship is intended to do just that. Filled with the love of the Spirit, how can testimony be held back? Worship and service are wedded. Just as a man cannot help talking about the girl he loves, for in talking about her he reveals his adoration, and makes her known in the most delightful way to others. So the worshiper of Jesus gives glory to Him in conduct and conversation. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, and to be Spirit-filled is to be set apart to glorify Jesus.

The judges of Peter and John wanted a confession that the miracle on the lame man had been done in the name of Jesus. They got far more than they wanted from these Spirit-filled men. They were puzzled and embarrassed by their boldness and outspoken speech. The reason eventually dawned on them: "The men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13 ). When the whole personality of the worshiper is taken up with the Lord Jesus, His beauty and likeness is reflected upon the screen of the life of the worshiper. In the Spirit-filled worshiper, the Lord shines forth and is revealed to others. Even to the enemies of Christ He becomes apparent. Anyone drunken with the Holy Spirit will have Jesus recognized in his life.