As we continue to think about the Heart of Worship, I want you to think about what King you are following. Today there are many kings wanting to lead and are leading. They all have a kingdom to offer you but is it the right kingdom? In todays church there is very little talk of repentance because these kings do not want to offend their subjects. Sadly in the end you will have the church of lemming, which will lead you right off a cliff. Myth or not I think you get my point. Jesus said, Mark 1:15 “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” So since sin and repentance is not part of the modern church, then it is fair to say that the kingdom is not near. Let me take this a step further. Most churches are not casting out demons probably because most do not believe they are still present. Many churches are still waiting for Jesus to return to show them how. Oddly somewhere along the line the demons vanished. That is strange because Jesus gives us all authority and that includes casting them out. Jesus said, “Matthew 12:28 “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Most churches are not even close to seeing this happen. So if the true Kingdom is to be present with us then we had better be following the right King. A return to the heart of worship is a return to our King. Too many Christians are not willing to follow their King, the one from David’s lineage and go off looking for someone that meets their needs. They continue to look for the Kingdom of Narcissist. That is not how it works but there are many willing to feed you delicacies. Proverbs 23 says, “Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.” There is only one king to follow and He is Jesus Christ. If we say we follow Him, then we do what he says according to his word. Too many kings are writing their own ways and many are following. But what will they do in the end when they stand before the truth? Our job as preachers to is to point to our king not to ourselves.

            The question I have today is; are you looking for Jesus the true king? Are you willing to drop everything and search for him like the magi?  Matthew 2:2  “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” From the east they went on this journey and searched for him but what about all the people who were right there. Matthew 2:4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” They knew so why were they not searching. Sadly there are many who are so desperate to lead they will try to kill the Messiah so they can rule.

            Later on we see some who where searching. John 1:41 “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).” We also see someone who was waiting for the Messiah. Luke 2:25 “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

            Jesus asked Simon Peter in Matthew 16:5 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Who do you say Jesus is? Is He your King and are you His subject. Will you serve your king with your life or do you expect Jesus to serve you? Be careful who you are following and willing to lay your life down for. 2 Peter 3:3 “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” Matthew 24:23 “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (By the way the Toronto Blessing and those connected to it is an example of this) Make sure you are following the King and not someone trying to elevate himself or herself like Haman did. I will let you read that story in Esther for yourself.

Prayer: Am I following the right King? Ask for discernment. Micah 4:1 [The Mountain of the Lord] “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.”