Harp and Bowls

Topic: Harp and Bowls

Text: Revelation 5:8-14

Rev Renny Khoo

10 Sept 2017

Rev 5:8-14

 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song:"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang:"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!"

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14 The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshipped.

Harp (Praise & Worship) and Bowls (Prayers)

This familiar and beautiful passage of Scripture (Revelation 5:8-14) gives us a glimpse of the worship that takes place in heaven that is also placed side by side with intercession, likens to a marriage between worship and prayer. The harp symbolizes praise and worship, and the bowls of incense symbolize the prayers of the saints. The prayers that come out from our hearts are not in vain because God collects and puts them in golden bowls of incense. In the great old days (Exodus 35), we started by having the Tabernacle of Moses which only the high priests were permitted to enter. In the days of King David, he brought in a new order of worship where the presence of God resides in the Ark of the Covenant above which he set a Tent (the Tabernacle of David) and when dancing, clapping, rejoicing and singing came into place. When Jesus came, he fulfilled the requirements of the Tabernacle of Moses once and for all, the Great Sacrifice replacing all animal offerings and sacrifices. We get a glimpse of this new order of worship when we read through the book of Psalms. There are prophecies that say God is going to restore the House of David in the last days. There is a reason why we begin all our worship services with praise & worship. Before we begin worship, we call one another to worship! When we gather for meals, we call one another to eat. Worship and corporate prayer are intricately related.

1.         God’s Presence is our focus [Presence vs. Petition]

When church prays, the real focus is on what is exactly in God’s heart. When we worship God, it tutors and aligns our heart to focus on Him. Worship ushers us into God’s presence. When God’s presence is our focus, God’s presence means there is change. It is through corporate prayer that we get to experience the manifest presence of God. He is omnipresent (everywhere). God is worthy to receive praise and worship. What are we driven by when we come for corporate prayer? Do we just come with a shopping or Christmas wish list and our petitions? Do we seek God’s face or God’s hand? When we come to honor and worship God, we want His presence, not just petitions. It is in God’s presence that He will show us our rightful petitions that are in His heart.

“God shows what He wants, we stand and ask, and God acts from heaven: this is true prayer, and this is what we must see fully expressed in our prayer meetings.” – Watchman Nee in “Gather in the Name”.

2.   God’s Presence means change is present. [Change in situations vs. change in atmosphere – transformation]

When we come and pray together, we want to seek God’s presence. God’s presence is our focus. When God’s presence is there, change is present. We want to see changes in our spouses, families, nation, etc. We all want changes but we all do not want to change. For great change to take place, the first change that should take place is within ourselves. We ought to be the change we want to see. Change is temporal or temporary. There is a difference between change and transformation. Chameleons change color temporarily (to protect themselves) while butterflies change from egg to larvae to caterpillar to pupae to butterfly permanently (experience transformation through a process called metamorphosis). When God is present, transformation is inevitable. Some places have negative vibes while others have good atmosphere or positive vibes. There is something about the atmosphere. When God is present, there is a change in the atmosphere and that atmosphere changes us as well. Transformation is a dimension shift when change is made permanent. We should not come with our own agenda and seek His endorsement. When we come with an agenda totally in line with His will, He will show us His thoughts. Romans 12:12. There is a call to come for corporate prayer. Some say, “I don’t know how to pray for Malaysia.” We don’t want to come in a very presumptuous manner. We don’t want to pray as if we’re twisting His fingers. We want to first seek His face and worship Him. In God’s presence, our hearts are tutored and our minds renewed. Come not only for 1 day or just for these 21 days. Teaching prayer is like teaching someone to swim. Just come and pray. That’s how we grow in prayer. God hears our heartbeat. Even language has limitations. There is a place for tears and silence in prayer. Tongue speaking can be a language of prayer. God is bigger than all of that. Let’s come every week and pray together. In 2 Chronicles 20:1-20, King Jehoshaphat of Judah sent praise and worship team instead of soldiers to war! Before the battle started, they sang and gave thanks to the Lord! Only the second tier was the army while the first tier was the praise team. The result was that the enemies fought and killed one another. It took Judah 3 days just to collect the spoils of war. The power of praise and worship, and seeking God’s face whenever we come together to pray!

God's presence is our focus. Presence Vs Petition 

David set a new order of worship when he set up a tabernacle where more people could come forth to worship and through his psalms, there were a lot of clappings.

God will restore the house of worship in the last days. Worship is not limited to songs, it includes our work, services, our doing and being. We always start with praise and worship. 

Calling of one another to Worship

Praise and Worship

This is the beginning of a service, our coming together.

Worship and corporate prayers 

Through corporate prayers, we get to the heart beats and presence of God. Although God is omnipresent, but we are the one who are not tuned in to Him. 

Seek God's face, His presence

Thy Kingdom and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

True prayer begins with the heart of God. Him pouring out His desires to us and reviewing to us what is in His heart and we asking Him for it to come to pass. 

God's presence means change is present.

We all want Changes but we all do not want to change. 

God's presence means change is present. 

Change in situations Vs Change in atmosphere 

Languages are very powerful. But there are times, languages are limited and unable to express ourselves before God.

2 Chronicles 20:1-20

Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon 

1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:

"O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no-one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

10 "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."


Questions:

1.         Share your questions/thoughts/experiences of God’s presence in your life.

2        Share your responses to the following statement made by Watchman Nee in “Gather in the Name: “True prayer begins at the heart of God, is made known to the hearts of men, is prayed back to God again, and God answers. This is more than a definition; it is, I believe, the principle of God’s working in the universe.”

3.       Share your resolve/action plan for growing in your confidence and participation in praying together with other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Praying Together

Praying Together
Matthew 7:7; 18:19
Rev Renny Khoo
3 Sept 2017

God hears our prayer because His spirit searches our hearts when we pray, while earnestness is imperative to prayer but the content is also important. We should mature and improve skills in prayer, pray knowing who we are in Christ Jesus.

Why pray together?
Nothing wrong with private prayer, but there is biblical basis and power in corporate prayer. 33/37 references of prayer in gospel, Jesus addressed prayer, YOU in  the “plural” setting. Matthew 7:7 & 18:19, refers and emphasize the importance of group praying together. Acts has also numerous examples of people praying together.

1. Why pray?
i) Establish afresh your relationship with God. Praying is more for our sake and not God’s sake. Asking deepen the relationship, because communication is involved in relationship. Emotional tank is filled when affirmation given in communication.

ii) Declare your full dependence on God. John 16 “ask and you will receive, and your joy will be completed”,  ask in context of your relationship with the Lord, not only when in need. The posture of asking should be in all season, not only when in need. Learn talking to God. Learn to pause and ask and not making decision quickly. Sharpening our ear to hear Him.

iii) Experience anew God’s presence. Just be there, the power of “presence”. Keeping company with God.

2. Why pray together? As a community of faith.
When praying together, it takes away the individualistic assumption that Christianity is only about God and me. As we participate in corporate prayer, we becomes aware that our lives are tied up with one another, we become aware of what is happening in the community of faith. Do you know the desires of the church both local and nationwide? When praying together, the desires of the churches across the nation become obvious and we cry to God together. When coming together, we learn to worship God and honor Him.

Conclusion
1. Corporate prayer is on par with preaching and teaching in a healthy church.
2. Take one step forward in your participation and confidence in corporate prayer.

Currently, West Coast Parish churches coming together in prayer, though there may be differences in language, style of prayer, but what is important is everyone is coming together to pray. An urge and invitation is again extended to all to come and join the corporate body in prayer. We must learn to put aside prejudices, unfamiliarity, preferred style of prayer, style of worship and choose to come. This will be an expression of unity. It is ok that we are not “perfect” because God is bigger than all. God loves His church.

Questions :

1. Share about your prayer life. Who and what do you often pray for?
2. What are some of your experiences praying corporately?
3. Prayer is about a relationship with God. It is about “keeping company” with God. What are some “harmful” practices to that relationship?
4. As a CG, refer to NECF booklet and pray together on some of the issues listed. End the session by praying over someone, make it short.

What others and God see in us

In life, some may walk, others may run, but remember the Lord gave the tortoise and the horse the same days to reach Noah's ark.

Your journey might be rough and tough but you will definitely get to your destination.

Jacob looked at Joseph and saw a good son!

The ten brothers looked at Joseph and saw a useless dreamer!

The travellers looked at Joseph and saw a slave!!

Potiphar looked at Joseph and saw a fine servant!!

Potiphar' s wife looked at Joseph and saw a potential boyfriend!

The prison officers saw in Joseph a prisoner!

 How wrong were all of them!

God looked at Joseph and saw a Prime Minister of Egypt in waiting!!

Don' t be discouraged by what people see in you!!

Be encouraged by what God sees in you!!

Never underrate the person next to you because you never know what the Lord has deposited in that person.


(Remember David got the anointing of becoming a King while he was a simple child herding sheep.

Esther was a simple orphaned girl yet she was a Queen in waiting).

Let's share God's love and make the world a better place to live.

Show that love by sharing this message with those you love.


IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW PEOPLE SEE YOU,

IT MATTERS HOW GOD SEES YOU


 God is God:
He doesn't care about age, no wonder he blessed Abraham.

He doesn't care about experience, no wonder he chose David.

He doesn't care about gender, no wonder he lifted Esther.

He doesn't care about your past, no wonder he called Paul.

He doesn't care about your physical appearance, no wonder he chose Zacchaeus
(the shortest one).

He doesn't care about fluency in speech , no wonder he chose Moses.

He doesn't care about your career, no wonder he choose Mary Magdalene; a prostitute.

All I know is that my God never changes

He never made a promise he wouldn't keep👌
He never saw a person he wouldn't help👌

He never heard a prayer he wouldn't answer👌

🖼He never found a soul he wouldn't love👌

He never found a sinner he wouldn't forgive👌

This is the kind of God I would like to commune with every day the moment I wake up.

What a privilege to belong to such a mighty God and call Him Abba Father.

Note :- I got this from Whatsapp message and thought it is worth to keep.

How to Study Old Testament

Tools :-

https://lumina.bible.org

To do word study, Strong's References

Praying with Passion

Praying With Passion
Lamentations 3:21-25
Pr Janice Chin

- very wide range of perceptions about prayer and what passionate praying looks like. What do you think of when you hear "prayer" or "prayer meeting"? And "passionate prayer"?

Four snapshots of Jesus’ most passionate moments of prayer: 
1. Praying with gratitude amidst sorrow and grief (John 11:33-42)
- Jesus gave thanks firstly not for the raising of Lazarus but for God hearing his prayer
- illus. of car broke down, your mechanic came to your aid, your response would be "thank you for coming" more than anything else, even before he has fixed your car (solved your problems)
- knowing God is always present with us in our sorrowful times

2. Praying for God’s will to prevail (Matthew 26:36-44)
- this was a very intense moment in Jesus' life; we may pray similar words as in v39 and v42, but Jesus really bore a tremendous burden that only he could know
- sometimes we pray and God performs miracles, other times He allows us to go through the hard situation rather than take us out of it
- dilemma between our preference and God's will, esp when we also want God's will!; even if we know a particular choice is God's will it is still painful, we want to turn and run in the other direction
- when we pray passionate prayers about God's will being done, it sometimes looks like this

3. Praying to forgive someone who hurt you (Luke 23:34)
- a huge challenge because of a strong sense of justice when wrongdoing is committed against us or someone we know
- Jesus teaches us to forgive as we have been forgiven, regardless the other part asks for forgiveness or deserves it or not
- often the people we need to learn to forgive are those closest to us; this is such a deep area of our hearts that only God can mend
- to pray with passion means to be willing to forgive as Jesus forgave, this is part of our discipleship

Jesus prayed his most passionate prayers in the hardest moments. Through these prayers we find the example and encouragement we need for our trying times, unbridled passion in our prayer life as we face adversity.

4. Praying in the absence of God (Mark 15:33-34)
 - there will be moments in your life when it feels God is absent - how to pray with passion then?
- think of Job. In his darkest, he challenged God, he brought his raw emotions to God. In fact he questioned God on His way of justice. "HOW COULD YOU? ARE YOU NOT RIGHTEOUS AND JUST?" These are audacious words we dare not say to God, but praying with passion involves pouring out our hearts.
- praying with passion does not only involve knowing the right things about God, ie right belief (what we term orthodoxy in the study of God), or doing the right things or knowing the right way to do things, ie right actions (orthopraxy), but more importantly it is about expressing the right emotions, ie right passion (orthopathy). Head + hands + heart.
- illus. some people are very good in their music theory and they can always play with correct notes and tempo, but their heart is not in their music. Passionate musicians are different. Similarly, we may pray the right words and in a style or method that is "correct", but our heart is not in what we're praying.
- Job expressed the right passion, although his friends "knew or said" the right things about God. His relationship with God was intimate enough (yada) that he prayed this way, e.g. Job 13:15

No prayer ever reaches God’s heart which does not come from our hearts.

How can we cultivate praying with passion?
The key to praying with passion is surrender. Surrender. All the four snapshots of Jesus' prayers we've looked at tell us this : surrender.

Not only our private prayer but also corporate prayer, "nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. Never do they love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each other's hearts in prayer" (Charles Finney).

Questions:
1) Have you ever prayed a heartfelt prayer to God? Share one moment you can recall.

2) Why did Pr Janice use the four Jesus snapshots to talk about praying with passion? Any of these relate to your own praying?

3) As a KKE CG and in your zone, what is one attitude you want to evaluate and commit to change together in these two months? How does it cultivate praying with passion (and more passionate corporate prayer)?