{"id":8335,"date":"2021-06-02T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T14:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=8335"},"modified":"2021-06-03T09:01:24","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T14:01:24","slug":"the-greatest-invitation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2021\/06\/02\/the-greatest-invitation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greatest Invitation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-8335\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-8335-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-0\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>One of the most amazing truths we could ever contemplate is the idea that the Sovereign God of the universe would <em>invite\u00a0<\/em>us to come into His presence and to draw near to Him.\u00a0 The psalmist exhorts us to \u201c<em>Enter<\/em> his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!\u00a0 Give thanks to him; bless his name!\u201d\u00a0 Psalm 100:4<\/p>\n<p>According to Andrew Hill, we are called to a unique experience of worship as \u201cnearness to God.\u201d<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/B674D35D-669F-4744-9C74-940BC048FAFC#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Hill points out that there are a number of Hebrew verbs associated with the practice of Old Testament worship that are frequently used in the context of Israelite religious observance.\u00a0 Consider these words:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-1\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-1-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-8335-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-1-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li><em>bo <\/em>= \u201cto come, to enter\u201d (2 Kings 16:12-13; Psalm 100)<\/li>\n<li><em>halak<\/em> = \u201cto go, to walk\u201d<\/li>\n<li><em>nagash<\/em> = \u201cto approach\u201d (Lev 9:6-7; Num 4:19; Jer. 30:21; Exodus 19:10-15; Exodus 19:22; 20:21).<\/li>\n<li><em>qarab<\/em> = \u201cto draw near\u201d (Psalm 69;18; Psalm 73:28)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-8335-1-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-1-0-2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-2\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>The idea of \u201cdrawing near\u201d to God in worship implies an intimate relationship in spirit with the Lord.\u00a0 <em>Nagash<\/em> and <em>qarab<\/em>are used figuratively to signify intimacy in a loving relationship. (Gen. 20:4; Exodus 19:15; Deut. 22:14)\u00a0 \u201cDrawing near to God\u201d is more than simply getting close to Him.\u00a0 We have the most wonderful <em>invitation<\/em> to experience an intimate relationship with Him.<\/p>\n<p>Drawing near to God also implies <em>trusting in the Lord<\/em> (Zeph. 3:2).\u00a0 We are called to approach God with genuine heartfelt devotion, not just hollow lip service (Isaiah 29:13; Jeremiah 12:2).<\/p>\n<p>The invitation to come or draw near has a wonderful implication. God is <em>approachable<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>He invites his people to draw near to him so that they might live (Deut. 4:7; Isaiah 55:1,3).\u00a0 He draws near to all those who call on his name (Lam. 3:57; Psalm 34:17-18)<\/p>\n<p>This invitation is expressed in the New Testament as well.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>pr<\/em>o<em>serchomai<\/em> - \"to come or go near to\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cTherefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, <em>let us draw near<\/em>with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from and evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.\u201d Hebrews 10:19-22<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>engizo<\/em> - \"to draw near, to approach\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201c<em>Draw near<\/em> to God and He will draw near to you.\u201d James 4:8a NKJV<\/p>\n<p>While there are many worship songs which highlight the invitation to \u201ccome\u201d or \u201cto draw near,\u201d perhaps the most well-known \u201ccall to worship song\u201d is Brian Doerksen\u2019s <em>Come Now is the Time to Worship.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>**Footnotes:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/B674D35D-669F-4744-9C74-940BC048FAFC#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> Adapted from Andrew Hill, <em>Enter His Courts With Praise: Old Testament Worship for the New Testament Church<\/em> (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993, pp. 8-9.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-3\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-3-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-4\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><u>COME NOW IS THE TIME TO WORSHIP<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">Brian Doerksen<\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Come, now is the time to worship<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Come, now is the time to give your heart<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Come, just as you are to worship<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Come, just as you are before your God, Come<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">One day every tongue will confess You are God<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">One day every knee will bow<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Still the greatest treasure remains for those<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Who gladly choose You now<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a91998 Vineyard Songs (UK\/Eire)<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-5\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-5-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-8335-5-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">How shall we respond to the greatest invitation?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-6\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-6\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-6-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-6-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-6-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-7\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-7\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-7-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-7-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>This article is part of Discipleship Ministries' 2021 emphasis on Worship. If you are interested in learning more about this emphasis,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/worship\/\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">check out the new webpage.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you would like to join the conversation or reach out to Wes, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/3604520819636012\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">check out the Facebook group<\/a>\u00a0for IPHC Worship Leaders!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-8\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-8\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-8-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-8-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-8-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-8335-9\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-8335-9\" ><div id=\"pgc-8335-9-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-9-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-8b5b6f678277-8335\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/10\/Wes-Tuttle-Circle-Headshot.png\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/10\/Wes-Tuttle-Circle-Headshot.png 500w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/10\/Wes-Tuttle-Circle-Headshot-270x270.png 270w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/10\/Wes-Tuttle-Circle-Headshot-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" title=\"Wes Tuttle Circle Headshot\" alt=\"\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-8335-9-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-8335-9-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"13\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-8335-9-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Dr. Wes Tuttle is an accomplished worship leader, musician, and songwriter. Dr. Tuttle\u2019s songs have been recorded by influential worship leaders like Don Moen, Paul Wilbur, Bob Fitts, John Chisum, Aline Barros, Robin Mark, Juanita Bynum and Judy Jacobs. Wes is an ordained minister and holds an A.A. in Music and a B.A. in Religion from Emmanuel College.\u00a0 He holds an M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University and a M.A.R. with a concentration in Cross-cultural studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty Theological Seminary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":8336,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1,1325],"tags":[1308,1404,16,1031,1422,570,1311],"class_list":{"0":"post-8335","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-discipleship-ministries","8":"category-general","9":"category-worship","10":"tag-1308","11":"tag-article","12":"tag-discipleship","13":"tag-discipleship-ministries","14":"tag-the-greatest-invitation","15":"tag-worship","16":"tag-worship-emphasis","17":"entry"},"title_es":"","content_es":"","author_name":"Wes Tuttle","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/DM_2021_Q2.2_ArticleGraphic-1.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4T9u2-2ar","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}