THE DIVINE WORSHIP LEADER

September 5

Bible Reading: Philippians 3

Philippians 3:3, “…who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”

This verse sets before us the nature of true worship as opposed to its inferior counterpart—the legalistic religiosity promulgated by the false teachers (Philippians 3:1-2).  True worship is by the Spirit.  The term “worship leader” is sometimes used to describe the person who leads the singing during the song services at church, but it is the Spirit of God who is the true and ultimate worship leader.  It is only by the Spirit—and not by the flesh (i.e., man’s religious doings)—that anyone can endeavor to worship God in an acceptable manner.

Worship is acknowledging God for who He is and what He does in what we say and what we do.  We were all created to worship our Creator, but sin has gotten in the way (Colossians 1:21).  Rebel sinners have no heart for worshiping God.  So, as A. W. Tozer once noted, Christ came to make worshippers out of rebels: “Why did Christ come?  Why was he conceived?  Why was he born?  Why was he crucified?  Why did he rise again?  Why is he now at the right hand of the Father?  The answer to all these questions is, “in order that he might make worshipers out of rebels; in order that he might restore us again to the place of worship we knew when we were first created.”

In order for worship to be acceptable to God, it must meet His requirements.  “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).  Worship must be “in spirit and truth.”  A person must first be “born of the Spirit” (John 3:6) if they are to worship in spirit (John 3:6).  They must be saved and given a new heart with a desire and capacity for it (John 6:63).  Only the “Fount of every blessing” can work to “tune (a) heart to sing (His) grace.”

The Spirit of God leads and empowers the believer in the worship of Christ.  Such is the purpose of His ministry: “When the Spirit of truth comes…He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-14).  It is the ministry of the Spirit to glorify the Son.  He opens spiritual eyes to behold the glory of the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 1:18-19; 3:14-19).  In His helping ministry He is ever always pointing a finger toward the Lord Jesus, bidding our hearts to gaze upon Him.  It is as the hymn puts it, “Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.”

The activities of worship would be impossible apart from the instructing and empowering ministry of the Spirit.  Prayer is of no avail if not “by the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20).  Indeed, the Spirit “helps us in our weakness for we do not know what to pray for as we ought” (Romans 8:26).  We cannot understand the Scriptures apart from the Spirit’s illumination (1 Corinthians 2:12).  It is the Spirit of God who alone can apply the Word of God to our hearts that we might lovingly obey and serve.  The fellowship we enjoy as believers is a “participation in the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1).  That same Spirit-dependence applies to every other aspect of worship.

Worship of God is the result when the believer is filled with the Spirit of God: “But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:16-17).  The believer is Spirit-led to worship 24/7 in every aspect of his life, not just once a week in a “worship service” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

There is a tendency for us to approach the matter of worship from an “outside-in” perspective.  We sometimes over-emphasize environmental factors—music, aesthetics, a charismatic preacher, etc.–with respect to their contribution to worship (1 Corinthians 2:3-4).  But the believer is in fact indwelt by a preeminently qualified worship leader who leads and empowers us in the worship of God and who is not limited in His ministry to a certain place or time.  The Holy Spirit is the ultimate worship leader.

“The Holy Spirit is the divine initiator at work in the depths of the human heart.  He transforms a person’s life so as to promote worship.” – John MacArthur

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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