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The Hulk

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The Hulk is a fictional superhero appearing in publications by the American publisher Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of The Incredible Hulk (May 1962). In his comic book appearances, the character is both the Hulk, a green-skinned, hulking and muscular humanoid possessing a vast degree of physical strength, and his alter ego Dr. Robert Bruce Banner, a physically weak, socially withdrawn, and emotionally reserved physicist, the two existing as independent personalities and resenting of the other. Following his accidental exposure to gamma rays during the detonation of an experimental bomb, Banner is physically transformed into the Hulk when subjected to emotional stress, at or against his will, often leading to destructive rampages and conflicts that complicate Banner’s civilian life.

In the Biblical story of Cain and Abel it was Cains anger and rage which got the better of him. In fact, Cains assault upon his younger, twin brother, was actually an attack upon Abel’s worship. Cain wanted to control Abel; getting him to worship God his half-hearted way. The “hulk” of our soul man will seek to silence and intimidate the spirit man into submission. His bullying presence will seek to strong arm our worship into submission rendering it self-centered, and anemic. Yet the spirit man’s worship will go lower to ascend higher into the heavenly realms where they sit with Christ. You may ask, What is worship? Paul answers that question for us in Romans 12:1-2 when he states: I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Paul’s definition of worship would involve a dedication of your body to the Lord, holiness, obedience, non-conformity to the world’s standards of right and wrong, spiritual transformation, and an over-haul of your thought life. In essence it echoes the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with ALL…your mind, heart, soul (will, emotions and personality), and strength.An all inclusive package. True Biblical worship is a whole-hearted response to the Almighty Creator of the Universe. In the New Testament true Biblical conversion was exemplified by totally surrendering the entire self: Colossians 2:6-7 So then just as you received Christ, Jesus as Lord continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught. Paul’s assumption being that when an individual truly surrendered themselves to Jesus they had received and embraced Jesus as Savior, Master and Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Their conversion modeled their worship. Joshua encountersthe Captain of the Lord of Hosts after entering the Promised Land. Joshua’s response? He prostrated himself, burying his face in the desert sand, taking off his sandals, and worshipped. When Thomas saw the resurrected Christ he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Which is a phenomenal statement coming from a monotheistic Jew steeped in the Hebrew Shema. Interestingly enough many body postures that westerners struggle with today were actually commanded as part of the worship. It wasn’t optional. (that’s what a command is). For example in 1 Timothy 2:8 Paul commands the believers to raise holy hands to God. We know this is a command because of the word used at the very beginning, “Therefore…” A command always follows this part of speech. The psalmist exhorts and commands the people to clap their hands, be still, dance, shout, worship, sing, and give thanks. Our bodily posture demonstrates an “ALL” in our worship. Yet the highest reverence and worship we can give our Savior exceeds our songs and postures. What is it? Our faith-filled, surrendered obedience. It’s here that the true worshippers the Father seeks are separated from the “Bruce Banners.” From this position the threat of a hulk-like shadow, can’t impose Cain-like worship upon those who worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. These are the worshippers God the Father truly seeks.


Up-Lift!

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1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, ….without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], ….lifting up holy hands.

People are having face lifts, neck lifts, chin lifts, forehead lifts, mid-face lifts, eye lid lifts, lower face lifts, mini face lifts, to their bodies. But what about Christ’s Body? What would happen if we began focusing on a prayer lift? Following yesterday’s service Sister Linda Stalls had a wonderful idea: EDIFY!

Edify means to encourage, build up, comfort, or LIFT UP. Historically the Latin noun aedes, means “house” or “temple,” and at it’s root is the word aedificare, a verb meaning “to erect a house.” Generations of speakers built on that meaning, and by the Late Latin period, the verb had gained the figurative sense of “to instruct or improve spiritually.” The word eventually passed through Anglo-French before Middle English speakers adopted it as edify during the 14th century.

Linda’s challenge? “Choose one person, from our body, to pray for this week.  Ask Holy Spirit what He would have you say to that person to bring spiritual edification.  Keep notes as to what you feel Holy Spirit has given you.  It could be a word, a smile, a sentence, scriptures, a song, a psalm or whatever would come to your mind when you are praying. When we meet together on Sunday, share that edification with them. Doing this week to week  will give us opportunity for Holy Spirit to build up our body through His Spirit working through us. Let’s EDIFY!!”

In taking Linda’s challenge we will be lifting up the Lord’s House – His Body, His Church (that’s you and I). Jesus promises that when we lift Him up He will draw all people to Himself. John 12:32. Isn’t that what we want to see? Jesus in and through us – through His Church. Let’s take Linda’s challenge beginning “Operation Up Lift” and raise up our hearts, voices and hands to the Lord in Prayer asking for words, scriptures, smiles, cards, sentences, songs, psalms, and other creative ways that would and could express the love of the Father to a member of our church body.