CHURCH WORSHIP
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
CHURCH WORSHIP
INTRODUCTION
Does the word of God regulate the collective worship of the saints? Or, can Christians do just about anything they can dream up? Is there a pattern to be followed? Is there a true way to worship God? If so, are other ways to be regarded as false or vain worship?
I. GOD ORDAINED THAT CHRISTIANS ASSEMBLE.
A. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS “CAME TOGETHER” AT REGULAR TIMES.
1. Acts 2:44; 4:31; 11:26; 12:12; 14:27; 20:7,8 2. 1 Cor.5:4; 11:17-20,33,34; 14:23,26-34 3. Heb.10:25; Jas.2:2
II. GOD ORDAINED THAT HIS PEOPLE WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.
A. WORSHIP CAN BE IN VAIN.
Mk.7:7; Matt.15:9; Jno.4:20-22; Col.2:18-23; Acts 17:23-25
B. TO WORSHIP IN TRUTH REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD.
1. God has spoken about His requirements for worship.Jno.4:24
2. God’s word is truth. Psa.119:30,142,151; Eccl.12:10; Mal.2:6; Jno.1:17; 3:21; 8:32; 17:17; Rom.2:8; 1 Cor.5:8; 2 Tim.2:15,18; 3:7
C. TO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT REQUIRES A PROPER, RESPECTFUL ATTITUDE.
1. We must approach God with reverence and godly fear. Heb.12:9, 28; Psa.89:7; Rom.12:11; Matt.21:37
III. WHAT WE OFFER GOD MUST BE IN HARMONY WITH HIS WILL.
A. GIVING - generously and cheerfully. Acts 2:42; 1 Cor.16:1-3; 2 Cor.9:7; “fellowship” is sharing. Phil.1:5; 4:15-17
B. SINGING - with grace in the heart, vibrating the heart strings with inward melody. Col.3:16; Eph.5:19; Heb.2:12
C. PRAYER - with sincerity and fervency. 1 Tim.2:8; Acts 2:42
D. LORD’S SUPPER - remembering Jesus’ body and blood that made our salvation possible. Matt.26:26f; 1 Cor.11:17-34; Acts 20:7
E. PREACHING. TEACHING, & LISTENING - with respect and attentiveness. Neh.8:1-8; Acts 15:13; 2:14,42; Dan.9:6; Jer.35:15; 29:19; 2Tim.4:2-4; Jas.1:21; 1 thess.2:13
IV. THE ASSEMBLY IS REGULATED WITH GOOD ORDER AND SUBMISSIVENESS.
A. IT IS DESIGNED TO EDIFY. This involves instruction and clarity of communication in ideas. Eph.4:12,16,29; 1 Cor.14:3,5,12,26
B. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY HUMBLE, SUBMISSIVE BEHAVIOR. There can be no struggles for power, prestige, or position.
1. Submissive to God and His word. Jas.4:7; Rom.10:3
2. To elders or overseers. Heb.13:17
3. The younger to the older. 1 Pet.5:5
4. To each other. Eph.5:21
Conclusion: God has ordered the church as to its worship, and we had best follow the pattern. Society is pressuring churches to conform and adopt and accept various forms of entertainment and performances. There is a growing desire for the dramatic. The show is performance oriented. The glory goes to the performers. Let Christ be exalted, let worship adhere to the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus, and let us not fret to compete with denominations that have no boundaries as to what they will do in the name of “worship”. We must follow the pattern of scripture or God is not honored.
QUESTIONS:
1. Has God always just left it up to man as to how He should be worshipped?
2. Is everything that sounds good to us acceptable to God too?
3. Does God have any limitations as to what He will accept as a form of worship?
http://www3.sympatico.ca/henkf
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