Worship and the Church (4) Worshipping God in Truth New Testament Church 2017

Worship Worship involves showing due reverence as well as following God’s instructions. Worship is about God (John 4:24) We must worship with purity of heart and proper motives Each act of worship involves the heart

Worship in truth God has always demanded we worship properly He has given us pattern, from the very beginning! Corrupt and vain worship condemned, Matthew 15:7-9, 1 Corinthians 11:18-22, 1 Corinthians 14, etc.

Worship in truth There are 5 acts of worship we can engage in when we assemble together Each has its guidelines we follow as we seek to worship God according to His pattern.

Last week Prayer - Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 14:14-15, Acts 12:5, 4:23-31 Lord’s Supper - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7. Not a full meal, but a memorial

Giving One reason we worship is to give back to God a portion of that which He has entrusted to us. Giving is about God and our respect for Him. Cf. Malachi 1:6-8 Giving is a stewardship – 1 Corinthians 4:2, cf. Matthew 25:14-30 Luke 16:2 – give an account

Giving Giving is about sacrifice – Mark 12:41-44 – the widow with her two mites (small coins) Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-37 – the early disciples sacrificed for each other!

Giving “See that you abound in this grace also” 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 Lay by in store on the first day of the week (the day we are to assemble) – 1 Corinthians 16:2 – the ONLY example of a time in scripture

Giving Generously and cheerfully, from the heart, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Purposefully - 1 Corinthians 16:2 Proper giving comes when we FIRST give ourselves to the Lord – 2 Corinthians 8:5 This is the ONLY authorized means of securing funds for doing the work of the church

Preaching/teaching Often in worship, we are being instructed in God’s word Acts 2:42, the apostles doctrine Acts 20:7, Paul also preached 2 Timothy 4:2-3, Timothy to preach the word 1 Corinthians 14 (3-5, 19, 23-25, 26, etc.) – in worship they teaching to build each other up (edify)

Preaching/teaching 1 Timothy 4:16, Timothy to teach in Ephesus – save himself and hearers Many letters written to churches and read (Colossians 4:16) 1 Timothy 3:15, The church is “the pillar and ground of truth” John 4:24, we worship “in spirit and in truth”

Preaching/teaching The speaker – responsible to preach the word, the whole counsel of God – 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, 1 Peter 4:11 The hearer is to listen and confirm Acts 17:11, and apply its teaching. Luke 8:15 – good & noble heart; James 1:21 – meekness; Acts 10:33 – desire to hear

Singing Singing is a way to praise God and teach and admonish one another. Part of our worship – Ephesians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 4:15, Colossians 3:16

Singing Scriptural singing involves: Praising God - Hebrews 13:15 Teaching and admonishing Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16 To “one another” – why we sing congregational. It is NOT entertainment (e.g. a choir or praise team leading us)

Singing Scriptural singing involves: Psalms – songs of praise, perhaps based upon inspired text Hymns – songs of praise and thanksgiving Spiritual songs – odes and songs of edification. We are “teaching and admonishing one another” NOTE the variety of songs

Singing Scriptural singing involves: In your heart – with thought and conviction! We mean what we sing To the Lord – we realize it is worship. Let Him be glorified! NOTE: WHAT the song teaches is more important than how it sounds. While we strive to give our best, and melody helps us sing together – never forget the purpose!

Singing Scriptural singing : Was vocal – this fulfills all parameters we have studied! Instrumental music is foreign to NT worship – both in scripture and historically. In our next lesson we will address WHY we do not use instrumental music

Let us respect God’s pattern for His church in our worship!