1. Worship and the Church (3) Worshipping God in Truth
New Testament Church 2017

2. 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

3. Worship in truth God has always demanded we worship properly
He has given us pattern, from the very beginning!
Corrupt and vain worship
Vain worship– Matthew 15:7-9

4. Worship in truth Corrupt and vain worship
NOT the Lord’s supper – 1 Corinthians 11:18-22
Lack of orderliness, competitive attitudes and actions (not humble) 1 Corinthians 14
Colossians 2:23, self-imposed religion, “will worship” (KJV)

5. Worship in truth
Follows the NT pattern – Ephesians 2:14-15, Colossians 2:14, John 4:22-24
Respects God’s boundaries – 1 Corinthians 4:6, Colossians 3:17

6. Worship in truth As the church we facilitate true worship:
Provide the place and elements (expedients) to worship properly – building (location), containers, song books, Bibles available, etc. Assignments so that we worship orderly
Demand that we follow God’s pattern
Do not fellowship those practicing or teaching error – Ephesians 5:11, Romans 16:17- 18

7. 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.

8. Prayer
A privilege for Christians often taken for granted. God hears the prayers of the godly (answers them).
True of all prayers, including those when we assemble
Prayer is: How God has prescribed that we speak to Him.

9. Prayer Christians prayed when they assembled together
Acts 2:42, continued steadfastly in … prayers
1 Corinthians 14:14-15, prayer with spirit and understanding
Acts 12:5, 4:23-31, prayers by the church

10. Prayer Prayers can include: Acts 2:47, Matthew 6:9 praising God
Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, thanksgiving
James 5:16, for one another
Matthew 6:11, 13, requests to God

11. Prayer Prayers can include: Matthew 6:12, asking forgiveness
In the name of Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5 (our Mediator); 1 John 2:1-2, Colossians 3:17, Ephesians 5:20

12. Prayer Our public prayers Must be offered reverently!
Should be appropriate for the occasion. In the end we should be able to say “Amen”
Avoid VAIN repetitions (Matthew 6:7, 23:14, etc.)

13. Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11: Paul addressed the Lord’s Supper, but noted what they were doing was NOT the Lord’s Supper (vs. 20)
First day of the week Acts 20:7
WHEN they assembled, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:17, 20, 33-34

14. Lord’s Supper
NOT a full meal – 1 Corinthians 11:22 Consider when instituted Luke 22:19- 20, “after supper”; Jesus used bread (unleavened) and “fruit of the vine”
With giving of thanks, Matthew 26:26-27

15. Lord’s Supper
A memorial of His death (and our hope) – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
We must discern the Lord’s body, 1 Corinthians 11:27-31
We proclaim His death till He comes 1 Corinthians 11:26

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