2.  Man is a worshiping being.  Man has worshiped nearly every natural object: Acts 17:29  The ancient Canaanites were idolaters and it rubbed off on the Israelites: Rom. 1:20-23  The word worship originally meant an object of value or worth to which man gives honor or allegiance.  Left to his own devices man will “devote himself reverently to an almost endless number and variety of gods.” 2

3.  Man is not alone! Man is not without guidance! Psa. 119:105  Man has not been left alone to decide what and how he will worship: Matt. 17:5; Acts 2:22; Jn. 4:23-24  Jesus is very specific about true and acceptable worship:  Object: “true worshipers shall worship the Father”  Attitude: “they that worship Him must worship in spirit”  Pattern: “they that worship Him must worship him in…truth” 3

4. The New Testament Church

5.  Proper object of worship is God: Matt. 4:9, 10; Isa. 45:5; Eph. 4:6; Jas. 1:17; Rom. 5:8  Cornelius learned this lesson: Acts 10:25, 26; Rev. 19:10; 22:9  Modern denominationalism totally misses the mark in this regard.  “Worshipers” are actually spectators (e.g., worship leaders, praise teams, contemporary worship, performance art, dance, rock music, etc.).  They’ve turned worship into a performance. 5 Worship of the Church

6.  Jesus said proper worshipers “must worship [God] in spirit”: Jn. 4:24  What did Jesus mean by “must worship [God] in spirit”? Gen. 1:26; Lk. 24:39; 2 Cor. 4:16; Matt. 10:28; Jas. 2:26; Eph. 3:16  Word worship comes from Greek proskuneo.  Our service to God, in general, is a “spiritual service”: Rom. 12:1 6 Worship of the Church

7.  Through our “inner man” God enables us:  To love Him: Matt. 22:37  To obey Him: Rom. 6:17  To sing praises to Him: Eph. 5:19  To give of our means: 2 Cor. 9:7  To partake of the Lord’s Supper: 1 Cor. 11:26  To discern good and evil: Heb. 5:14 7 Worship of the Church

8.  The right way can often be seen by looking at the wrong way: Matt. 6:1-18; 23:13-16; 15:8  “Attitude is everything!”  Man is the crowning glory of God’s creation; which brings great responsibility! Rom. 1:20-21; Heb. 12:28-29 8 Worship of the Church

9.  The pattern for worship is truth! Jn. 4:24; Eph. 1:13; 2 Thess. 2:10-12  God has not left it up to us concerning “how” we will worship Him.  Remember Cain and Abel? Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 9:22 Israel? Heb. 9:1; Lev. 10:1-2; 2 Chr. 26:16-23; Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:8, 23; Acts 17:23; Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; 1 Pet. 4:11  Faith makes all the difference! Rom. 10:17 9 Worship of the Church Next week: Pattern of worship (specific)

10.  Concerning specifics (i.e., “in truth”) of worship it is critical to distinguish between the Old and New Covenants.  Old Covenant, including Ten Commandments has been annulled: Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:6-13; Rom. 7:1-7; 2 Cor. 3:7-13; Matt. 5:17, 21-22; 27-28  Old Covenant was “nailed to the cross”: Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:14-17; Rom. 15:4  Cannot become righteous through the Law of Moses: Gal. 2:16; Gal. 5:4 10 Worship of the Church

11.  Very important to distinguish between Old and New Covenants esp. in regards to the Sabbath. Old Covenant primary day of worship was the Sabbath: Ex. 20:8-11 Old Covenant primary day of worship was the Sabbath: Ex. 20:8-11 Given exclusively to children of Israel: Deut. 5:15; 5:3; Neh. 9:13-14 Given exclusively to children of Israel: Deut. 5:15; 5:3; Neh. 9:13-14  The “first day of the week” is not the “Christian Sabbath”: Col. 2:14; Matt. 23:38; Col. 2:16-17; Gal. 5:4 11 Worship of the Church

12.  Day of worship for local church is the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day. Why significant? Resurrection: Mk. 16:9; Lk. 24:1, 13, 20-21, 46 Resurrection: Mk. 16:9; Lk. 24:1, 13, 20-21, 46 Jesus appeared to disciples: Jn. 20:1, 19, 26 Jesus appeared to disciples: Jn. 20:1, 19, 26 Church established: Matt. 16:18; Acts 2; Lev. 23:15-16 Church established: Matt. 16:18; Acts 2; Lev. 23:15-16 Holy Spirit sent: Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4 Holy Spirit sent: Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4 Gospel preached first time: Acts ; Rom. 1:16-17 Gospel preached first time: Acts ; Rom. 1:16-17 First converts: Acts 2:37-37, 41, 47 First converts: Acts 2:37-37, 41, 47 12 Worship of the Church

13.  First century Christians, under divine guidance of apostles, assembled to observe the following on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day: Collection: 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Collection: 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Lord’s Supper: Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; Acts 2:42 Lord’s Supper: Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; Acts 2:42  The Lord’s plan for worship of necessity and according to scripture calls for an “assembly”: 1 Cor. 11:17-24; 14:19, 23, 26, 28, 34, 35; Heb. 10:25 13 Worship of the Church

14.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Lord’s Supper: Acts 20:6-7; Matt. 28:20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Lord’s Supper: Acts 20:6-7; Matt. 28:20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 16:1-2  Remembrance of Christ: 1 Cor. 11:24-25  Remembrance of His death: 1 Cor. 11:26  Anticipatory: 1 Cor. 11:26  Fellowship: 1 Cor. 10:16-17; Matt. 26:29  Obedience: Matt. 26:26-29  Spiritual growth: 1 Cor. 11:29-32; Jn. 6:53 14 Worship of the Church

15.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Lord’s Supper: Manner Lord’s Supper: Manner  Self-examination: 1 Cor. 11:28  Worthy manner: 1 Cor. 11:29  Fellowship: 1 Cor. 10:17  Communion with Christ: 1 Cor. 10:15-17; Matt. 26:29 15 Worship of the Church

16.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Music: Music:  Vocal not instrumental: Matt. 26:30; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; 13:15; Jas. 5:13  Command to sing is specific: Gen. 6:14; Lev. 16:12; 10:1-2; 2 Jn. 9; 2 Pet. 1:2-3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 1:17; Matt. 17:5-6  Purpose: Heb. 13:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16  Manner of rendering: Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15 16 Worship of the Church

17.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Music: Arguments for instrumental music Music: Arguments for instrumental music  Practiced under Law of Moses: Col. 2:14; Gal. 5:4; Col. 2:13-17; Eph. 2:14-16  Not expressly forbidden in New Testament: Gen. 6; Lev. 10:1-2; 2 Jn. 9  Only an aid: Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16  Psallo argument: Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; Jn. 16:13  Final objections: 17 Worship of the Church Next week: Pattern of worship (specific)

18.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Giving: Giving:  Stewardship: 1 Pet. 4:10; Lk. 16:1; Rom. 14:12; Lk. 12:13-21; Lev. 23:9-14; Matt. 6:33  Fellowship: Acts 2:42; 1 Pet. 1:22; Col. 2:2; Gal. 6:2; Phil. 1:5; 4:16; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:12-15; Matt. 25:41-44; Mk. 12:41-44  Discipleship: Matt. 16:24; Lk. 9:57-62; Matt. 19:27-29, 16-22; Phil. 2:5-8; 2 Cor. 8:9  Love: 2 Cor. 8:24; Lk. 16:13-15; Matt. 6:19-24 18 Worship of the Church

19.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Giving: More principles… Giving: More principles…  Individual: 1 Cor. 16:2; 1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:10-13; Eph. 4:28  Motive: 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Psa. 41:1-3; Lk. 6:35-38; Acts 10:1-4; Matt. 19:21; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; 2 Cor. 9:6; Lk. 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:12-15; Acts 10:35  Manner: 1 Cor. 16:1-2  Other: 2 Cor. 9:7, 8-11  Measure of giving: 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:6 19 Worship of the Church

20.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Prayer: Prayer:  Apostles: 1 Cor. 14:15  From beginning: Acts 2:42  Paul’s letters: Eph. 1:15-18; Phil. 1:3-7; Col. 1:3- 12  Lord’s teaching: Matt. 6:9-15; Lk. 11:1-4; Lk. 18:1-7; Lk. 3:21; 6:12; Matt. 14:23; Matt. 26 20 Worship of the Church

21.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Prayer: important to remember… Prayer: important to remember…  Directed to Father: Matt. 6:9; Lk. 11:1; Rom. 10:1  Express needs and thanks: 1 Tim. 2:1  Pray for leaders: 1 Tim. 2:2  Pray for enemies: Matt. 5:44  Pray in faith: Jas. 1:5-8; 1 Jn. 5:14-15  Pray in Jesus’ name: Jn. 14:13-14; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:1 21 Worship of the Church

22.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Teaching/preaching: Teaching/preaching:  Whenever assembled: Acts 2; 2:42  Great commission: Mk. 16:15; Matt. 28:19  Basics and more: Matt. 28:20; Eph. 4:11-14; Acts 20:27; 2 Pet. 1:3-11; 3:17-18  First day of week and more: Acts 19:9; 20:6-7  What and how strictly defined: 2 Tim. 4:1-2 22 Worship of the Church

23.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Teaching/preaching: subject restricted… Teaching/preaching: subject restricted…  God’s word: Jn. 8:26, 28, 38  Holy Spirit spoke not on own authority: Jn. 16:13  Apostles spoke not on own authority: Jn. 16:13; Gal. 1:11-12  No such thing as “church doctrine”: 2 Jn. 9-11; Jn. 12:48 23 Worship of the Church

24.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Teaching/preaching: subject restricted… Teaching/preaching: subject restricted…  Limited to words of Christ & apostles: Rom. 1:16-17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 16:13; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3; Eph. 4:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11  Reject human creeds: Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; Matt. 7:24-27; 4:4; 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17  Identity of church tested by what it teachers: Mk. 16:16; 19:9 24 Worship of the Church

25.  The New Testament describes five acts of worship: Teaching/preaching: more… Teaching/preaching: more…  Apostles doctrine: Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 2:6-13; Gal. 1:11-12; Jn. 17:8; Matt. 28:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Cor. 14:37; Jn. 4:6; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9-11  Doctrines of man: 1 Thess. 5:21; Acts 17:11; Phil. 1:9-10; Titus 1:9; 2:1; Eph. 4:11; 1 Jn. 4:1-6; Col. 2:8; 2 Pet. 3:17; Acts 4:19-20  Reject false teachers: Matt. 16:11; 2 Cor. 11:13; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; 2 Jn. 9-11; Titus 3:9-11; Rom. 16:17; 2 Jn. 7-11  Compromise disastrous: Gal. 5:9; Rev. 2:14-17; Acts 20:27-32; 1 Tim. 1:3-4 25 Worship of the Church

26.  In the New Testament local churches assembled on the first day of the week regularly.  However, although critically important, public worship is only a fraction of what God expects from a Christian (Heb. 10:25).  Let us serve God everyday, whether in our Sunday assembly, or our daily lives in the home, at school, on the job, etc.: Col. 3:17 26