2. Is God among our worship? February 2, 2014 River Bend

3. Introduction Is God among our worship? 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 - “ 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

4. Is our worship authorized? Basic understanding of God’s authority - Genesis 1:1 - God is the foundation for all authority. Acts 17:24-25; James 1:17 - He is the giver of life and all good things. “Therefore, God has the right to tell us what to do, how to act, how to live, and how we should be worshipping Him.” (Doy Moyer, How God Communicates His Will)

5. Is our worship authorized? The Old Testament tabernacle was built according to the “pattern” - Exodus 23:9, 40 - “…as the pattern of the tabernacle…See that you make them after the pattern for them…” Numbers 8:4 - “…according to the pattern which the Lord has shown Moses…” Hebrews 8:5; Acts 7:44

6. Is our worship authorized? Is there a New Testament “pattern” for worship? John 4:23-24 - “ 23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

7. Is our worship authorized? Is there a New Testament “pattern” for worship? Worship is not - “If it feels good do it. Do it if it’s what you feel.” About the worshiper; it’s all about God - Psalm 29:2; 96:9; Revelation 4:9-11

8. Is our worship authorized? Is there a New Testament “pattern” for worship? Singing - 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 Praying - Acts 4:23-31; 20:36; Ephesians 3:14-21 Preaching - Acts 20:7b; 1 Corinthians 14:26

9. Is our worship authorized? Is there a New Testament “pattern” for worship? Lord’s Supper - Acts 2:42; 20:7a; 1 Corinthians 11:18-34 Benevolence - 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9 What if we want to worship outside of God’s authority? 2 John 9 - “…does not have God;”

10. Is our worship pleasing to God? Ephesians 5:10 - “ 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” A sacrificed life - Romans 12:1-2 (Ephesians 5:15-17); Ephesians 5:1- 2 A sacrifice of praise - Old Testament “freewill offerings” - Leviticus 22:18, 21; Deuteronomy 12:6 New Testament - Hebrews 13:15

11. Is our worship pleasing to God? Ephesians 5:10 - “ 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” Humble obedience to His will - John 4:23-24 John 14:15 - “ 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” 1 John 5:2-3 - “…when we love God and observe His commandments…and His commandments are not burdensome.”

12. Is our worship edifying? 1 Corinthians 14:26 - “ 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” Every facet of worship should edify the listeners.

13. Is our worship united in God? Ephesians 4:1-3 - “…being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” If we are divided our worship is nothing more than noise. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Division led the Corinthians astray How quickly can a congregation fall into disarray? - Acts 20:29-30

14. Conclusion Is God among our worship at River Bend? Is our worship authorized? Is our worship pleasing to God? Is our worship edifying? Is our worship united in God? Will you become a child of God?