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Calvary Missionary Baptist Church |
"Introducing the Worship Service" "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." - John 4:23 For the next few weeks we are going to discuss worship. Worship can refer to the private reverence we show God, but we are going to specifically examine the elements of our public worship. It is a common mistake for us to take too lightly the importance of our worship services. A good worship service may be the very thing that leads a sinner to repentance or a saint to a closer walk with the Lord. It also is a testimony to God of our appreciation to Him for all He has done for us. Can we ever thank him enough for the gift of eternal life? I hope through this series of lessons we might consider the importance of the worship service and diligently seek to make them all God wants them to be. I. Defining Worship a. Worship - reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence "Proskuneo" - to adore; to be prostrate in homage Worship should always include recognition of God's holiness and majesty as well as our lowliness and humility. We should worship with a reverence for God, for this is the very definition of the word. The reverence we show in the worship service is a direct correlation to the amount of worship we show God. II. Worship should be from the heart, spiritual and full of truth. (John 4:23) a. Worship in spirit - to worship with the inward man and not our body only. Worship is not attending church, but it is when the soul communicates reverence to God. " Also note that Jesus was making the point that he could be worshipped anywhere b. Worship in truth - without hypocrisy, genuine worship without pretence. Also, to worship the one True God and His Son, Jesus Christ who is Absolute Truth III. Worship should be decent and in order. (I Corinthians 14:26-40) What does it mean to worship "decently and in order?" Let's look at the text: 1. Worship should be done for edifying (building up, encouraging) the church, and not for personal recognition. (v.26) 2. Worship should be clear and understandable, without confusion. (v.27-33) 3. Prophesying and teaching should be done by the men of the church (v.34-35) 4. All worship should be done under the authority of the Scripture (v.36-38) Bottom Line: Any act of worship that distracts from the gospel message and deters people from looking to Christ is prohibited. All things must be done with the purpose of glorifying God, building up the church, and conveying the message of the gospel to lost souls. IV. The Elements of the worship service. a. Prayer "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." - Matthew 21:13 b. Singing "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalms 100 c. Giving "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." - I Corinthians 16:2 d. Preaching "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." - I Corinthians 1:18 e. Testimonies/Exhortation "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;" - Psalms 107:1-2 |