THE MISSION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH #6

Providing Scriptural Worship

INTRODUCTION

A. In the New Testament, the Lord’s church is set forth under various figures of speech
to portray aspects of the church:

1. As “the vineyard of the Lord” to portray its work

2. As “the kingdom of the Lord” to portray its government

3. As “the family of God” to portray its brotherly love

4. As “the temple of God” to portray its worshipful nature – truly the Lord’s church is
a worshipping institution

B. Christianity is a teaching religion

1. No one becomes a Christian accidentally – they must be taught

2. In like manner, no one worships God accidentally – we must be taught to worship God
scripturally

C. The word “worship” in one form or another occurs 191 times in the Bible

1. 113 times in the Old Testament – 78 times in the New Testament

2. Hence, we can see the importance of studying worship

DISCUSSION

A. THE LORD’S CHURCH MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT WORSHIP REALLY IS

1. Webster defines “worship” as, “Courtesy or reverence paid to worth; hence honor
and respect. Acts of paying divine honor to deity; religious reverence and homage.”
Observe that it is PAID – therefore, action is involved

2. The meaning of “worship” in the original languages  

a. proskuneo (Jn. 4:24) – means to by kneeling or prostrate to do homage to one or
to reverence, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication

b. sebomi (Acts 16:14) – means to reverence, to adore, to stand in awe, and to
venerate

c. latreuo (Phil. 3:3) – means to render religious service or homage; to perform sacred
services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for His
worship

B. WORSHIP IS AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PRIVILEGE

1. Worship is individual

a. In the New Testament all Christians are “priests”

1) 1 Peter 2:9  

2) Revelation 1:5-6

3) Thus, we have the obligation, right, and privilege to worship God

b. Our worship cannot be performed by proxy

1) The Bible teaches individual responsibility

2) 2 Corinthians 5:10

c. Thus, we must avoid all practices in our worship services which tend to destroy the

individual aspect of our worship (e.g. choirs)

2. Worship entails involvement  

a. Worship is reverence PAID! – NOT merely felt

b. In true worship we are participants, not spectators

c. In true worship there is only one in the audience – God, and all
worshippers are participants

d. This is one reason applause is unacceptable in worship

C. THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF FALSE WORSHIP  

1. Ignorant worship  

a. Acts 17:23  

b. Romans 10:1-3

c. This kind of worship is unacceptable and inexcusable

d. Acts 17:30  

2. Vain worship  

a. Matthew 15:8-9

b. Following the wishes of man in worship makes our worship of no value – It’s God’s
way NOT our way

c. Lip service, i.e. simply going through the motions, is also vain worship

3. Will worship  

a. Colossians 2:23

b. This is self-devised or self-chosen worship

c. Cain is an example of this kind of worship (Gen. 4:1-8)

d. Our worship must be based on divine authority – not human desire

D. THE LORD’S CHURCH MUST UNDERSTAND AND PRACTICE TRUE AND SCRIPTURAL WORSHIP  

1. John 4:24  

2. Notice the word “must” – it is not an optional matter

3. The proper object of acceptable worship – “God”

a. Matthew 4:9-10  

b. Revelations 19:10  

4. The proper attitude of acceptable worship – “in spirit”

a. Matthew 15:8  

b. Ephesians 5:19  

c. Colossians 3:16  

5. The proper standard for acceptable worship – “in truth”

a. We must have authority for all we do

b. Colossians 3:17  

c. God authorizes five items in worship:

1) Singing – vocal (Col. 3:16)

2) Prayer (Acts 2:42)

3) Teaching (Acts 2:47)

4) Lord’s Super (Acts 20:7)

5) Giving of our means (1 Cor. 16:2)

E. THE LORD’S CHURCH MUST BE TAUGHT CONCERNING THOSE THINGS WHICH PREVENT, DISTURB, OR DESTROY SCRIPTURAL WORSHIP – SO AS TO AVOID THEM  

1. Being late

a. Habitual and unnecessary lateness is caused by irresponsibility, unconcern, and
negligence

b. It is disruptive

2. Talking, passing notes, or destroying church property

a. Keeps you from worshipping

b. Keeps others from worshipping

3. Children’s behavior

a. Adults can cause this by giving them toys which disturb, making faces at them, etc.

b. Parents must teach and insist their children we quiet in worship – spankings do
wonders

4. Going to sleep

a. People go to sleep during worship usually because of disinterest

b. There needs to be a change of heart

5. Being too time-conscious

a. Remember it is the Lord’s day – not the Lord’s hour

b. Can we justify sitting through a 3 hour football game and complain when the
preacher gets a little long winded?

F. THINGS TO DO IN PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL WORSHIP SERVICE  

1. Let those who lead in the service give serious thought to it  

2. Should be orderly … 1 Corinthians 14:40  

3. Keep the worship service scriptural

a. Our worship must be in truth (Jn. 4:24)

b. Our Lord’s cleansing the temple indicates His zeal for purity in worship

4. Maintain a very reverential atmosphere

a. Psalm 89:5-7

b. Remember Christ is present …

c. Providing and maintain a quiet assembly is beneficial

CONCLUSION