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Presented, September 2, 2007 am

THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

Worshipping God

                The work of the church is an important subject.  In times past, while studying this subject we have noted that God’s purpose for His church is limited to three areas – evangelism, benevolence and edification.  In each of these, God has placed specific limitations by precept and example.  Many churches today engage in activities that transgress the boundaries of God’s word in both their purpose and works – making her into so much more than God intended.  We must guard against such realizing that it is His church (cf. Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23) rather than ours, and thus we are limited by the boundaries He has placed upon us.

                Today, I want to talk about one of the areas of work within the Lord’s church.  I want to talk about the work of worshipping God as it relates to the church.

I.                     Worship and Edification

a.        Worship is a work of the church. 
By work, I mean, an authorized and assigned task.  In other words, it is something that the church OUGHT to be doing as a part of its purpose.
As you study the New Testament, you find that churches came together regularly to worship God.

                                                   i.      They assembled on the first day of the week – Acts 20:7 – they came together to “Break bread” which is a reference to the Lord’s Supper.
1 Corinthians 16:2 – on the first day of the week, they were to “lay by in store…”

                                                  ii.      Colossians 3:16 – addresses our singing to one another.  This necessitates coming together.

                                                iii.      1 Corinthians 11:17-22 – Paul rebukes the church for abusing the Lord’s Supper.  The structure of the opening sentence is such as to remind them of what they OUGHT to be doing – “eat the Lord’s Supper” (20)

                                                iv.      1 Corinthians 14 addresses some of the worship that takes place when we come together (assembling).  Paul notes abuses in teaching, praying and singing.  And he clarifies that in doing this they ought to be edifying one another.

                                                  v.      Hebrews 10:24-25 notes that they were not to forsake the assembling of themselves together – though some did just that.

b.       The five acts of worship – before we move on, let us take a moment to mention the five acts of worship.  These will be addresses as this lesson develops.  In God’s word we are commanded and authorized to:

                                                   i.      Sing – Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

                                                  ii.      Pray – 1 Corinthians 14:15  - with the Spirit and with the understanding.
2 Thessalonians 3:1, in a letter addressed to the church of Thessalonica, Paul request, “Brethren, pray for us….”
Acts 4:31 – they prayed where they were assembled together.  Note: This may have simply been some of the brethren assembling in a home because of the distress.   Acts 12:5 on another occasion speaks of “constant prayer was offered to God by the church” for Peter.

                                                iii.      Partake of the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week – Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

                                                iv.      Preach and study His word – Acts 20:7, on that occasion, Paul presented a message to them.
1 Timothy 4:2-4 – Instructions to Timothy was to “preach the word.”

                                                  v.      Give as we have prospered – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

c.        Worship and edification –
Refresher: What is edification? The word means “the act of building” (Vine’s), but in the New Testament it has a figurative meaning of “the promotion of spiritual growth.” That is certainly accomplished when worship is done properly.
Worship is often cataloged with edification as a part of one of the three works of the church.  And it DOES belong there.  Because when we worship God we ARE edified.  In every act of worship, when done properly, we will be built up.   

                                                   i.      We teach and admonish one another in song (Eph. 5:19). 

                                                  ii.      Preaching is directed toward us – by expounding upon God’s word.   We learn the truth.

                                                iii.      Prayer – includes intercession and giving of thanks for one another.  We are praying together and for one another.  Together we praise God in our prayers (we ought to).

                                                iv.      Lord’s Supper is something done together.  It is described as a “communion” which means fellowship (1 Cor. 10:16).  This “fellowship” is NOT to be abused.

                                                  v.      Giving – we are built up as the church is able to do its assigned work.  Such requires access to resources, including money.  Also, when we consider what we can do with these resources – as we support other preachers, we become partakers of their work (fellowship) – See Philippians 4:15-17 – they shared with him and were part of the fruits of his labors. Also 1:5 which mentions their fellowship with him in the gospel.

d.        But worship is MORE than edification.  Primarily, worship MUST be directed toward God.

                                                   i.      The very word worship means, “to do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before.” (WS Dictionary of NT).  As speak study the term and related terms, we find that we are remembering God and Jesus in our worship services.

                                                  ii.      In Matthew 15:9, one of the main problems Jesus had with the Pharisees and religions leaders was their vain worship – in which they taught doctrines of men – rather than worship toward God.  One of the major problems Israel faced in the Old Testament was insincere worship that insulted God.   The book of Malachi chronicles some of His anger.

                                                iii.      John 4:24 – we are to worship GOD “in Spirit and in truth.”  More on this in a few moments. 
What we do may not make sense to us personally, but it is what God expects.  Nevertheless, when done properly, we WILL be edified.

                                                iv.      He is the one before whom the unworthy manner matters (1 Cor. 11:27-29).

                                                  v.      Hebrews 13:15 – in worship we are sacrificing to Him with the fruit of our lips.
Revelation 19:10 – “Worship God!”  Part of the instructions given to John as he bowed down before an angel. He was told to get up.

                                                vi.      Every act of worship – glorifies Him in one way or another.

1.       When we pray, we pray to Him (cf. Matthew 6:9).  We offer praise to Him.
Ephesians 5:19 – we are to be giving thanks to the Father always.

2.       Our singing magnifies God – Colossians 3:16 we are to be singing “with grace in your hearts unto the Lord.”

3.       Our study – is listening to God speak to us.  1 Peter 4:11 – speak as the oracles of God.  Note also, “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

4.       The Lord’s Supper proclaims God’s grace and love toward us in sending Jesus to die.
1 Corinthians 11:26 – we proclaim the Lord’s death. Vs. 27-29 speak of eating in an unworthy manner.  That is directed toward God.

5.       Giving – we are giving back to God with a proper attitude.  2 Corinthians 9:7 says that “God loves a cheerful giver.”  It is done so that His work may be continued.

                                               vii.      This is why I believe that while worship fits within the category of edification, that is only a part of its purpose.  In reality, it is the RESULT of proper worship directed toward God.

II.                  The Work of Worship

a.        John 4:24 – we must worship “in spirit and in truth.”  In this text Jesus was speaking of TRUE worship.  That is, worship that is what it was intended to be and directed where it was intended to be directed – TOWARD GOD!  In this text, we find summarized what IS expected to make worship proper worship.

b.       A godly attitude – Worship Him in spirit.

                                                   i.      We have already mentioned that one of the things that angered God was insincere worship.   In the Old Testament we have numerous examples of this corrupt and half-hearted worship.  They gave God leftovers, offered to Him with corrupt hearts, did things their own way, failed to prepare, and the list goes on.

                                                  ii.      We have to guard against such an attitude. 
Have we made worship too casual? We want it to be conducted in a relaxing atmosphere and we want everything “just right”.   Of course, what we have in mind is the externals – the temperature, the quality of the singing and sermon, taste of the communion elements, etc.  Sometimes we dress in such a way that it shows no thought into where we are going and what we are doing or that we are simply going “out on the town” for some fun.
Brethren, NEVER let your worship become “common place” – it should not be a mere ritual that you plug into your week.  Cf. Vain repetitions – Matthew 6:7, etc. 
In saying, this I realize that true worship is WORK!  It takes effort to concentrate and keep your heart focused where it belongs.  Sometimes the singing may not be that great or the lesson as sterling as you would like – but WHAT YOU GET OUT OF THE WORSHIP is what you put into it!  Look for the good and NOT the negative.  (Note: This is not saying we should not put forth our best effort in leading the worship – to give any less is just that – GIVING GOD LESS than your best!  Will He be pleased with that?)

c.        Truth! – God’s pattern is important.

                                                   i.      Understand this – while attitude is indispensable, we must STILL follow the pattern!
Colossians 3:17 – all that we do is to be “in the name of the Lord.”
1 Peter 4:11 (again) – notes that we are to speak as the oracles of God.

                                                  ii.      We must NEVER forget that He is the one we are worshipping.  He is the one we are seeking to please.  He is the reason we are here!

                                                iii.      Old Testament precedent shows that He demands exact and total obedience.
Leviticus 10:1-2 – Nadab & Abhiu burned to death for offering strange fire.
1 Samuel 13 - Saul condemned for offering a sacrifice instead of waiting for the priest
Even in providing a place for worship, David needed permission from God – cf. 2 Sam. 7:1-3. (The point being – God’s authority must be respected).

d.       We must do our part, which includes seeking to edify our brethren in worship.  Worship involves participation. 
Worship is directed primarily for Christians.  WE partake of the Lord’s Supper together.  We pray together.  We teach and admonish one another (i.e. our brethren) in song.  We are to do the giving (not fund raisers, seeking outside support, business adventures, etc.).  Even study is directed toward us.

e.       We must promote reverence –
NEVER forget why we are here and WHO we are worshipping – our God and creator.
Hebrews 12:28, Psalm 89:7, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”

f.         It must be done “decently and in order” – 1 Corinthians 14:40

                                                   i.      We need to prepare – Psalm 122:1, Ezra 7:10

                                                  ii.      We must avoid the appearance of true worship – e.g. hypocrisy.  See Malachi 1:6-8, 13.
God is not impressed with the externals if the heart is not there.

                                                iii.      Yet, we ought to give God our best – and nothing less.

                                                iv.      Do not turn the worship into entertainment.  So many today are softening the message and worship to appeal to man.  While there is nothing wrong with it being pleasant – to be pleasing it must STILL be according to His pattern.

Thus we find the work of the church to include worshipping God.  It is one of the things we can all do together.  What about you?  What does worship mean to you?  If we truly understand what worship is, we will never dread having to “go to church.”   We will not look for excuses to get out of being here or to leave early.  We will not be grumbling and looking for the faults in place of our purpose.  Like David, instead we will say, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1) 

Do you consider the work of worship a privilege?