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CORPORATE WORSHIP
John 4:24
(August 4, 2019, SUN a.m.- MBC baesa) Let us read in John 4:19-24. Notice in verse 24 it says:
Before we begin let us first give some definitions of worship.
The Meaning of Worship According to Bryan Chappell in his “Christ-centered Worship”, he gives definition of Worship. 1. General Meaning: Worship is essentially ascribing to God the glory he deserves. “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)
2. Contextual Meaning:
According to Bryan Chappell worship has several different but related contexts.
Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Matthew 6:6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Revelation 15:3-4 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” Weekly we worship God but the most important thing of our worship when we gather together as a church is on Sunday. Every Sundays we experience specifically with joy the elements of corporate worship.
Now, let us talk about the third contextual meaning and that is corporate worship. I- CAUSES FOR CORPORATE WOSHIP: 1. God redeemed us purposely to worship corporately. Historically, God has an aim on gathering multitudes of worshipers. God created and redeemed not just one person but many. The reason for this when the period of age ended there are immense or measureless people to worship Him (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1; 9:13; Revelation 5:9-14). Corporately not individually, we attain our complete expression of worship. Every time we gather together as a church, we enjoy a foretaste of the fulfillment of complete redemption (Hebrews 12:18-24). Exodus 5:1 “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.”
Exodus 7:16 “And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.”
Exodus 8:1 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”
Exodus 9:13 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”
Revelation 5:9-14 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”
Hebrews 12:18-24 “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
2. God required us reasonably to worship corporately. God does not want optional worship. Every person will worship something; and we must worship the only true God. God demands and deserves our worship (Psalm 96:9; Matthew 4:10). God commanded us to worship Him. God deserves our worship because He created all things (Revelation 4:11). One of the most important ways to willfully obey God concerning worship is to engage in corporate worship. Psalm 96:9 “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.”
Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
3. God refreshes us joyfully by worshiping corporately. God wants us to focus on Him as the only one who can completely provide satisfaction on our souls (Psalm 16:11; 63:3; 73:25; 84:2, 4). Our joy will be in its highest level as we praise Him with full delight. We make our joy in God in a greater extent by worshiping Him and we worship Him most fully when we gather with fellow believers. Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 63:3 “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”
Psalm 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”
Psalm 84:2, 4 “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.”
4. God rebuilds us spiritually by worshipping corporately God’s Word when applied by the Holy Spirit is vital contribution for spiritual growth and healthy Christian life. In corporate worship we receive bible truth in many ways, but especially during the time of the preaching of the Word we are edified (1 Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 4:2; Colossians 3:16). Neglecting this assembly will miss the valuable location for us to experience the matchless presence and the transforming power in our lives. (Matthew 18:20; I Corinthians 5:4). I Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”
Colossians 3:16 “ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
I Corinthians 5:4 “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
II- CONDITION OF CORPORATE WORSHIP Some features of worship are not advice or ordered by the scriptures but are reasonably needed. 1. There is no Bible command to meet at a certain time and place. We can freely change the time of day or kind of building and maintain to worship God corporately. 2. There is no Bible commended of the exact kind of music. Undoubtedly, we have instructions to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16); we can even use the inspired Psalms which is the hymnbook of the Jewish people. But since God did not gives us the exact inspired kind of music notes therefore we can’t definitely tell what melodies of a certain song should sound in corporate worship. Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
3. There are Beneficial customs but not absolutely necessary. Some use written program as a guide and has PowerPoint presentation. Some preachers and musicians relied on the good function of amplifiers. These practices are helpful but do not have extreme importance for corporate worship. 4. There is no Bible clarification in the New Testament what instruments to be used. The New Testament is silent about specific instrument to be used in corporate worship. Indeed, we use musical instruments to accompany the congregational singing because it is profitable, not because it is required or necessity. III- COMPONENTS OF CORPORATE WORSHIP There are at least six essential elements of practices for corporate worship taught in the New Testament: 1. Eagerly Read the Word (I Timothy 4:13-15) I Timothy 4:13-15 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” 2. Exactly Preach the Word (Acts 2:42; I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 3:15-17; 4:2) Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
I Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
II Timothy 3:15-17 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”
3. Earnestly Pray the Word (I Timothy 2:1; I Corinthians 14:16; Hebrews 4:16; Acts 1:14; 2:1; 4:24, 32) I Timothy 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”
I Corinthians 14:16 “Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Acts 1:14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (from Acts 1:14)
Acts 4:24, 32 “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
4. Excitedly Sing the Word (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Revelation 5:9-13; 15:3, 4) Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Revelation 5:9-13 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
Revelation 15:3 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”
EXAMPLES: Rejoice in the Lord—Philippians 4:4 See ye first the kingdom of God--Matthew 6:33 The Law of the Lord—Psalm 19:7-11 5. Enjoyably Give to the Work of God (I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:7) I Corinthians 16:2 “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.”
II Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
6. Every Believer must Observe the ordinances of the Church of God: a. Baptism (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 9:18) Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Acts 8:12, 36-38 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
Acts 9:18 “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
b. Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 11:24-30) Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
I Corinthians 11:24-30 “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”
Conclusion: Do you faithfully, regularly worship God privately? How do you have full of joy in your worship? During your public worship, did you notice the crucial needs to pay more attention on any of the six elements of biblical worship? |