True Worship

True Worship

Why did you come to worship today? Christian worship is the most momentous, most urgent, most glorious action that can take place in human life. We come to worship to renew the inner man (2 Cor. 4:16). It’s been said; modern man worships his work, works at his play, and plays at his worship. Worship must be offered in a way that is divinely approved by God. Since God desires to be worshipped in truth, not anything & everything that is thrown up in praise will be pleasing to Him. How can Christians honor God in truth?

I. We venerate God in our partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

A. The New Testament has a memorial – to Christ’s death – the Lord’s Supper.

1. 1 Cor. 11:23-25 – the pattern for NT Christianity.

B. But these actions are of little use w/o the proper attitude.

1. 11:26 – in partaking of the LS – we proclaim the Lord’s death.

2. 11:27-28 – it involves examination & an attitude adjustment.

3. 11:29-30 – it involves discerning the Lord’s body.

4. 11:31-34 – it involves a solemn; serious occasion – whereby we come to reflect on the sacrifice made on our behalf.

II. We praise God with our lips.

A. Eph. 5:18-19 - Christians pour out praise from hearts filled with happiness!

B. 5:19 – we are speaking to, teaching, and admonishing one another.

C. Do you approach the singing part of worship enthusiastically?

1. Nothing less than enthusiastic service, energetic worship honors God!

III. We honor God in corporate prayer.

A. Acts 2:42 – an example and command of prayer. Too obvious to dispute.

B. Why are typical prayers boring, empty, and hopeless?

1. Mt. 7:7-8 – we don’t believe God’s word.

2. Js. 5:17-18 – we don’t trust His promises.

3. Js. 1:5-8 – we curse our efforts with doubts.

4. 1 Pet 3:10-12 – we limit ourselves with our own sin.

5. Acts 4:29, 31 – we’re afraid of boldness & confidence.

IV. We glorify God in our giving.

A. 1 Cor. 16:1-3 – is command & pattern authority for corporate giving.

B. How do we turn a financial arrangement into worship?

1. 16:2 – should be regular – 1^st day of the week.

2. 16:2 – done by each member; giving as prospered

3. 2 Cor. 9:7 – should be planned as purposed; with a good attitude.

V. We pay homage to God by learning from His word.

A. Acts 2:42 – the practice of the early church. PREACHING.

1. Learning is a major responsibility that many are ignorant of.

B. Some suggestions to help you get more out of the sermon:

1. 2 Cor. 13:5 – examine yourself. It is humbling to listen to God’s word.

2. 2 Pet. 2:1-3 – confess your sins. Goes right along w/humility.

3. Prepare your mind by meditation & prayer.

4. Psa. 119:18, 40, 162 – prepare your heart.

5. Psa. 119:111 – make the effort to retain what you hear.

6. Acts 17:11 – examine scriptures while staying in context w/the lesson.

7. Js. 1:25 – determine to make the needed adjustments.

8. Heb. 10:24 – discuss challenges & encouragement w/family & brethren.

9. Investigate passages further – w/references.

VI. We declare His holiness with our preparation. (Psalm 15)

Conclusion:

A. First...have you honored him by your submission?



True Worship Why did you come to worship today? Christian worship is the most momentous, most urgent, most glorious action that can take place in human life. We come to worship to renew the inner man (2 Cor. 4:16). It’s been said; modern man worships his work, works at his play, and plays at his worship. Worship must be offered in a way that is divinely approved by God. Since God desires to be worshipped in truth, not anything & everything that is thrown up in praise will be pleasing to Him. How can Christians honor God in truth? I. We venerate God in our partaking of the Lord’s Supper. A. The New Testament has a memorial – to Christ’s death – the Lord’s Supper. 1. 1 Cor. 11:23-25 – the pattern for NT Christianity. B. But these actions are of little use w/o the proper attitude. 1. 11:26 – in partaking of the LS – we proclaim the Lord’s death. 2. 11:27-28 – it involves examination & an attitude adjustment. 3. 11:29-30 – it involves discerning the Lord’s body. 4. 11:31-34 – it involves a solemn; serious occasion – whereby we come to reflect on the sacrifice made on our behalf. II. We praise God with our lips. A. Eph. 5:18-19 - Christians pour out praise from hearts filled with happiness! B. 5:19 – we are speaking to, teaching, and admonishing one another. C. Do you approach the singing part of worship enthusiastically? 1. Nothing less than enthusiastic service, energetic worship honors God! III. We honor God in corporate prayer. A. Acts 2:42 – an example and command of prayer. Too obvious to dispute. B. Why are typical prayers boring, empty, and hopeless? 1. Mt. 7:7-8 – we don’t believe God’s word. 2. Js. 5:17-18 – we don’t trust His promises. 3. Js. 1:5-8 – we curse our efforts with doubts. 4. 1 Pet 3:10-12 – we limit ourselves with our own sin. 5. Acts 4:29, 31 – we’re afraid of boldness & confidence. IV. We glorify God in our giving. A. 1 Cor. 16:1-3 – is command & pattern authority for corporate giving. B. How do we turn a financial arrangement into worship? 1. 16:2 – should be regular – 1^st day of the week. 2. 16:2 – done by each member; giving as prospered 3. 2 Cor. 9:7 – should be planned as purposed; with a good attitude. V. We pay homage to God by learning from His word. A. Acts 2:42 – the practice of the early church. PREACHING. 1. Learning is a major responsibility that many are ignorant of. B. Some suggestions to help you get more out of the sermon: 1. 2 Cor. 13:5 – examine yourself. It is humbling to listen to God’s word. 2. 2 Pet. 2:1-3 – confess your sins. Goes right along w/humility. 3. Prepare your mind by meditation & prayer. 4. Psa. 119:18, 40, 162 – prepare your heart. 5. Psa. 119:111 – make the effort to retain what you hear. 6. Acts 17:11 – examine scriptures while staying in context w/the lesson. 7. Js. 1:25 – determine to make the needed adjustments. 8. Heb. 10:24 – discuss challenges & encouragement w/family & brethren. 9. Investigate passages further – w/references. VI. We declare His holiness with our preparation. (Psalm 15) Conclusion: A. First...have you honored him by your submission?