Life
in the Father's House Memorial OPC, Fall 2008
Lesson 6, "Participating in Worship
Services" Part 2 Pastor Matthew Judd
"Modern man
worships his work, works at his play, and plays at his worship" (quoted by
D. Whitney).
The Centrality of Worship for the Believer [in the midst of Christ’s church]
* Pictorially
represented in the OT - in the tabernacle and temple
* All of life is
worship - life radiates out of this "center"
* Two aspects of
worship: Worship as a "broad"
principle (1 Cor. 10:31,
Worship as a
"narrow" command (Lev. 23, Isa. 66.23)
* Terminology of
worship: English -
"worth-ship" - the object is worthy of honor,
reverence, respect, adoration, etc.
Hebrew and Greek - the
focus is on the action of the
worshipper - "to bow down, to lie prostrate"
The Essence of Corporate Worship
* The focus of true
worship is on God. Consider the first four commandments...
1. The right object
2. The acceptable
manner (WCF 21.1)
3. The acceptable
attitude
4. The acceptable time
* The acceptance of our
worship is found in our High Priest and Mediator. (Heb 10:11-25)
* The participants of
worship actively respond to God with their whole being. (Psa
95, 96)
* The outward should
flow out of the inward (John 4.23-24, Matt. 15)
[An aside: pp. 124-125
pit duty against delight/joy.
Worship from the Heart is our Duty -
Matthew 15
Beware: pp. 124-125 pit duty against delight/joy. There is a problem with this
illustration. What is described in a negative way and condemned in this illustration is
NOT properly called "duty". Rather, it is external formalism. Our duty before God is to
delight in him with our whole being. Anything less than this falls short of what is due
unto God (i.e. duty).]
The Nuts and Bolts of Corporate Worship
* Preparation - 4th commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy..."
The integrity of our lives (Ps. 15)
Our relationships with others (Matt. 5.23-24)
Our posture the rest of the week (morning and evening sacrifices)
Prayer for the service - including for those leading,
for ourselves, and for one another.
Other practical (and even mundane) matters... Saturday night, gas in the car, etc.
* Learning from the Teaching of God's Word - God speaks, we respond. (WCF 14.2)
Is it true that there is often a whole lot of listening but very little hearing?
Respond to Spurgeon's quote, "We are told men ought not to preach without
preparation. Granted, but we add, men ought not to hear without preparation."
See the 10 suggestions to help us be better listeners... (pp. 129-130).
#1-5 deal with our preparation
#6-10 deal with our reception, retention and application of God's Word.
#6 - While you listen...
#7 - After you listen: Check out what you have heard with a humble heart
#8 - Discuss with others
#9 - Study further
#10 - Make purposeful application of what you have heard. "How must I
change in light of what I have heard today?"
The Nuts and Bolts of Corporate Worship
(continued)
* Praying with and for the Body
We can pray before, during, and after the service.
Before was spoke of above.
During - takes effort and exhibits unity.
After - is often forgotten.
* Singing: there is a twofold role that our singing has...
1. With one voice we praise and offer petition to God.
2. We provide challenge and encouragement to the members of the body.
Ephesians 5:18-19
* Sacraments: the regular observance of the Lord's Supper; the occasional observance of baptism.
* Giving to the Lord and His Church (pp. 136-139)
Both a solemn duty and a wonderful privilege.
Luke 21.1-4; Acts 2.44-45; Acts 20.35; Romans 12.14; 1 Corinthians 16.1-4
What drives you? "How much of my money should I give to God?" or "How much
of God's money should I keep for myself?"
Giving should be regular
Giving should be individual
Giving should be planned
Giving should be proportional
Giving should be sacrificial
Giving should be cheerful
Appendix:
Five things every Christian should be participating in and growing in:
1. Public Worship
2. Private Worship/Personal piety (the word read and meditated upon, prayer)
3. Service (using abilities to serve others)
4. Witness
5. Giving
Note how numbers 2-5 flow out of number 1.