| The Bible shows
that God does not accept all worship that people offer Him. God
has even asked some worshipers not to worship Him anymore until
they make some needed changes!
(Malachi 1:6-10)
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I
be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where
is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that
despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein
have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is
contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it
not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?
offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or
accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. 9 And now, I pray
you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath
been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD
of hosts. 10 Who is there even among you that would shut the
doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for
nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts,
neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
God also
punished two religious leaders in the Old Testament for
worshiping Him through means He had not commanded.
(Leviticus
10:1-2) And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of
them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon,
and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded
them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured
them, and they died before the LORD.
Human beings
need to worship God in Whose image we are created. True worship
brings dignity to our lives. We need to know how to worship God
according to his will or else our worship will be in vain.
IN
SPIRIT AND TRUTH
"Worship"
is the adoration of God. Acceptable worship must consist of
appointed acts which are motivated by respect. Jesus came that
we might worship God "in spirit and in truth". One can
find out about such worship in the New Testament. It is the only
reliable source of information!
(John 4:23) But
the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him.
Early Christians
met together to worship God at various times in addition to
their regular assembly on the first day of each week, or Sunday
which came to be referred to as "the Lord's Day".
(Acts 20:7) And
upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together
to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the
morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
(1 Corinthians
16:1-2) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have
given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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.
(Revelation
1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me
a great voice, as of a trumpet,
This was a
different day of worship than what had been used in the Old
Testament period. The Israelites had been commanded to observe
the Sabbath day (Saturday). However, the New Testament teaches
that we are no longer under this law. Sabbath observance passed
away with the Old Law.
(Colossians
2:13-17) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision
of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of
ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having
spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them
openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore
judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or
of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow
of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
(Hebrews 8:13)
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
(Hebrews 7:12)
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law.
The will of
Christ is our authority and we must look there to learn of what
worship ought to consist. Many will be surprised to see how
worship has changed over the centuries. But the critical point
is this: no one had the right to change worship of God at all!
If our worship is to be acceptable unto God, then it must be
according to His will.
(Matthew 15:9)
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
(Galatians
1:8-9) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any
man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed.
THE
LORD'S SUPPER
One reason that
disciples met upon the first day of each week was to "break
bread" or partake of the memorial supper as Jesus had
commanded. It was a very solemn occasion indeed. We must not
change that which has been revealed to us concerning its
observance.
It was appointed
by Jesus Himself
(Matthew
26:26-29) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed
it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take,
eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks,
and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is
my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink
henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I
drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Its purpose was
to help us remember how He gave His life for our salvation and
to proclaim our faith in Him
(1 Corinthians
11:23-26) For I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which
he was betrayed took bread: 24 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 show the Lord's death till he come.
The items of the
supper consist of the bread and the fruit of the vine. These
symbols remind disciples of His body as it hung on the cross and
the blood which flowed from His wounds.
(Luke 22:19-20)
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto
them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in
remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper,
saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed
for you.
Under the
guidance of the apostles and by the will of God, the early
church would come together on the first day of the week to
partake of the supper.
(Acts 20:7) And
upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together
to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the
morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Disciples would
meditate about the sacrifice of Christ and what it meant to
them. They would commune with the Lord and be strengthened in
the week to follow.
(1 Corinthians
11:27-29) 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.
PRAYER
Prayer has always
been a vital part of the everyday lives of God's people. Early
Christians also prayed as they gathered together to worship.
Prayer is communicating with God.
As Christians we
pray "in Jesus' name" which simply means by His
authority. We cannot approach God through any other mediator.
(1 Timothy 2:5)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
(Hebrews
4:14-16) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 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.
Prayer's purpose
is to assist us in building our relationship with God. It is not
to inform God of something which He may not be aware of or to
try to convince Him to love us. He already knows our needs and
He has certainly shown his love. We trust Him to do what is best
even when we fail to see the results for which we had hoped.
(Matthew 7:7-11)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his
son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish,
will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how
to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your
Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(Ephesians
3:20-21) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Proper prayer
includes having correct attitudes and must be according to God's
will. Selfish or self-righteous prayers are not acceptable.
(James 1:5-8) If
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For
let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the
Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
(James 4:3) Ye
ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume
it upon your lusts.
(1 John 5:14)
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask
any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
SINGING
God's children
worship Him in song, both privately and when they assemble
together. The purpose is to glorify God and to build up one
another.
(Ephesians 5:19)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
In the New
Testament the music offered unto God by His church was purely
vocal. This continued to be the case for centuries until musical
instruments gradually began to be accepted in more and more
places. Of course, the real question is whether any of us have
the right to make changes in what God has appointed in the
doctrine of Christ.
Early Christians
sang psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as they lifted up their
voices in praise of God
(Colossians
3:16-17) 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. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by
him.
TEACHING
Christians also
spent time contemplating God's word together as they received
instruction. This would help them know more about God's will and
character and how it ought to affect their lives.
Disciples
continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles. They had
great confidence in the Scripture as God's Word and as a
completely reliable guide for life.
(Acts 2:42) And
they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(2 Timothy
3:16-17) 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.
Teaching took
the form of reproof, rebuke and exhortation; all with the
purpose of encouraging faithful living on the parts of the
hearers.
(2 Timothy
4:1-5) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
GIVING
Members of the
Lord's body were instructed to give. Specific guidelines were
given and ought to be observed.
The work of the
church involves financial considerations.
(2 Corinthians
8:1-4) Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great
trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to
their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they
were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much entreaty that
we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of
the ministering to the saints.
(Philippians
4:15) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the
gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated
with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
The method of
providing for these needs was to take up a collection from among
the members of a local church on the first day of the week.
Disciples were not commanded to give a specific amount or
percentage, but simply told to decide in their own hearts and
according to how God had prospered them.
(1 Corinthians
16:1-2) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have
given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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.
They were also
told to give cheerfully.
(2 Corinthians
9:6-7) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also
sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully. 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.
CONCLUSION
The command to
worship God is not without purpose. By doing so we glorify
God...
(Revelation
4:10-11) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that
sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and
ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 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.
dignify
ourselves . . .
(Philippians
3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the
spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in
the flesh.
(Philippians
3:13-14) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus.
. . . and
express our faith.
(Hebrews 13:15)
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his
name.
Worship that God
finds acceptable takes place in the heart of the individual as
he expresses his love for God through the actions which God
Himself has appointed.
LESSON #9 is
entitled "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH" and deals with how
Jesus fulfilled this promise and exactly what it was that He
built.
CAN
YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Using this
lesson and your Bible, please look up the passages cited, then
answer the following questions.
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Last revised:
February 22, 2007 . |
