The Church's Purpose to Love God Is Expressed Through Worship

Training Category: Church Purpose
 

Putting God First
 

The Priority of Worship:

  • refusal to worship caused Satan's fall (Isa. 14:12-14)
  • central in O.T. law (Ex. 20:1-7; 34:14)
  • detailed plans given to Moses for tabernacle worship (Ex. 25-30)
  • detailed plans given to David for temple worship (1 Chron. 22-26)
  • Israel judged because they did not worship God (2 Chron. 7:21-22; 24:18; Jer. 16:10-11; 22:8-9)
  • people have risked their lives rather than stop worshiping God (Dan. 3:10-18, 28; 6:1-28)
  • Jesus lived to glorify the Father (Jn. 2:13-17; 8:29; 13:31-32; 17:1)
  • integral part of early church life (Acts 2:42-47)
  • will continue into eternity (Rev. 4:10-11; 7:11-12; 11:16-17; 19:4-8)
     

The Program for Worship:

  • substance over style/form (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 10:22; Jn. 4:20-24)
  • individual and corporate (Rom. 12:1-2; Lk. 10:38-42; Ps. 150:1; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:25)
  • inward response then outward expression (Isa. 29:13; Ps. 51:15-17; Lk. 6:45)
  • integrated into whole of life not compartmentalized nor limited to a time or place (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; Heb. 13:15-16; Jn. 4:20-24)
  • reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28-29) yet not exclusive of joy (Ps. 100:1-2)
     

The Process for Worship:

  • offering spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Chron. 16:29; Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:4-5)
  • ascribing to God the glory due His name (Ps. 29:1-2)
  • responding to truth from preaching, teaching and reading of the Word (Ps. 86:11; Jn. 4:23-24; Col. 3:16; Neh. 8:2-6)
  • giving of our material resources (Phil. 4:18)
  • thanksgiving and praise (Heb. 13:15-16)
  • doing good and sharing with others (Heb. 13:15-16)
  • singing and instrumental music (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Ps. 150)
     

The Product of Worship:

  • honor and glory given to God (Ps. 50:23)
  • purified hearts yielded in service to God (Ps. 24:3-4; Isa. 6:1-8)
  • testimony for God lived before unbelievers (Rom. 15:16)
     

The Church Purpose Ministry Manual provides some additional input and questions for you to reflect on regarding the priority, program, process, and end result (product) of worship in your church.
 

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