What Should The Church Do When It Gathers? - Congregational Worship (Part 4)

worship Congregational Worship How the church gathers as God’s people Resource: Corporate Worship - Matt Merker (Crossway Publishers) Fat her Son God gathers us together GOD Spirit Election for the praise of His glory , Fat her Son God gathers us together GOD Spirit Election Exaltation for the praise of His glory , our personal joy in Him, Fat her Son God gathers us together GOD Spirit Election Exaltation Enjoyment for the praise of His glory , our personal joy in Him, the mutual good of His people Fat her Son God gathers us together GOD Spirit Election Exaltation Enjoyment Edification for the praise of His glory , our personal joy in Him, the mutual good of His people and as a witness to the world . Fat her Son God gathers us together GOD Spirit Election Exaltation Enjoyment Evangelism Edification What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. God governs and informs our church gathering. “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV) “. . . When you come together . . . . all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:26, 40 ESV) ➡ The Regulative Principle - God’s Word determines the main elements of our church gathering. 2. God reveals Himself to us through His Word. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV) “And we have the prophetic word more fully conf irmed, to which you will do well to pay attention . . . . For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke f rom God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21 ESV) “All Scripture is breathed out by God and prof itable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word “ . . . devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture . . .” (1 Timothy 4:13 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word 2. Preach the Word “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2 ESV) “ . . . devote yourself to . . . to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word 2. Preach the Word 3. Sing the Word “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word 2. Preach the Word 3. Sing the Word 4. Pray the Word “And they devoted themselves to . . . the prayers.” (Acts 2:42 ESV) (cf. Acts 4:24-31) “. . . I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word 2. Preach the Word 3. Sing the Word 4. Pray the Word 5. Portray the Word (Baptism, Communion) “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised f rom the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word 2. Preach the Word 3. Sing the Word 4. Pray the Word 5. Portray the Word (Baptism, Communion) “ . . . . Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:25-26 ESV) What? What should we do when the church gathers? 1. Read the Word 2. Preach the Word 3. Sing the Word 4. Pray the Word 5. Portray the Word (Baptism, Communion) 6. Obey the Word (Church Discipline) (Matthew 18:15-20) How important is God’s Word in your life? “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much f ine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7-11 ESV)