Our Worship

Worship: Adoring reverence or regard.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to diligently train our children; to seek salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world, to practice integrity in all our dealings; to be an example in our conduct, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We display integrity in our...

Personal Worship and Witness at Work

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to diligently train our children; to seek salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world, to practice integrity in all our dealings; to be an example in our conduct, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

What would it look like for you to have a personal relationship with God that was so powerful that even the government sought your approval?

Mary Queen of Scots allegedly stated that she feared the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.

Daniel 6:4–14 NASB95

Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.” Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! “All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. “Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.” Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.

Who do you turn to for help when you need it?

We respect the people we turn to for help when we need it.

Who do you give your best time and energy to every day?

We honor the people we give our time and energy to.

(30m)

We display integrity in our...

Family Worship and Witness at Home

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to diligently train our children; to seek salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world, to practice integrity in all our dealings; to be an example in our conduct, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

Psalm 127 NASB95

A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Worship at home tells our children they are important.

Deuteronomy 6:4–12 NASB95

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. “Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

We live in a generation that has forgotten why we are blessed.

If you do not worship God at home and share the Gospel with your children, don’t expect them to worship God at church and become Christians.

(20m)

Public Worship and Witness in Community

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to diligently train our children; to seek salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world, to practice integrity in all our dealings; to be an example in our conduct, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

Mouw states that, “we should be publicly righteous and our churches should be formation centers for public righteousness.”

Matthew 5:13–16 NASB95

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Shows New Believers How to Worship

Give me a Christian who doesn’t know how to pray or study the Bible and I will show you a church that doesn’t prioritize public worship.

Shows Our Community Who We Worship

Give me an unbeliever who regularly attends a church because they enjoy it and I will show you a church that doesn’t prioritize obedience to Christ.

Shows Unbelievers Why We Worship

Give me a Christian who is growing in love and obedience to Christ and I will show you a church that prioritizes the Gospel in public worship.

(10m)

CONCLUSION

What should worship look like?

Psalm 15 NASB95

A Psalm of David. O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

QUESTIONS

Are you giving God your best time and energy each day?

Will your spouse and children know Jesus because of your times together as a family at home?

Does the community know who we worship?