A Worshipping Community

Introduction

Good morning, church. Good Morning to those on the live stream. We are glad to have that technology available so that those of you who couldn’t make it here in person could join us.

Well this is the final installment of our series called “Community” where we have been exploring what a community of Christ followers might actually look like if we truly followed the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives, if we made a habit of extending the same grace to others as God has extended to us, and if we demonstrated Biblical love to those around us.

We have spent that last ten weeks or so examining

A community that is a bit peculiar in comparison to the world around it.

A Community that is hopeful about not only the present but also the future.

A Community that is quick to serve those around us.

A Community that centers its attention on and devotion to Christ.

A Community that is quick to reconcile and make amends when division threatens.

A community that encourages and lifts one another up.

A community that is generous with the abundance that God has provided and sees to the needs of others.

Last week we looked at a Hospitable community and today we are going ot wrap this series up by looking at...

A Worshipping community.

The truth is, this morning, we’re gathering not just as individuals, but as a body. Not as scattered parts, but as a united people, called together in the presence of God.

And what are we here to do? Well, I submit to you this morning that we are here to worship.

When we hear the word worship, we often relegate the idea to the Music portion of our Sunday event. In fact there are those of you who look at Sean as our “Worship Leader” and the rest of the team as our worship band or worship team. And though it is true that music is indeed an important aspect to our Sunday morning gatherings, it is just a part of the Worship experience that so many play a part in each week.

The truth is, our corporate worship begins the moment we arrive in the parking lot and does not end until we leave the building and go our separate ways.

In my study this week I came across this passage in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 “1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.”

Oftentimes, when we’re seeking something deeper spiritually, it’s surprisingly easy to slip into routine—doing all the "right" religious things but missing the real relationship with God. Solomon, who explored every avenue in search of lasting fulfillment, came to see this firsthand. He watched people perform religious duties but realized that without real connection to God, it all rang hollow.

We’ve likely all been there at some point—attending church, singing songs, reciting prayers—yet sensing that something is missing. Have you ever paused and wondered, “Why am I doing this? Is my heart truly in it?”

That’s why Solomon tells us to be careful how we approach the presence of God. Don’t rush in on autopilot. Don’t offer up words or worship without thinking. What Solomon calls “the sacrifice of fools” happens when we do religious things out of habit, not out of love or awe for God.

Real worship isn’t just about external actions; it’s about what’s happening inside us. It’s not about checking boxes—it’s about coming before God with humility, ready to listen, willing to be shaped, and to give ourselves to Him fully. Worship isn’t just what we sing or say—it’s how we surrender.

So when it comes to our corporate worship gathering on Sunday mornings, it would serve us well to take a moment. Slow down. Remember who we are approaching. Let our heart be quiet, open, and ready to receive. To let our offering be our very lives—our thoughts, our choices, our obedience. That’s the kind of worship God desires. And in that place, you’ll find the fulfillment Solomon was searching for—the kind that only comes through a real and growing relationship with the living God.

Many believe worship is an obligation we owe to God. A kind of divine debt we’re required to pay off every Sunday. That’s a false narrative. The truth? Worship is not an obligation—we're not here to meet God's needs. Worship is an invitation—a divine gift where God meets our deepest needs.

We don’t worship because God needs it. We worship because we need Him—and because in worship, He forms us, teaches us, forgives us, fills us, and sends us.

So today, I want to invite you to consider with me: what community worship really is, why it matters, and how each part of our time together can and should be a sacred moment of transformation.

I. The Call to Gather (Hebrews 10:25)

In Hebrews 10:25 we are issued a call to gather together.

"Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." — Hebrews 10:25

The early church didn’t gather out of tradition or duty. They gathered because the world was hostile, their faith was fragile, and they needed each other. Just like we do. I grew up being taught that I should never rely on anyone else. That it was up to me and me alone to determine how my life went and the steps I needed to take to make it that way. But the truth is, whether you believe it or not, or like it or not, we need each other. It is pure arrogance to think otherwise. God created us to need each other. That’s why we are called the body of Christ. A body has many parts and no part does well without the others. I need you. I need your encouragement. I need your prayers. At times I need your council. And you need those things from me too. We need each other.

We live in a culture of hyper-individualism. The lie says: “I can worship God on my own just fine.” But that’s not the gospel. That’s not the design that God has in place.

God made us a Body, not a collection of solo believers. In fact, let’s turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 12 for a moment. I know we have read this a million times and there have been countless sermons preached on it, but let’s read it again so we don’t forget.

1Co 12:12-27 ESV - 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

As a body, worshiping together encourages us, shapes us, and reminds us we are not alone.

Every time you walk through the doors of the church, you are saying: “I still believe. I still belong. I still need Jesus—and I still need His people.”

II. The Heart of Worship (John 4:24)

John 4:24 tells us...

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." — John 4:24

Jesus told the woman at the well that the place of worship was no longer the issue. It wasn’t about the mountain or the temple. It was about the heart—spirit and truth.

To worship “in spirit” means with our whole being—authentic, alive, and surrendered.

To worship “in truth” means according to who God really is, revealed in Jesus and in His Word.

But here’s the connection: we don’t just worship in spirit and truth as individuals.

Corporate worship is a collective act of spirit and truth.

Your presence, your voice, your prayers, your attention—it all contributes to the holy atmosphere of our gatherings.

III. The Expression of Worship (Colossians 3:16)

“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

When we gather, Christ’s Word takes root not just in me, but in us. Together. Community worship helps the truth of Jesus take hold of the church.

We teach and admonish one another. We sing truth into each other's souls. We remind each other who God is—and who we are in Him. So what I want to do the the time we have left this morning is to take a look at....

IV. The Sacred Movements of Worship

Let’s walk through things that happen here when we gather each week, the traditional movements of worship if you will, and see how each one is not empty routine, but rich and life-giving if we will allow. The first is...

1. The Greeting

This is more than “Good morning.” It's a welcoming into God’s presence. We pass peace, we greet in love, and we remember that Christ Himself welcomes us. We see this in the way the Apostle Paul greeted the Ephesian believers when he wrote...

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” — Ephesians 1:2

Notice that Paul’s greeting was not only from him, but from him on behalf of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

In many churches, the greeting might seem like the least spiritual part of the service. It’s often seen as a simple handshake, a smile, or the time when visitors are awkwardly asked to stand. But when we understand the biblical and theological richness of this moment, we realize the greeting is not just a casual exchange—it is a sacred act of welcome and identity. Four things to consider about the greeting.

The Greeting Reflects God’s Welcome

The first movement of corporate worship is God's welcome to us. Every time we gather, we are being welcomed into the presence of the Triune God who has already drawn near. And when we extend a greeting to one another, we are echoing God’s welcome.

Romans 15:7 “7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

This greeting is not based on personality or preference. It’s not: “I’ll greet the people I know or like.” It’s: “Because Christ has welcomed me, I welcome you.”

When the church greets one another with warmth, intention, and spiritual awareness, we embody the hospitality of Jesus. So the greeting reflects God’s Welcome. Next...

The Greeting Reminds Us Who We Are

When we say “good morning,” when we pass the peace, when we look someone in the eye and say, “I’m glad you’re here”—we are reminding each other: “You’re not just a face in the crowd. You’re part of the Body. You’re seen. You’re valued. You belong.”

This is powerful in a world filled with isolation and invisibility. The church is a place where you are known, not ignored. Named, not dismissed. Greeted, not passed over.

Next,

The Greeting Is a First Act of Worship

Worship doesn’t begin with a song or a prayer—it begins with presence and attention.

When we greet one another with intention, we are:

Revering the image of God in each person.

Creating sacred space for relationship to flourish.

Prepping our hearts to worship not as isolated individuals, but as a collective Body.

Jesus said, “Where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” (Matt. 18:20). The greeting recognizes that presence—not only Jesus’ presence with us, but His presence in each other. And finally...

The Greeting Anticipates the Kingdom

In Revelation 7:9, we see a vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered in worship before the throne. The church’s greeting is a foretaste of that future.

When we greet each other across age, race, culture, or status, we declare that the barriers of the world do not exist in the Kingdom of God. Each Sunday, the greeting becomes a prophetic act—a whisper of heaven on earth.

So there. i bet you never imagined all that was in the simple Sunday mornint meet and greet!

So let me challenge you with this...

Make your Sunday morning greetings more than a moment

Don’t just greet your friends. Greet the stranger.

Don’t just say hello. Offer presence and warmth.

Let your greeting be an act of faith—believing that God is present in your hospitality.

Every greeting is a seed of community. And community is where transformation grows. Okay, what else happens during Sunday Worship?

2. Confession and Forgiveness

We confess together—not to shame ourselves, but to open ourselves. We tell the truth about our sin so we can hear the deeper truth of God's grace. You say hold on there Hutch! Who said anything about confessing my sins on Sunday morning? Well, God’s Word clearly does.

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Here is the good news: Confession never ends in guilt. It leads to grace.

The declaration of forgiveness that follows is not merely symbolic. It is a real proclamation that, because of Christ’s finished work on the cross, your sins are truly forgiven. Not hypothetically. Not potentially. Truly. Right now.

Confession is also not penance. It's freedom. It does one’s soul good to lay our sin burdens down at the feet of God. So know this beloved. In Jesus Christ you are forgiven! our response to that should be “Thanks be to God!” Amen?

So my challenge to you here is as soon as possible after you arrive, confess. Because Confession and Forgiveness Restores the Worshiper

When we skip confession, we carry hidden guilt. When we receive forgiveness, we are restored—cleansed and ready to worship with a free heart.

This movement shapes us spiritually:

It softens hardened hearts.

It reconciles us to God and one another.

It creates space for the Spirit to move freely.

It also teaches us how to live. Confession and forgiveness are not just Sunday practices—they’re daily postures. In our relationships, our marriages, our friendships, and our community life—we are called to be a confessing and forgiving people.

“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…” — Matthew 6:12

Next...

3. Creeds

In many worship services creeds (like the Apostles' or Nicene Creed) are recited. These are not to be read as empty tradition, but as a declaration: This is what we believe. The word “creed” comes from the Latin credo, meaning “I believe.” But in corporate worship, it’s not just “I believe.” It’s “We believe.”

We live in a world of shifting values and fluid beliefs. One week it’s this, next week it’s that. The culture is constantly rewriting its gospel.

But the creeds remind us that the truth of our faith is not up for redefinition.

When we say the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed, we are saying:

There is one God.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

He was crucified, died, and rose again.

Our sins are forgiven.

Jesus is coming again.

The Holy Spirit is alive and active.

We are part of one holy, universal Church.

We have the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

BTW - (the word “catholic in the Apostles creed is not capitalized and so its not speaking of a denomination but using the actual Greek meaning which was a ref to the worldwide, universal church.)

So, the creed is like spiritual scaffolding—it supports our understanding of Scripture and keeps the Church from drifting into error.

Something we don’t do here on Sunday morning. Perhaps that needs to change. Elder’s remind me I said that. Next.

4. The Commands and Prayer

In Exodus 20 the Lord gives the Israelites His commands. Right up front, before giving them His commands, He reminds them in Exodus 20:2 - 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

When we read or recite the commandments of God in worship—whether the Ten Commandments, the two great commandments (Matthew 22:37–40), or the teachings of Jesus—we are not simply reciting ancient rules. We are entering into covenant language—God’s holy vision for life with His people.

The Commands Are a Mirror

They show us what God is like—holy, just, faithful, loving. They also show us what we are not. They convict. They expose. They remind us of how far we fall short.

“Through the law we become conscious of our sin.” — Romans 3:20

But that’s not where they leave us.

The Commands Are also a Map

The law is not just a mirror that reveals sin—it’s a map that reveals the way of life in God’s kingdom. Obedience is not about legalism. It’s about love. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Reading the commandments in worship is a sacred moment of alignment where we say: “Lord, re-shape my heart to want what You want. Teach me to walk in Your ways.”

The Commands Are a Communal Covenant

We don’t just obey in isolation. The reading of God’s law in worship reminds the whole Body that we are accountable to one another in this journey. We are a covenant community.

And what about prayer? Well when we look at the Lord’s prayer what we see is a pattern for life together.

The Lord’s Prayer is not just a rote prayer to be repeated. It’s a blueprint for every prayer we will ever pray. It is both deeply personal and also profoundly communal.

“Our Father…” — indicates we should Worship as Family

Jesus teaches us to say “Our,” not “My.” That’s significant. When we pray together, we are reminded that we are siblings—not just fellow believers, but part of a redeemed family.

“Hallowed Be Your Name…” — shows us Worship as Reverence

Worship lifts God’s name above all others. The prayer begins not with “my needs,” but with God’s glory. We pray for God’s name to be honored, His kingdom to come, His will to be done. This re-orients our desires and aligns us with God’s larger story.

“Give Us… Forgive Us… Lead Us…” — all show us that Worship is about dependence on Him.

We ask as a people. “Give us our daily bread…” We forgive as a people. “Forgive us our sins…” We trust as a people. “Deliver us from evil…”

This sacred prayer is not about personal spirituality alone—it trains us to think like the Body of Christ, dependent on God and each other.

And now to the sacred movement of our corporate service that is pretty personal to me.

5. Scripture and Sermon

In every worship gathering, there comes a moment when we pause to listen—not to music, not to each other, but to the voice of God through His Word. That moment is sacred. And it is not optional or secondary—it is central.

Two things should always happen when any preacher steps up to address the church.

The Word of God is read.

A proclamation about that word is made that helps to form the people of God.

When we read the Scriptures and receive the sermon, we’re not merely engaging in intellectual exercise or religious tradition. We are encountering God’s living voice, and we are being called to respond.

1. The Reading of Scripture: Hearing God's Voice Together

Paul told Timothy...

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture…” — 1 Timothy 4:13

The Bible is not just a book we study—it’s a Word we stand under. And in worship, we don’t just read the Bible for information—we receive it as revelation. It is God speaking here and now. A couple points I want to make about scripture. First of all,...

Scripture Is God’s Living Voice

We are told in Hebrews that...

“The word of God is living and active…” — Hebrews 4:12

Every time the Word is read aloud in the gathering, something spiritual happens. It cuts, convicts, comforts, and calls. We are not just listening to ancient words—we are hearing the voice of the same God who spoke the world into being. And second,

Scripture in Worship Is a Communal Act

Reading Scripture aloud reminds us that God is not speaking to me alone—He is addressing us. We are not isolated students but a gathered people under the authority of our King. This act unifies us, centers us, and grounds us in what is true, especially in the world full of noise and false narratives that we live in today..

Now what about the sermon itself.

2. The Sermon: Proclamation That Forms the People of God

One of my all time favorite passages in scripture, and quite frankly, the passage that continues to inspire me to get up here every Sunday morning and do what I do is found in Romans chapter 10 verses 13-17.

Rom 10:13-17 ESV - 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Well I love that! That is a truth and a promise that gives me hope.

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

There is is!

I have always believed that the human foot is the ugliest part of the body. But I must stand corrected. The word of God says my feet are beautiful!

Kidding aside, clearly Paul considered preaching to be pretty important. I do to. Look, I know most of you will walk out of here and forget most of what you heard me say. But I do this because if one thing sticks, there is a chance that one thing will prompt you to turn your attention towards Him and call out to Him.

And I have been doing this long enough to know that verse 16 is true.

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

I continue to be astounded that after I preach, every single person in the room does not stand up, shout hallelujah, repent of their sins and spend the next week more committed to following Jesus than ever before. And apparently I am not alone in that. Even Isaiah had to ask, Lord, who has believed what I just said! and finally v 17...

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The sermon is not a motivational talk, a theological lecture, or a commentary on culture. It is a Spirit-empowered proclamation of God’s truth that calls the people of God to faith, obedience, and transformation.

Preaching takes the revealed Word and applies it to the hearts of real people living in real circumstances. It’s where eternal truth meets everyday life.

When preaching is faithful, Spirit-led, and rooted in Scripture:

It comforts the broken

Confronts the complacent

Calls sinners to repentance

Encourages saints in their walk

And lifts high the person and work of Jesus

And so I take it seriously. Do I succeed at all those things every week. I do not. but whether things happen or not, because I have been called to this, I am compelled to keep doing it.

I think this why Paul instructed Timothy to...

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season… for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching…” — 2 Timothy 4:2-3

You see, the preacher doesn’t speak on his own authority. He speaks under the authority of the Word. The pulpit is not a platform for personal opinions—it is a sacred desk from which the living Word of God is declared to the people of God. So I do expect a response from every one in the room when God’s Word is read and expounded on. But if you do not respond to what you hear, that is on you, not me. And it gives me no excuse to stop doing what God has called me to do.

This is why Paul said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16)

The reading of Scripture is not a filler—it is the voice of God among us. The sermon is not a speech—it is the proclamation of the Word made fresh and real for today.

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” — Romans 10:17

Next is

6. Communion (The Lord’s Supper)

Once a month we observe the Lord’s Supper. It is a chance for us to taste grace. We remember the cross. We proclaim Jesus' death until He returns (1 Cor. 11:26). and in this, we are united as one Body.

It's not a personal snack—it’s a shared meal of the redeemed.

Now we come to the music.

7. Singing

To me, singing is theology set on fire. It’s doctrine sung in unity. It opens our hearts and teaches our minds. We are told in Colossians that, Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs… All have a place. There is much more i could say about music but I think music speaks for itsself in the way it moves our inner being closer to the One we worship.

8. Offering Gifts

This isn’t about keeping the lights on. It’s about saying, “God, I trust you. I give back what is already yours.” The New Covenant word on giving is simple...

“Each of you should give… not reluctantly or under compulsion…” — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Worship includes generosity. And finally we have the

9. Benediction / Sending Forth

We don’t just end worship—we are sent from worship. The benediction is not just a goodbye—it’s a blessing, a commission:

“The Lord bless you and keep you…” — Numbers 6:24–26

You are now carriers of what you’ve received.

So, the false narrative about worship is that: “Worship is an obligation. It’s something I owe God, and if I don’t show up, I’m letting Him down.” Well this just...

Makes God into a taskmaster and worship into a duty.

It drains worship of joy, meaning, and wonder.

True Narrative: “Worship is an invitation. It’s a gracious gift where I meet God and am formed by His Spirit in the company of His people.”

God isn’t needy—we are. Worship is where He meets us.

Worship is not transactional—it is transformational.

Conclusion: Why We Gather

We gather because:

We need Jesus.

We need each other.

The world needs a worshiping church.

God forms us through the rhythms of community worship—greeting, confessing, singing, hearing, giving, communing, and being sent. These are not dead traditions. They are sacred movements of grace. So let me close with this challenge to all of you...

Call to Action

Reframe your mindset: Worship isn’t something you have to do—it’s something you get to do.

Commit to regular, gathered worship. Not just attending—but engaging.

Come prepared. Pray before you come. Bring your heart. Bring your voice.

See the people around you as part of your worship. You sing for them. They sing for you.

Amen? Let’s pray.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for the invitation to worship. Not as an obligation or burden, but as a gift where You meet us, shape us, and send us. Forgive us when we treat worship as a routine or a performance. Renew our vision of what it means to gather as Your people. Help us to worship in spirit and in truth—with joy, sincerity, and reverence. Let every greeting be filled with welcome. Let every confession be met with grace. Let every creed remind us of our shared faith. Let every song rise like incense to Your throne. Let Your Word dwell richly among us. Let communion unite us in Christ. Let our offerings reflect our trust. And let Your sending bless us with purpose. May we be a worshiping people—transformed and together— For Your glory, I pray this in the strong name of Jesus Christ. Amen.