Worship through the Word

Our corporate worship is shaped by the Word ()

Explanation: We joyfully proclaim the truth of the Gospel when we meet together. We have an understanding that the mission of the church is unique in the world. No other organization has the sole responsibility of sharing the Gospel of Jesus. No other message, no one besides Jesus can redeem lives.

As we gather, that message is faithfully and continually proclaimed that others might hear the good news and become gloriously saved. The message of the Gospel is continually proclaimed that believers might be spiritually equipped for service and to grow in Christ-likeness. The message of the Gospel is found in the Word of God, so we proclaim the “whole counsel of God” for His glory and the building of His kingdom

Argument: Any true Christian church has worship that is bound by the precepts and teachings of the Word of God. The Bible is the playbook for planning and conducting our services. We strive not to go beyond what is written, and at the same time to be faithful to what has been revealed. As your pastor, I am committed to the faithful exposition of His Word

Application: Understand that the precepts of the Word confine what takes place in this fellowship. Do not be surprised to discover some things are out of bounds in a Bible-centered church.

The power in our Worship has its source in the Word ()

Explanation: The Word of God is living and powerful. It is the dynamic force that drives worship that pleases God. Without the foundation of the Word, the worship may be emotive, but it will be empty of the power to transform lives.

Illustrate: Consider the response to the choir selection last Sunday. We experienced emotion and power. Why? Because the response was driven by a Word-based understanding to the lyrics. The Blood of Jesus does redeem us, and His life gives us hope. Apart from that understanding, we just have shouting to shout

Argument: Whatever we do, whatever ministry direction we take as a church must be firmly based in the Word of God. The prophet Isaiah declared the Word is the agent of transformation. () Only the Word has the necessary power that is needed; nothing else will suffice!

Application: Respect the Word of God for what it is. It is the living, breathing power of God. The Word is the inerrant revelation from God Himself, it is His, and it is given to mankind for our good.

For our worship to remain pure we must not neglect the ministry of the Word ()

Explanation: It is one thing to proclaim or profess a belief; it is quite another thing to actually practice that belief. Paul is warning Timothy against the subtle voices and pressures that would distract from keeping the Word as priority. As most of the members would not own a personal copy of the LXX, it was very important for them to be able to hear the Word. The public proclamation was not to be neglected

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Illustrate: There are those who profess a love for Christ, but not for His Church. Theirs is the mindset of “I can worship God on the lake, the ballfield, the coast, the mountains, ....” While a believing Christian can indeed worship God anywhere and at any time, he or she also realizes a continued absence from the house of God is sin ()

Argument: Regardless of the skill of the preacher, there is a supernatural dynamic which takes place in God’s house when His Word is publicly proclaimed to His people who are gathered for the purpose of worship. Yes, a person can watch several genuine servants of God on TV or the internet, but there is no substitute for being gathered for worship. (Of course, this does not apply to the homebound or those physically unable to be in worship)

Application: Resolve to be faithful to the house of God. Determine to be in your place on a regular basis that you may experience God as part of His body

For meaningful worship, each believer has the individual responsibility to be a serious student of the Word ()

Explanation: Each believer is given the stewardship of the Word of God. Each of us is responsible for being a continual student of the Bible. No one of us, not even the most gifted professor, gains complete mastery of the Scriptures. But, we should have the desire to learn from and be transformed by the Word.

Illustrate: Allison at GNC - she was upset because her bookmark came out of her Bible and she lost the place where she had been reading.

Argument: Ask yourself this question: “If you heard false teaching, would you know it?” While the pastor of a church is ultimately responsible for the content of the teaching, the members have an individual responsibility before God to confront false teaching, and to leave a fellowship if the situation is not corrected. (cf., ). When Paul brought the Gospel of Jesus to the Jews at Berea, some of them “searched the Scriptures daily” () to verify his account.

Application: Each is responsible for Bible Intake and meditation. No one only eats one meal / week, almost all of us eat 2-3/day! If we fed ourselves physically like we fed ourselves spiritually, many would be dead!

What is one thing you can do to improve your personal intake of the Word?