Returning "Amen" to Corporate Worship (1 Cor. 14:16)

Introduction

· Please turn to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, ch. 14.

· I want to look with you this morning at just one word. It has been called the most well-known word in the world. It is spoken on every corner of the globe today, and has been spoken for thousands of years. It comes from the lips of Christians, Jews, and even Muslims. It is uttered at millions of dinner tables every night. It has been spoken here already this morning.

· It is the word ‘Amen.’ What does it mean? Why do we say it? Should we be saying?

· I want to discuss this word with you this morning, gleaning some principles that help us to understand worship in general.

· Sermon title: ‘Returning Amen to Corporate Worship.’

· Read 1 Cor. 14:13-17.

· Paul’s argument here. How can we say, Yes! We agree! Let it be so!

WHAT does it mean?

· Hebrew – comes from a Hebrew word meaning to be firm, steady, trustworthy. Something reliable, established, faithful. E.g. roller skating or skiing. Always glad to get back on land again. Its cousin is emeth, truth, firmness, certainty.

· 1 Chronicles 16:35–36 when David brought ark to tent in Jerusalem. 35 Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. 36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

· Greek – carries over to NT. Certainly, truly. An affirmation of what was stated. After prayers of eulogy/doxology, blessing on people. Ephesians 3:20–21 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

· Christ’s use – nearly 70x in Gospels. Unlike the prophets. Shows His Deity! John 3:3 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

· Church history: The early church father Jerome said ‘the united voice of the people in the Amen sounded like the fall of water or the sound of thunder.’ (WSNT)

· Last question in Heidelberg Catechism (1563) on the Lord’s Prayer: “What does the word ‘Amen’ signify? ‘Amen’ signifies, it shall truly and certainly be: for my prayers is more assuredly heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him.”

WHO should say it?

· All the congregation

· Nehemiah 8:1–6 1 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, HashBADDanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

· 1 Corinthians 14:16 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?

· Some will be more inclined, but all should join in.

WHY should we say it?

· NOT: as empty ritual; to draw attention to ourselves; to drive a hobby horse.

· Isaiah 29:13–14 13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, 14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”

· Matthew 6:5–8 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

· To give assent – suggests we are paying attention! Don’t say it if you disagree.

· To build up - 1 Corinthians 14:26 26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

WHEN should we say it?

· After corporate prayer - Psalm 106:48 48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord! 2 Peter 3:18 et al. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

· After reading of God’s word – See Deut 27:25f. Mt. Gerizim (bless), Ebal (curse). And remember Neh. 8 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

· Perhaps interspersed, but primarily as a congregation.

HOW should we say it?

· In confidence. B/c we are obeying the Word of God.

· In reverence. Our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28 28 …let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

· In unity. Romans 15:5–6 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

· Amen means to give assent, to say something is trustworthy. It is God’s prescribed way for the whole congregation to engage in worship and give affirmation.

· Jesus is the great “Amen.”

· 2 Corinthians 1:20 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

· Revelation 3:14 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. Are you trusting in Him today?