sf397 - The Marks Of A New Testament Church 1 Of 4 A Biblical Understanding Of Theology And Worship (Matthew 16 13-20)
Matthew 16:13-20
Introduction
Three years ago this month this body of believers gathered to establish a New Testament Church.
In the earliest days of this fellowship we determined to seek to build this church upon the foundation that Christ has set forth in His Word.
The foundation that is based on God’s Word and His gospel. I could not agree with Charles Spurgeon more when he writes:
“Some preachers evidently do not believe that the Lord is with their gospel, because, in order to attract and save sinners, their gospel is insufficient, and they have to add to it inventions of men. Plain gospel preaching must be supplemented, — so they think. If the gospel must be a failure unless we attract the people by some extraneous method, it is a poor business. If your gospel cannot bring the people to hear you, and if, when they come, your gospel will not impress and convert them, well, then, give it up. If you are not conscious of a supernatural power and presence with the Word of the Lord, let it alone.”[1]
In the text before us Jesus emphatically says that He will build His church. As with all of God’s blessing He has given us certain means, avenues that He has ordained through which we receive and experience His blessings.
Dr. Mark Dever in his book The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, sets forth the means God has ordained to grow and prosper His church. Based on Dever’s list I have developed the follow marks.
1. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology
2. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship
3. A New Testament Church Will Preach the Word
4. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of the Gospel
5. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion
6. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
7. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
8. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline
9. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Leadership
10. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Growth
Today we will examine the first two of these, a Biblical Theology and Biblical Worship.
1A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology (Deuteronomy 5:6-10)
What we believe about God is very important.
“The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” (Spurgeon)
Eleven irrefutable facts about the God of the Bible…
1B. The God of the Bible is an All-Knowing God - Omniscient
Psalm 139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
2B. The God of the Bible is an Ever-Present God - Omnipresent
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
3B. The God of the Bible is an All Powerful God - Omnipotent
Job 42:2 "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
4B. The God of the Bible is a Never Changing God - Immutable
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
5B. The God of the Bible is a Self-Existent God - Eternal
Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
“The eternity of God has been defined, existence without beginning, without end, and without succession.” (Dagg)
6B. The God of the Bible is a Limitless God - Infinite
Job 11:7-8 "Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? 8They are higher than heaven -- what can you do? Deeper than Sheol -- what can you know?
7B. The God of the Bible is a Creating God
God created the world; He made something from nothing, made man in His image.
God created a special people in the world; He called Abraham, beginning the story of a special people.
God is the great initiator, creator, and beginner of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)
8B. The God of the Bible is a Holy God
Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.
9B. The God of the Bible is a Loving God
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
10B. The God of the Bible is a Just God
God applies righteous consequences equally to everyone
Job 34:12 Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
11B. The God of the Bible is a Sovereign God
God does whatever He wills
Psalm 135:5-6 For I know that the LORD is great, And our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.
God’s sovereignty is consistent - it will always be in harmony with His nature and attributes.
God’s sovereignty is absolute – there is nothing outside of His control.
God’s sovereignty is complete - He has determined everything that has happened or will happen, yet has done so in such a way that man is responsible for his choices.
2A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship
1B. A Philosophy for Genuine Worship
Genuine Worship Defined
Ø Worship is all about God.
“Christian worship is the active response of a community of believers to the glory of the living God which properly attributes praise and honor to God for who He is and what He has done while contributing to the growth and development of the community.” (James White)
“Worship is a celebration of God’s mighty deeds of salvation.” (Robert Webber)
Ø Worship involves both our attitudes and actions.
In short, God is both the object and subject of our worship. Worship is all about God. Therefore, His glory is to be the primary goal of our worship.
Genuine Worship Described
The foundation of genuine worship is the awareness and consideration of God's character and works.
Mechanics, forms, and styles have their place, but the substance of worship must be centered on God--the biblical God. (Tom Aschol)
2B. A Pattern for Genuine Worship (Psalm 100:1-5)
Notice how we are to worship:
Ø We are to celebrate God's presence (100:1-2)
With our music (100:1)
"Shout" = sound the trumpets!
Psalm 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Psalm 81:2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute.
With our mouths (100:2)
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Ø We are to anticipate God's blessings (100:4)
We are to come to worship with a thankful heart (100:4a)
Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
We are to continue in worship with a happy heart (100:4b)
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Notice whom we are to worship (100:3)
Ø He is the God of the Covenant "the Lord He is God" (100:3a)
He is the God who keeps His promises (Genesis 12:1-3)
He is the God who cares for His people (John 14:1-3)
Ø He is the God of Creation (100:3b)
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Ø He is the God of Compassion (100:3c)
John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 "As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
He knows us intimately (John 10:15a)
He loves us passionately (John 10 15b)
Notice why we are to worship
Ø There is an essential reason - His Goodness! (100:5a)
1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Good speaks of some thing that is of value
Ø There is an eternal reason - His Mercy! (100:5b)
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Forty One Times this phrase appears in the Bible
Ø There is an enduring reason - His Faithfulness! (100:5c)
Psalm 119:90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.
Ø Twenty times the OT reminds us that He is a Faithful God!
3B. A Plea for Genuine Worship
The worship of God is a primary function of the church.
Worship is not passive but active.
Ø Worship is the work of the people directed toward God.
Ø We gather on the Lord's Day not so much to receive, but to offer sacrifices of praise (see Hebrews 13:15-16).
Worship is primarily rooted in an event, the Christ event
Ø Worship is a response to the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Worship is primarily spiritual and symbolic.
Ø Worship is only possible in and by the Holy Spirit, who prompts our love and praise of God.
Four parts of worship
Ø We prepare to worship
Ø we hear God speak
Ø we respond to God
Ø God sends us forth
Application
To know God is to love God.
The love God is to worship God.
Do you truly love God?
Matthew 16:13-20
1A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology (Deu 5:6-10)
1B. The God of the Bible is an ________________ God – Omniscient (Psa 139:4)
2B. The God of the Bible is an ___________________ God – Omnipresent (Pro 15:3)
3B. The God of the Bible is an ________________ God – Omnipotent (Job 42:2)
4B. The God of the Bible is a _________________ God – Immutable (Heb 13:8)
5B. The God of the Bible is a _________________ God – Eternal (Psa 90:2)
6B. The God of the Bible is a _________________ God – Infinite (Job 11L7-8)
7B. The God of the Bible is a _______ God (Heb 12:2)
8B. The God of the Bible is a ______ God (Psalm 5:4)
9B. The God of the Bible is a ______ God (1 John 4:8)
10B. The God of the Bible is a ______ God (Job 34:12)
11B. The God of the Bible is a _____ God (Psa 135:5-6)
2A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship
1B. A Philosophy for Genuine Worship
Genuine Worship ______________________________
Ø Worship is all about God.
Ø Worship involves both our attitudes and actions.
Genuine Worship ______________________________
2B. A Pattern for Genuine Worship (Psalm 100:1-5)
Notice _______________________ we are to worship
Ø We are to celebrate God's presence (Psa 100:1-2; 33:2; 95:2)
Ø We are to anticipate God's blessings (Psa 100:4; 103:1-2; 106:1)
Notice _________________ we are to worship (100:3)
Ø He is the God of the Covenant "the Lord Himself is God" (Psa 100:3a)
Ø He is the God of Creation (Psa 100:3b; Col 1:16)
Ø He is the God of Compassion (Psa 100:3c; John 10:14-15))
Notice ________________________ we are to worship
Ø There is an essential reason - His Goodness! (Psa 100:5a; 1 Chr 16:34)
Good speaks of some thing that is of value
Ø There is an eternal reason - His Love! (Psa 100:5b; 106:1)
Ø There is an enduring reason - His Faithfulness! (Psa 100:5c; 119:90)
3B. A Plea for Genuine Worship
Worship is not passive but active. (Heb. 13:15-16)
Worship is primarily rooted in an event, the Christ event
Worship is primarily spiritual and symbolic.
Four parts of worship
Ø We prepare to worship; We hear God speak; We respond to God; God sends us forth
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[1] C.H. Spurgeon, The Charles H. Spurgeon Library Volume One, An All Around Ministry: Addresses to Ministers and Students. (Ages Digital Library) 250.