Serving God in the Assembly of the People (2)

Introduction:

A lot of opinions of what a worship service should look like.

Hundreds of denominations that have styles and opinions of what a worship service should look like.

Even within the AG different churches with different styles.

We are accustomed to doing things by habit.

What does a worship service at RAG look like?

What do you think a worship service should look like?

What is the main purpose of a worship service?

Why do you think that?

Who is the primary audience in the worship service?

Should evangelism be a PRIMARY component of the worship service?

How could an “evangelism centric” service impact the worship service? (ie. Seeker Sensitive; discouraging the use of public demonstrations of Spiritual gifts)

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 ESV

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

What is the benefit of a believer-focused service?

What is our responsibility in insuring that a believer’s service is in order?

Meeting God when the church gathers

Who is the worship service for?

1 Corinthians 14:22–25 NLT

22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. 23 Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. 24 But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. 25 As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

Look at History Book

1 Corinthians 14:26–40 ESV

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. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 5. The Practical Outcome (14:26–33)

This little paragraph is very important as giving us the most intimate glimpse we have of the early church at worship. It is not complete and, for example, it does not say whether passages of Scripture were read or not. But it is our earliest account of a service and it enables us to see something of what the first Christians actually did when they assembled to worship God. Clearly their services were more spontaneous and less structured than was normally the case in later days. We have no way of knowing how typical of the whole church worship at Corinth was, but it cannot have been very far from the norm, else Paul would have said so.

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 5. The Practical Outcome (14:26–33)

But singing was common among the early Christians (cf. v. 15; Matt. 26:30; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16),

Matthew 26:30 ESV

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Ephesians 5:19 ESV

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Colossians 3:16 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 5. The Practical Outcome (14:26–33)

A word of instruction (didachē) is a piece of Christian teaching.

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 5. The Practical Outcome (14:26–33)

revelation

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 5. The Practical Outcome (14:26–33)

interpretation will be the interpretation of a tongue

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 5. The Practical Outcome (14:26–33)

But the guiding rule is ‘Let all things be done for edification’ (NASB), as Paul has been insisting.

The church as the temple of the Holy Spirit

Edification and the Gathering of the Church

Acts 2:42 NLT

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary f. Peter Preaches the Gospel (2:14–42)

teaching

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary f. Peter Preaches the Gospel (2:14–42)

fellowship

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary f. Peter Preaches the Gospel (2:14–42)

more likely that here it refers to the holding of a common meal or to a common religious experience

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary f. Peter Preaches the Gospel (2:14–42)

the breaking of bread

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary f. Peter Preaches the Gospel (2:14–42)

This is Luke’s term for what Paul calls the Lord’s Supper

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary f. Peter Preaches the Gospel (2:14–42)

prayers.

Vertical edification

Horizontal edification

The Lord’s Supper at Corinth

Worship in church and in the world