Lesson 4 - Emory church of Christ

“WORSHIP”
LESSON 4
INTRODUCTION:
	A.	Worship means to “do reverence;” prostrate toward; or to make obeisance toward.
	B.	Worship is action, not attitude. It is the case, though, that our attitude must always be right for worship to be right. (I Corinthians 14:15).
	C.	Worship is not all action. It is a condition of mind, expressed through certain outward activities.
		1.	Sing — — Ephesians 5:19
		2.	Pray — — Acts 2:42
		3.	Teach — — Ephesians 4:11-16
		4.	Communion — — Acts 20:7
		5.	Contribution — — I Corinthians 16:1-2
	D.	The worship services are to be attended by every Christian who is physically able to be present. Hebrews 10:25.

DISCUSSION:

I.	THREE FORMS OF FALSE WORSHIP
	A.	Vain worship (Matthew 15:8-9).
		1.	This worship is that which is empty.
		2.	It has no purpose and is void of spiritual substance.
		3.	Of course, this is not acceptable.
	B.	Will worship (Colossians 2:20-23).
		1.	This is worship directed by the will of men.
		2.	It is under man’s direction.
		3.	In reality, men are worshiping to the direction of other men. Man guiding man!
	C.	Ignorant worship (Acts 17:23).
		1.	Ignorant worship is rendered without understanding.
		2.	This worship, though honest and well-intended, is still not acceptable.

II.	FOUR ASPECTS OF TRUE WORSHIP
	A.	The OBJECT of true worship is God (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 22:8-9).
		1.	Failure to recognize God in His true character and to render proper homage to Him, plunged the world into moral and spiritual degradation and idolatry (Romans 1:18-32).
		2.	If we are not very careful, the same will occur today!
		3.	The nature of God (Acts 17:22-31).
	B.	The CHARACTER of true worship. (PROPER SPIRIT).
		1.	Spiritual worship can only exist when a spiritual relationship exists between the worshipper and God (I Peter 2:5, 9-10; Hebrews 13: 15-16).
		2.	All Christians are priests.
		3.	In Christ there is no difference (Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 2:28-29).
	C.	The STANDARD of true worship. (TRUTH)
		1.	The Word of God is the truth (John 16:13; 17:17). Therefore, all worship that is in the truth must be measured by God’s standard (Colossians 3:17).
		2.	Under the first covenant all things were cleansed and sanctified by animal blood (Hebrews 9:1-23). Under the second, we are cleansed by the blood of Christ.
		3.	From where does worship come? TEACHINGS OF CHRIST
			1)	Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18-20).
			2)	There are five avenues of true worship through which praise and devotion can be offered to God:
				a. LORD’S SUPPER
				b. PRAYER
				c. GIVING
				d. SINGING
				e. PREACHING AND TEACHING THE WORD
	D.	The PLACE of worship.
		1.	The place designated by Jesus. “NEITHER IN THIS MOUNTAIN, NOR YET AT JERUSALEM, WORSHIP THE FATHER” (John 4:20-21).
		2.	The church of the first century met in various places; in homes, the temple, and other places.
		3.	Wherever the local congregation designates as the meeting place, we MUST be there (Hebrews 10:25). Keep in mind the complete congregation is required to come together (I Corinthians 14:23-26).
		4.	Any time we are in these avenues of praise and worship, it must be done in the proper spirit and in truth. This is true whether it is done individually or collectively.

III.	THE DISPOSITION OF THE WORSHIPPER
	A.	He must be cleansed by the blood of Jesus to offer acceptable worship (Hebrews 9:12).
	B.	He must approach God with reverence and Godly fear (Hebrews 12:28-29).
	C.	He must have a heart of thanksgiving, joy, and gladness (Hebrews 13:15-16; Psalms 118:23).

IV.	CONCLUSION
	A.	Worship has been designed and revealed by God’s word.
	B.	The worship of the New Testament glorifies God because the true worshipper bends his will to the will of God.
	C.	True worship brings blessings to the worshipper for he is responding in his spirit to the truth of God.


QUESTIONS FROM LESSON FOUR

		1.	Define worship?
		2.	What are the acts of worship?
		3.	What must be the attitude of the heart?
		4.	What are the aspects of true worship?
		5.	What must be the standard and guide for proper worship?
		6.	Can one properly worship God if he chooses not to assemble with the saints?
		7.	Must one be a Christian in order to worship God?
			1)	Why?
			2)	Is all worship accepted?
			3)	What would not be acceptable?

Emory church of Christ

Growing in the Grace of the Lord

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