A Theology Of Worship

The Theology of Worship

(John 4:19-26)

Theme: Worship involves a continuum of intimacy which must recognize that not all forums are an appropriate place to express all levels of intimacy with God.

Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon?

A. Increased knowledge. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able to define and describe the two basic types of worship encountered in the Bible:

1. Proskuneo/Shachah:

a. Definition: to bow down, to kiss toward.

b. Description: something that one purposefully does, it is time and place specific.

2. Latreuo/Abhadh:

a. Definition: the carrying out of religious duties.

b. Description: practically any human activity can be offered to God as something that is to honor and serve Him.

B. Increased insight. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able to differentiate between:

1. Highly intimate worship which is to be offered in a private setting.

2. Moderately intimate worship/service/ministry which is to be offered in a more exclusive private setting.

3. Mutual edification which seems to be the main thrust of the purpose of the Christian Assembly as revealed in the New Testament.

C. Changed attitude. After I preach this sermon, I want the hearer to determine to develop their relationship with God in all three areas mentioned and not merely confine it to the public assembly on Sunday. Introduction. (Get attention, surface need, make a contract to deliver a solution.)

A. God seeks those who will offer Him intimate, personal worship - true worshipers.

B. However, we must be sure that we fully understand the context in which God wants us to offer such intimate, personal worship to Him.

I. Christian Assemblies.

A. Non-First Day of the Week Assemblies.

1. The passages:

Acts 2:42-46 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. 46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 5:41-42 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. 42 And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.

2. The Purpose:

a. Bible study (the apostles? teaching - oral, written?)

b. Fellowship/communal living.

c. Eating.

d. Prayers.

e. Meeting needs - mutual ministry.

f. Apparently - received instruction (preaching and teaching) from the apostles who came to each house on occasion.

B. First Day of the Week Assemblies.

1. The passages:

Acts 20:1-7 And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. 3 And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days. 7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. 3 And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem: 4 and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.

2. The Purpose:

a. Take the Lord?s Supper.

b. Give.

C. General Principle.

Hebrews 10:19-25 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a great priest over the house of God; 22 let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised: 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.