God's Divine Order For Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

INTRODUCTION

• The early Church walked in Pentecostal power. Church services were powerful and what we call today “Spirit-filled or Full Gospel”. They featured spiritual worship, anointed preaching, teaching, and the supernatural gifts of Holy Spirit.

• Sometimes people wonder why we worship the way do. Here are some Biblical explanations.

• When a congregation gathers for worship services (“comes together”) there are certain things, outlined in the Bible, that should take place.

• A psalm, a doctrine, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.

• “For the strengthening and edification of the church”. Let’s talk about it!

I. A PSALM [KJV]... a HYMN [NIV]

• The American Heritage Dictionary defines a hymn as: “A song of praise or thanksgiving to God.”

• Vine’s dictionary of Greek words says that a psalm is “A sacred song, sung to musical accompaniment.”

A. Spirit-filled worship is songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

1. Ephesians 5:18-20 ...be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Spirit-filled people worship God in “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”.

1. Spirit-filled people gather to “sing and make music in their hearts to the Lord.”

• What’s in their heart will be reflected in their life. (Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (sings).

• This is why Gospel music is so important. When we listen to or sing secular music we are being entertained. When we listen to or sing spiritual music we are worshipping.

2. All music originated from heaven.

• Not all music is Godly. Some has been desecrated. (Example: All humanity was created for God’s pleasure and His glory but sin desecrated the human race establishing the need for a Redeemer)

3. The Big Question: SHOULD A CHRISTIAN LISTEN TO SECULAR MUSIC?

• Some would say no. I ask you… Where is your Biblical defense?

• My Answer: There are some secular songs that are not bad. We need to be discerning. Here are two Scriptures to help us.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

C. Holy-Spirit-prompted (prophetic) worship, sung from our hearts, strengthens and edifies the church.

II. “A DOCTRINE [KJV], a WORD of INSTRUCTION [NIV]”

A. There are different purposes for Preaching and Teaching.

1. We Preach to the lost and Instruct the faithful.

• Preach to the lost with power and conviction, demonstrating the power of the Spirit with signs, wonders and miracles, so that they may be saved.

• Instruct the faithful consistently, with simplicity and understanding, teaching the whole counsel of God, being prepared to give a defense for the faith in which we stand.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

B. Acts 13:1 “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers…”

1. Those who carry a prophetic gift should function in, and flow out of, a local church.

• Prophets are bold, Therefore they need consistent instruction and oversight.

• Prophets can Pastor but they need to understand the difference in the anointing and how these two gifts function. (a Pastor needs to be merciful)

2. If a prophet feels God calling them to Pastor they should submit their prophetic gift under the anointing to Pastor.

C. Holy Spirit is our Teacher.

1. 1 Corinthians 2:13 NIV - This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

2. 2 Timothy 2:7 NIV - “Reflect on what I am saying [Paul was saying God’s Word], for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”

D. Holy Spirit Teaching is INSTRUCTIVE and should fall into one or more of these four categories.