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.
1. The purpose of our assembling:
a. 24 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works (ASV).
b. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (NIV).
c. 25 exhorting one another (ASV).
d. 25 encourage one another (NIV).
2. The command to assemble:
a. Don?t forsake our own assembling together (ASV).
b. Let us not give up meeting together (NIV).
3. To which assembly does this apply?
a. So much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.
b. What Day?
(1) Sunday (Hugo McCord, et al.)
(2) The Destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) - many ?older? scholars/commentators.
(3) The Final Judgment - many modern scholars/commentators.
D. Conclusions:
1. The Christians of the first century assembled themselves often.
a. Daily, from house to house.
b. On Sundays as a family.
2. We should follow this example.
II. Christian Worship.
A. The Biblical Words Translated as ?Worship? - Verbs.
1. Proskuneo. proskun??.
a. To kiss toward.
b. The Hebrew equivalent is shachah: to bow down.
c. 64 Occurrences in the NT:
(1) 24 are in the Book of Revelation.
(2) 37 in the gospels.
(3) That leaves 3.
(4) Only 1 is in the context of the Christian Assembly!
1 Corinthians 14:25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
2. Latreuo. latreu,w.
a. To serve or to minister, or to officiate.
b. The Hebrew equivalent is Abhadh: to work, labor or serve.
c. 25 Occurrences in the NT: NONE is in the context of the Christian Assembly!
B. The type of worship and the type of worshiper sought by the Father (John 4:19-26).
4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped [proseku,nhsan\ - #1] in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. [proskunei/n - #2] 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship [proskunh,sete - #3] the Father. 22 Ye worship [proskunei/te - #4] that which ye know not: we worship [proskunou/men - #5] that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers [proskunhtai. - #6] shall worship [proskunh,sousin - #7] the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. [proskunou/ntaj - #8] 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship [proskunou/ntaj - #9] him must worship [proskunei/n - #10] in spirit and truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
1. According to this text:
a. The Samaritans associated this type of worship with ?this mountain? (i.e., a specific location).
(1) The Samaritans had built a ?rival? temple structure on Mt. Gerizim.
(2) They claimed it was a legitimate place of worship.
(3) The Jews flatly rejected this.
(4) They said that Jerusalem was the only legitimate place a true temple to Yahweh could be located.
b. Jesus teaches ideal:
(1) This type worship is not limited to a specific location.
(2) It can occur anywhere and, presumably, at any time.
c. This type of worship and this type of worshiper is actively sought by the Father - He has gone to great lengths to make it possible.
(1) John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave...
(2) John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him...
(3) John 15:16 Ye did not choose me, but I chose you...
(4) 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us...
d. This type of worship (i.e. kissing toward or kissing the hand of) is the response of our grateful hearts to the overtures of God.
(1) Psalm 105:1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known among the peoples his doings. 2 Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvelous works. 3 Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah. 4 Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
(2) Psalm 106:1 Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth forever.
(3) Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
2. What can we say for certain?
a. God seeks people who will respond to Him in proskuneo worship - a humble, grateful outpouring of intimate devotion in response to His nature and to His redemptive work on the cross.
b. God has gone to great lengths (extreme lengths, drastic measures, unbelievable sacrifice) to redeem mankind in the hope that some will respond to Him in proskuneo worship.
3. But, what relationship does intimate worship (i.e. proskuneo) have to the New Testament Assembly?
a. As Christians, what assumptions have we made?
(1) That everything we do is proskuneo worship. Proof texts: Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:17.
(2) That the purpose of the assembly of the entire church on the Lord?s Day is to create an environment in which each individual Christian can offer God the Father proskuneo worship.
C. Some things to consider before we embrace our assumptions as absolute truth.
1. Not everything we do is proskuneo.
a. There are clearly other types of worship, service, ministry and sacrifice to God which are more service oriented than praise oriented - more horizontal than vertical.
b. There is no direct teaching or example that clearly teaches or demonstrates that the purpose of the New Testament Assembly is to offer proskuneo worship.
2. There is are defining or limiting principles which we must take into consideration in offering worship to God.
a. One key principle is found in Matthew 6:1-21.
(1) The Principle Stated, 6:1. Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
(2) The Principle Illustrated, 6:2-21.
(a) In Giving, 6:2-4. Sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men...
(b) In Prayer, 6:5-13. Ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men...
(c) In Forgiveness, 6:14-15.
(d) In Fasting, 6:16-18. Be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast...
(3) The Principle Summarized, 6:19-21. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
(4) Conclusion: It seems to me that the more intimate the worship to God is, the more He desires that it be:
(a) Expressed in a sincere manner.
(b) Expressed in a private rather than in a public context:
i) Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 that thine alms may be in secret...
ii) Enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret...
iii) Anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret...
b. Another is found in the principles surrounding the Lord?s Supper: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
(1) Division in the church, 11:17-22.
17 But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper: 21 for in your eating each one taketh before (other) his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.
(2) Division Destroys the Spirit of the Supper, 11:23-26.
(3) Consequences of Improperly Taking the Supper, 11:27-32.
(a) It Kills the Lord Again, 11:27.
(b) It Brings Judgment Upon Self, 11:28-29.
(c) It Causes Spiritual Weakness and Death, 11:30.
(d) It Brings Judgment and Chastening from the Lord, 11:31-32.
(4) Paul?s Instructions for Properly Taking the Supper, 11:33-34.
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, wait one for another. 34 If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.
(5) Conclusions.
(a) They were divided one against the other - this precluded any proper worship being offered to God.
(b) The assembly, particularly the Lord?s Supper, is not about meeting my personal needs! Eat at home!
c. Another is found in the principles surrounding the use of spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 14:2-40.
(1) Speaking in Tongues is Purely a Vertical Activity, 14:1-2.
14 :1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual (gifts), but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
(2) Prophecy is Horizontal and Edifies the Brethren ; Therefore, Prophecy is Preferable to Speaking in Tongues, 14:3-5.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
(3) Tongues Explained More Fully, 14:6-21.
(a) Again, it is a Purely Vertical Activity, 14:6.
(b) And, Without an Interpretation it is of No Value, 14:7-11.
(c) The Purpose for Exercising Spiritual Gifts Must be to Edify, 14:12.
(d) The Goal is Fruitful Understanding for Everyone Present, 14:13-18.
(e) So Seek the Goal, 14:20-21.
(f) Paul?s Principles Regarding Orderly Public Worship, 14:26-40.
i) All Activity Must be for Edifying, 14:26-28.
26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speaketh in a tongue, (let it be) by two, or at the most three, and (that) in turn; and let one interpret: 28 but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
ii) All Activity Must be Done in Order, 14:29-33a.
iii) All Activity Must be Performed by the Men, 14:33b-35.
iv) All Activity Must be Performed by Humble Men, 14:36-38.
v) All Activity must be Performed in an Orderly and Fitting Manner, 14:39-40.
d. Something to think about!
(1) 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture.
(a) Love is Active in its Demonstration, 13:1-3.
(b) Love is Selfless in its Behavior, 13:4-7.
(c) Love is Permanent in its Nature, 13:8-12.
(2) These principles can be (and have been) applied to many, many, many contexts of life.
(3) But, to what primary context has the Holy Spirit, through Paul, applied these principles? The Christian Assembly!
Conclusion. (The purpose of the conclusion is to conclude, not merely to stop.)
A. God seeks men who will kiss toward Him - He is a devoted and passionate lover of men.
B. Our most effective means of accomplishing our task is to convince our disciples of His worthiness to receive unashamed, intimate, sincere devotion from His creation.
C. However, we must be very cautious and remember that:
1. He seeks genuine intimacy, not flowery showmanship.
2. Given our fallen nature and our tendency toward self-exaltation, the public assembly:
a. Is not about individuals - it is about the Body, the Family, the Church of God.
b. Is apparently not an ideal arena for teaching our disciples how to express private, personal intimacy with God.
c. It is, rather, a forum in which to teach our disciples how to serve, edify and strengthen the body of Christ.
D. An Offered Synthesis of these Principles:
1. Our relationship with God involves a continuum of intimacy:
a. Extremely personal - in private.
b. Mutual ministry, confession, intimate intercessory prayer - in smaller groups.
c. Mutual edification, participation in giving glory to God, remembrance of who God made us in Jesus Christ - in the assembly.
(1) Partaking of the Lord?s Supper together - the New Testament emphasis is on the horizontal nature of what this represents.
(2) Singing - is to one another as well as to God.
(3) Preaching, teaching, exercise of our spiritual gifts - is for the edification of the entire body of Christ, not for our self-glorification or exaltation.
2. If our entire relationship with God is defined by what we do at the corporate assembly then our relationship with God will be improperly balanced.
a. Exclusively personal physical needs - eat at home!
b. Exclusively personal spiritual needs - seek ministry from within a smaller group of believers.
c. Exclusively personal talents that do not edify the body - exercise them in private!
