The
elements of worship are:
elements of worship are:
Praise
Christians spend a lot of time in praise, in song.
Indeed, the Scripture frequently commands to “praise the Lord.” We do this in
song, for it is in song that we praise Him with all our heart, soul, mind and
strength. So our praise to God, in those few minutes, takes every bit of who
and what we are.
Indeed, the Scripture frequently commands to “praise the Lord.” We do this in
song, for it is in song that we praise Him with all our heart, soul, mind and
strength. So our praise to God, in those few minutes, takes every bit of who
and what we are.
This is as it should be. We have a personal
relationship with Jesus; any personal relationship starts with knowing who the
other person is. If you know him, you know he is worthy of our praise. It’s a
natural human reaction to give praise where it is due (think about cheering at
a ball game). We praise God for two things: his character and his actions.
relationship with Jesus; any personal relationship starts with knowing who the
other person is. If you know him, you know he is worthy of our praise. It’s a
natural human reaction to give praise where it is due (think about cheering at
a ball game). We praise God for two things: his character and his actions.
We should carry this over into our daily lives.
Those around you should hear from you on this subject. There are things God has
done for you; tell others about it. You rely on his character; tell others why.
Praise should not be limited to Sunday morning.
Those around you should hear from you on this subject. There are things God has
done for you; tell others about it. You rely on his character; tell others why.
Praise should not be limited to Sunday morning.
Scripture Reading
In older churches you may still see two pulpits.
One was used for preaching; the other for Scripture reading. This practice is
very ancient; the Jews were told read the Law aloud. They did so with great
ceremony.
One was used for preaching; the other for Scripture reading. This practice is
very ancient; the Jews were told read the Law aloud. They did so with great
ceremony.
When we read the Scripture in church, we are
portraying the Bible reading we should be doing during the week. As it is done
every week, so you should read every day. It is done with respect; you should
read the Bible with respect. Indeed, the ancients were commanded to post it on
the walls!
portraying the Bible reading we should be doing during the week. As it is done
every week, so you should read every day. It is done with respect; you should
read the Bible with respect. Indeed, the ancients were commanded to post it on
the walls!
If you will do this, God promises great reward.
First, you will be convicted of your sins (which means you can then get rid of
them). You will be equipped as a Christian ought to be. But take warning: don’t
be just a reader, but be a doer.
First, you will be convicted of your sins (which means you can then get rid of
them). You will be equipped as a Christian ought to be. But take warning: don’t
be just a reader, but be a doer.
Tithing
Tithing—the giving of a tenth—is ancient; it goes
back to the time of Abraham, at least. The ancient Jew understood the principle
quite well: the tithe belongs to God, so you might just as well give it to him.
Otherwise, he’ll come get it. You wind up with no blessing and parting with the
tenth anyway. Indeed, God warns us that to fail to tithe is to rob God! Why
does God want us to tithe?
back to the time of Abraham, at least. The ancient Jew understood the principle
quite well: the tithe belongs to God, so you might just as well give it to him.
Otherwise, he’ll come get it. You wind up with no blessing and parting with the
tenth anyway. Indeed, God warns us that to fail to tithe is to rob God! Why
does God want us to tithe?
Simple enough: we tend to put our mouth where our
money is. He wants your mouth proclaiming him. Tithing involves three things:
money is. He wants your mouth proclaiming him. Tithing involves three things:
·
It’s a recognition that God has blessed you. You
don’t tithe what you don’t have.
It’s a recognition that God has blessed you. You
don’t tithe what you don’t have.
·
It also is a symbol of sound stewardship—if you
can’t part with the tenth, you aren’t managing your money very well.
It also is a symbol of sound stewardship—if you
can’t part with the tenth, you aren’t managing your money very well.
·
Tithing is a recognition of the sacred. God
commands it; you obey in a way which is most clear.
Tithing is a recognition of the sacred. God
commands it; you obey in a way which is most clear.
Prayer
Prayer is a subject on which volumes have been
written. But public prayer—prayer from the pulpit—tells the world something
about us.
written. But public prayer—prayer from the pulpit—tells the world something
about us.
·
Public prayer is a form of praise.
Public prayer is a form of praise.
·
Public prayer tells the world that we are depending
not on our weakness but God’s strength.
Public prayer tells the world that we are depending
not on our weakness but God’s strength.
·
Public prayer acknowledges our sins, and asks
forgiveness.
Public prayer acknowledges our sins, and asks
forgiveness.
·
Public prayer commonly is used to pray for others.
Public prayer commonly is used to pray for others.
Communion
Of all worship elements, this is the most sacred.
It is in this ritual that we proclaim the death of Christ as the atonement for
our sins. The Scriptures tell us of the exceeding importance of Communion.
Communion is also the ritual which gives us the most guidance during the week:
It is in this ritual that we proclaim the death of Christ as the atonement for
our sins. The Scriptures tell us of the exceeding importance of Communion.
Communion is also the ritual which gives us the most guidance during the week:
·
Self-examination. We are to
examine ourselves before taking Communion. We should do this during the week as
well, recognizing that all of us are sinners. We should then confess our sins
and repent.
Self-examination. We are to
examine ourselves before taking Communion. We should do this during the week as
well, recognizing that all of us are sinners. We should then confess our sins
and repent.
·
One body. Just as Christ had one body here
on earth, the church is one body. By eating Communion together, we proclaim our
unity. We also recall that Christ washed the feet of his disciples on the night
of the Last Supper; we should serve in like humility. Indeed, as we are one
body on Sunday, so we should be during the week. Therefore we proclaim our
willingness to help our brothers and sister in Christ.
One body. Just as Christ had one body here
on earth, the church is one body. By eating Communion together, we proclaim our
unity. We also recall that Christ washed the feet of his disciples on the night
of the Last Supper; we should serve in like humility. Indeed, as we are one
body on Sunday, so we should be during the week. Therefore we proclaim our
willingness to help our brothers and sister in Christ.
·
Hope of the resurrection. The Bible
tells us to do this “until He comes.” By taking communion we proclaim not only
the death, burial and resurrection but also our hope of his return.
Hope of the resurrection. The Bible
tells us to do this “until He comes.” By taking communion we proclaim not only
the death, burial and resurrection but also our hope of his return.
·
Forgiveness. The reason for repentance is to
receive forgiveness based upon Christ’s atonement. Forgiveness is “one person’s
willingness to bear the consequences of another person’s sin.” As we ask for
forgiveness during Communion, we should forgive during the week. Christ forgave
us unconditionally; we should do likewise. In this we bring about reconciliation
and the unity of the church.
Forgiveness. The reason for repentance is to
receive forgiveness based upon Christ’s atonement. Forgiveness is “one person’s
willingness to bear the consequences of another person’s sin.” As we ask for
forgiveness during Communion, we should forgive during the week. Christ forgave
us unconditionally; we should do likewise. In this we bring about reconciliation
and the unity of the church.
·
Proclamation. Most profoundly, in Communion we
proclaim the central truth of the faith: that Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of
God, died for our sins on the Cross; was buried, raised by the power of God. He
is returning to judge the living and the dead. We need to live like it day by
day.
Proclamation. Most profoundly, in Communion we
proclaim the central truth of the faith: that Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of
God, died for our sins on the Cross; was buried, raised by the power of God. He
is returning to judge the living and the dead. We need to live like it day by
day.
