TITLE: The Churches Priority: Worship
Text: Acts 2:42; John 4
Theme: Worship
P.S. As we seek to fulfill this purpose then our priorates will become clearer and less self serving.
Introduction:
Illustration: In any construction project there is usually a question of priorities, which determines the eventual outcome. Responding to the increasing destructiveness of high winds in the Midwest, one developer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offered an optional tornado-safe room in the new homes he was selling. Nine of the first ten buyers opted to pay the extra $2,500 for the room——which can also be used as a closet, bathroom, or vault when not needed for safety. According to the developer, the 10th couple was 75 years old and opted for a hot tub instead.
A question of priorities finds itself into the debate regarding possible reconstruction of the WTC complex. Certain factions consider ““ground zero”” to be sacred ground, which should honour the memory those 2850 people, who lost their lives. Others have a different viewpoint. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., says the federal government should do "whatever is necessary" to help rebuild the World Trade Center to ““show the world we are not afraid -- we are defiant.”” Making reconstruction of New York City’’s 110-story twin towers a federal project ““underscores our nation’’s purpose”” and is a ““matter of honour,”” says Kerry
From Dr.Lukes account of the infant churches activities and involvements, we can catch a glimpse of their priorities. There were four that we find recorded in Acts 2:42,...”The believers devoted themselves to the
• Apostles doctrine
• The fellowship
• Breaking of bread
• Prayer
To keep things simple to remember, someone has developed this easy to remember acronym: WIFE!!!
• Worship
• Instruction
• Fellowship
• Expression
As we read verse 42, we see all four priorities emerge. In verses 43-47, these priorities are practically applied to their every day lives and ministry. These priorities are still relevant today and comprise the ministry of the church. Last week we learned that our main purpose was the glorify God. As we seek to fulfill this purpose then our priorates will become clearer and less self serving.
In today’s message I want to focus on the churches priority of worship.
They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.(NLT)
If you were able to take a trip in a time machine, and travel to the first century, I wonder what the early church would have looked like.? We do not have any recorded worship service or agenda. Nor were any instructions given by the apostles as to how a worship service should be conducted. However, the new Testament provides us with clues as to what a first century church worship service might have looked like:
1. First, The early church by and large met on the first day of the week, Sunday. 1 Cor.16:2
2. The early believers met together and worshipped in individual homes. Acts 2:42, Romans 16:5
3. Local gatherings were relatively small in number, with 12-20 on average in each meeting house. Acts 19:7
4. Each church was lead by a pastor/elder and deacons who gave oversight to the spiritual and material needs of the members.- Acts 6; 1 Tim.2
5. There was no set order of service, but on any given meeting you could expect the following:
• They would share a common meal together. 1 Cor.11
• There would be singing or reciting of Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Eph.5:19; Col.3:16
• A teaching elder would teach the word. Acts 5:42; 19
• prayer was paramount!!!! Acts 4:31
• The exercise of spiritual gifts was a normal occurrence. Especially tongues and prophecy. Acts 13:1; 1 Cor.12-14
• Breaking of bread and communion was held every time the believers met together. Acts 2:46; 1 Cor.11
• Giving of tithes and offerings. Acts 5; 2 Cor.8
There is no recorded agenda or order of service. I believe the Holy Spirit deliberately kept this a secret because He did not want the successive generations to feel in bondage to form. As we endeavour to seek Gods will in worship, there are 4 convictions we need to hold on too as priorities in worship.
1. Firstly, There is no ‘correct style of worship. The statement the woman at the well made to Jesus has been an issue the church has debated for 2,000 years, “Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but the Jews say Jerusalem is the place where the Father is to be worshipped” The interpretation of her statement is simply, “Jesus where is the right place to worship and what is the proper form.?”
It is not the form of worship the Lord is seeking, it is the heart!
Jesus reply was firm and simple. “An hour is coming, and now is come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”
There is nothing that blesses the Fathers heart more than when His children worship Him in sincerity and truth. The Father still seeks our worship. He still awaits the praise of His people. He still longs to inhabit the our houses of worship.
Every church likes to believe its worship style is the most biblical. The truth is, there isn’t a biblical style of worship. Listen to what Rick Warren says about style, “ Your preferred style of worship says more about your cultural background than your theology.”
Whether it is with an organ and choir singing scared hymns, or an electronic band playing with synthesizers and drums, the priority is to be that true believers are giving glory and honour to Jesus!
What is the answer? The answer I believe is BALANCE! Regardless of style, true worship employs both the right and left side of the brain. It engages both emotion and intellect, your heart and your mind (Warren) . We must, Jesus said, worship in spirit and truth.
2. True biblical Worship will be expressed passionately: When Luke writes, “They were continually devoting themselves” he uses a Greek word that means a steadfast, single-minded fidelity. When the early church met, their services were characterized by “intensity, full-hearted devotion, and passionate commitment.”(Swindaoll) Their worship was not expressed by rote or memorization. Each person willingly and passionately participated. They got with it. There were no side-line worshippers in the church.
3. There is a breath-taking awareness of Gods presence :
Verse 42 mentions their breaking bread together. Immediately following this, we read that, “everyone kept feeling a sense of awe.” Literally, the Greek says, “And there came to everyone, fear.” There came a breath-taking awareness of God’s holy presence. A healthy respect and fear of God pervaded.
Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline writes the following: ““To worship is to experience Reality, to touch Life. It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. It is breaking into the glory of God, or better yet, being invaded by the glory of God.””
Are you invaded by the glory of God when you worship, or are you invaded by the ho-hum of humanity? Do you view worship as a time to unite yourself with God, or just another religious duty that you need to check off your list for the week?
Does this mean that God desires our worship services to be morose and sombre? No Way!!! We read in this same text that there was gladness, sincerity of heart and praise which resulted in favour with all the people.(V.47). The scene is one of spontaneous joy and unrestrained responses of praise.
4. Worship is a powerful witness to unbelievers if Gods presence is felt and if the message is understood: Acts 2:6
In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, Gods presence was so evident in the disciples worship service that it attracted the attention of the crowd gathering in the temple. Why were so many attracted? Why were 3,000 people converted to Christ? Because they felt God’s presence and they understood the message. God’s presence must be felt in our services. Chuck Swindol makes a heart rendering, observation about typical worship in the N/American church. He writes,
In many churches there are programs and activities...but so little worship. There are songs and anthems and musicals, but little worship. There are announcements and readings and prayer but so little worship. The meetings are regular, but dull and predicable. The events are held on time, led by well meaning people, supported by folks who are faithful and dedicated. But that tip toe expectancy and awe inspiring delight mixed with a mysterious sense of fear of Almighty God are missing.”
Gods presence must be felt in our services. More people are won to Christ by feeling Gods presence than by all our sermons combined. It is the sense of Gods presence that melts hearts and explodes mental barriers. Rick Warren is correct when he says that,
In genuine worship Gods presence is felt, Gods pardon is offered, Gods purposes are revealed and Gods power is displayed.
Some would argue, “it is the preaching of the word that saves people.” The word of God and the gospel are the power of God unto salvation. But if the Spirit of the Lord is not present to make the word real, then our words will be empty and void of power.
Worship will always lead into the presence of God which in turn will result in a call to evangelism and mission.(Isaiah 6:1-8)
Conclusion:
Let me close this message by telling you a story. Have you ever eaten at an expensive restaurant for a special occasion? There you are, all dressed up, with three different forks, fine china and crystal. You are very careful to not embarrass yourself by spilling anything, or doing anything
inappropriate.
Now compare that to eating a meal at home. There you are in comfortable clothes, you definitely only have one fork and maybe a knife! If you are like my family there is no fine china or crystal. If you drop something on the floor, you wait to see if the dog will eat it. Obviously, you are relaxed and comfortable.
You see, God didn’’t design worship to be an expensive meal at a fancy restaurant. He designed worship to be a family meal, a time to come together in a comfortable setting, with your brothers and sisters.
Does it really matter whether you raise your hands or clap with the song? No one is going to look at you any differently because of it. Our focus cannot be on pleasing people with our worship; our focus must be on pleasing God.
