Effective
Discipleship (4)
Main outline by Mac. Rearranged by M. Allen
FILING INFORMATION:
2000048
Subject: discipleship; attitude; worship
Preached
Originally: 08/20/00 – Rapid City, SD
Introduction:
A.
Been talking
about effective discipleship over the last 3 Sundays.
1. Talked about how we can see our Christians lives “flat line” over the years if not careful.
2.
Talked about the
need to get our Christian lives S T A R T ed in the right direction.
3.
Last week we
talked about the need to let the Spirit fill our lives through the word and
what the results of a spirit filled life are.
B. Today we wish to conclude the series on effective discipleship by discussing the worship service.
1.
Remember –
talked about trend in COC’s with persons coming away from worship saying I
don’t get anything out of it.
2.
Some tolerate
preaching; don’t understand importance of LS; don’t participate in public
prayer; sing songs; give as prospered.
3.
Mvmt to turn
worship of church into something more relevant for the younger
generations coming up.
C. Jhn. 4:19-24 – upon understanding Jesus a prophet – woman of Samaria asked Jesus a question about “where” to worship. 4:19-21
1. Jesus said the “where” of worship not as important as the “how” to worship. See 4:23-24
2. Note especially: worship in Spirit/truth.
3. Members of the church often known for stressing this verse. Rightly so.
D. To help us become better & more effective disciples – we need to better understand “how” to worship.
1. This important in an increasingly secular/casual society.
2. Hope today’s lesson & this series is beneficial to you.
I. Worship Defined.
A. Gk. Word for worship in 4:24 from “Proskuneo”.
1. Main word among 5 verbs and 3 nouns translated worship.
2. Vines: “to do reverence to. And act of homage or reverence; to adore.
B. We show reverence by doing what God directs.
1. Note Heb writer in Heb. 12:28-29. Here’s why we need to be reverent!
2. Reverence defined as: “a feeling of profound awe & respect.” It involves recognition of God’s majesty & holiness. What we’re doing here today is NOT to be taken lightly. Serious in nature.
3. We must be willing to revere God in our worship – by worshipping Him in spirit/truth.
4. Remainder of today’s lesson – we’ll seek to answer how we worship in truth and in spirit.
II. How do we worship in truth?
A. Don’t confuse truth with desire.
1. Jhn. 18:38 – Pilate questions Jesus – “what is truth?”
a) Some today might be tempted to ask the same thing: what truth to you may/may not be truth to me – etc. etc.
b)
Idea: sincerity/desire all that counts. Not so.
2.
Jn. 4:24 – worship in truth. How is truth determined in Scripture?
a)
17:17 – the word of God is truth.
b)
Conclusion: to worship God in truth is to worship by God’s word!
B. True worship is not the same as:
1. Worshipping according to our own wants (selfish desires.) Col. 2:23.
a) Can’t add to/change God’s prescribed plan.
b) Adding unlawful/unscriptural things that have absolutely no business in house of God.
c)
No matter how sincere – end doesn’t
justify the means!
2. Worshipping according to our own desires – Mt. 15:8-9
a) Catechisms; disciplines; manuals have no authority to dictate HOW we worship God.
b)
To dictate how to worship – is seeking
to satisfy man’s desires over that of God’s.
c)
All must seek to guard against this.
C. Ancient worshippers confirm this! 1 Cor. 10:6
1. Abel still speaks today about “how” to worship God in truth. See Heb. 11:4; Gen. 4:6-8 (Literally…. God received his gifts)
a)
Acceptable worship is worship according
to God’s directions!
b) How can I know God’s direction – Rom. 10:17 – through His word!
2. Nadab and Abihu still speak – Lev. 10:1-2.
a)
Bottom line: principle established here: worship not commanded is not acceptable!
b) Many would do well to read/understand this principle!
D. What is involved in True Worship? Acts 2:42
1. Note here: they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching.
a) The word of God was preached, taught; read; discussed.
b) Acts 20:7, 20, 31-32
2. Breaking of Bread – Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29
3. Prayer – 1 Thess. 5:17; Heb. 13:15; Js. 1:6-8
4. Fellowship – what would this infer? Don’t we have fellowship w/each other in worship? How?
a) Through our partnership; communion; sharing together; communication w/each other in worship.
b) This done through our singing – Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16
c) Also don’t through our giving – 2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2
5. No evidence in Scripture that simple NT worship was ever done away with;
a) Changed
b) Altered
c) Had something substituted for God’s plan?
6. This how we can worship God in “truth”. Jhn. 4:24
III. How do we worship in Spirit? Jn. 4:24
A. Note the principle established in Ex. 19:10-11
1. With sanctification. Heb Wd here means to “consecrate; dedicate; hallow; keep holy.”
2. Realize the holiness of God; need to dedicate hours of worship to Him. This is His time! For His glory!
a) Not here just to socialize! Have fun! Be entertained!
b) Tired of people looking at worship as “what can I get out of it?” “What’s in it for me?” “Why do I have to go to church all the time?”
c) Which brings us to next point.
B. Heb. 12:28-29 – with gratitude, reverence, and awe!
1. Thankful that sinful man has avenue to God to worship!
a) Thankful that we have way to salvation!
b) Approach Him in awe of his awesome power!
2. Attitude = everything when it comes to worship.
C. 1 Cor. 11:29-30 – with judgment/discernment.
1. Must understand what we are doing/why we are doing what we are doing.
2. If not – danger of judgment.
3. Let us seek to approach our worship seriously! Humbly!
D. These are 3 ways by which we can worship God in Spirit!
Conclusion:
A. Back to Heb. 12:28-29
1. How shall we approach such an awesome/consuming fire?
2. Answer: one step at a time!
3. Through learning how to be an effective disciple. By refusing to flat line/plateau.
4. By continually working/encouraging/loving our brethren!
5. Through bible study.
B. Have you started to be an effective disciple? Have you approached God for salvation?
C. I N V I T A T I O N