The Purpose The Purpose of of

The ChurchThe Church““Worship”Worship”

The Purpose The Purpose of of

The ChurchThe Church““Worship”Worship”

Jeffery Anselmihttp://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60134&Sermon%20The%20Purpose%20of%20The

%20Church-%20WOrship%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi

Purpose Driven ChurchPurpose Driven ChurchWhat drives a church?What drives a church?

Some are tradition driven Some are tradition driven Some are personality driven Some are personality driven Some are Financially drivenSome are Financially drivenSome are Program drivenSome are Program drivenSome are building drivenSome are building drivenSome are Event driven Some are Event driven Some are Seeker drivenSome are Seeker driven

What drives this church?What drives this church?

The starting point for every church should The starting point for every church should be the question, be the question,

““Why do we exist?”Why do we exist?” Until we know what our church Until we know what our church

exists for, we have exists for, we have no foundation, no foundation, no motivation, no motivation,

and and no direction for ministry. no direction for ministry.

The Church needs to The Church needs to define its purpose; define its purpose;

This must start from God’s word. This must start from God’s word. We can look at what Jesus said, and the We can look at what Jesus said, and the

examples in the New Testament.examples in the New Testament.I believe that there are four basic I believe that there are four basic questions that we have to answer questions that we have to answer

as a church. as a church.

1 Why does the Church exist?1 Why does the Church exist?2. What are we to be as a church? 2. What are we to be as a church? (Who and what are we?)(Who and what are we?)3. What are we to do as a church? 3. What are we to do as a church? (What does God want done in the world?)(What does God want done in the world?)4. How are we to do it?4. How are we to do it?

The way we answer these questions will tell The way we answer these questions will tell us how to function as a church.us how to function as a church.

If we do not answer these questions, we If we do not answer these questions, we will just stumble around with no true will just stumble around with no true

purpose of what we do.purpose of what we do.I want to use I want to use Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47 for the main text for the main text

for these next five lessonsfor these next five lessonsIn this passage, we can find the essential In this passage, we can find the essential

purposes of the church. purposes of the church.

Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 NET NET They were devoting They were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.to prayer. 4343 Reverential awe came over Reverential awe came over

everyone, and many wonders and everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the miraculous signs came about by the

apostles.apostles.

4444 All who believed were together and held All who believed were together and held everything in common, everything in common, 4545 and they began and they began selling their property and possessions and selling their property and possessions and

distributing the proceeds to everyone, distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need.as anyone had need.

4646 Every day they continued to gather Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the together by common consent in the

temple courts, breaking bread from house temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and to house, sharing their food with glad and

humble hearts, humble hearts, 4747 praising God and praising God and having the good will of all the people. And having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every the Lord was adding to their number every

day those who were being saved.day those who were being saved.

The first Purpose of the church that I want The first Purpose of the church that I want to look at is Worship.to look at is Worship.

ACT 2:42ACT 2:42 They were devoting themselves They were devoting themselves

……....to the breaking of bread to the breaking of bread and to prayerand to prayer…………

ACT 2:47ACT 2:47 praising Godpraising God ….. …..

This passage gives us some of the This passage gives us some of the elements of worship, some of the things elements of worship, some of the things

that they did.that they did.Let us look at the Let us look at the

nuts and bolts of Worship. nuts and bolts of Worship.

WHAT IS WORSHIP? WHAT IS WORSHIP? Strongs #G4352Strongs #G4352

προσκυνεω προσκυνεω proskuneo proskuneo pros-koo-neh'-o pros-koo-neh'-o

From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to (meaning to kisskiss, like a dog , like a dog lickinglicking his his

master’s hand); to master’s hand); to fawnfawn or or crouchcrouch toto, that is, , that is, (literally or figuratively) (literally or figuratively) prostrateprostrate oneself in oneself in

homage (homage (dodo reverencereverence to, to, adoreadore): - worship.): - worship.

With this definition in mind let’s notice a With this definition in mind let’s notice a woman worshiping Jesus.woman worshiping Jesus.

Luke 7:36Luke 7:36 NET Now one of the Pharisees Now one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went into the Pharisee's house so he went into the Pharisee's house

and took his place at the table. and took his place at the table. 3737 Then Then when a woman of that town, who was a when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee's house, she brought at the Pharisee's house, she brought

an alabaster jar of perfumed oil.an alabaster jar of perfumed oil.

3838 As she stood behind him at his feet, As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil. perfumed oil. 3939 Now when the Pharisee Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he himself, "If this man were a prophet, he

would know who and what kind of woman would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a this is who is touching him, that she is a

sinner."sinner."

Jesus proceeds to tell a parable of a Jesus proceeds to tell a parable of a creditor who forgave two debtors. One creditor who forgave two debtors. One

owing 500 coins owing 500 coins and the other 50 coins.and the other 50 coins.

Luke 7:44Luke 7:44 NET NET Then, turning toward the Then, turning toward the woman, he said to Simon,woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see "Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You this woman? I entered your house. You

gave me no water for my feet, but she has gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them wet my feet with her tears and wiped them

with her hair.with her hair.

4545 You gave me no kiss of greeting, but You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not from the time I entered she has not

stopped kissing my feet.stopped kissing my feet. 4646 You did not You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anoint my head with oil, but she has

anointed my feet with perfumed oil.anointed my feet with perfumed oil. 4747 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; many, are forgiven, thus she loved much;

but the one who is forgiven little loves but the one who is forgiven little loves little."little."

to kissto kiss, like a dog , like a dog lickinglicking his master’s hand); his master’s hand); to to fawnfawn or or crouchcrouch toto, that is, (literally or , that is, (literally or

figuratively) figuratively) prostrateprostrate oneself in homage oneself in homage ((dodo reverencereverence to, to, adoreadore): - worship. ): - worship.

““weeping, she began to wet his feet with weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil.” perfumed oil.” This woman fulfilled every This woman fulfilled every aspect we find in Strong’s definition of aspect we find in Strong’s definition of

Worship.Worship.

When you hear the word “Worship”,When you hear the word “Worship”,what images does it bring to mind?what images does it bring to mind?

Singing, prayer, giving, works?Singing, prayer, giving, works?There are a lot of There are a lot of

false views about what worship is. false views about what worship is. We think that it is coming toWe think that it is coming tochurch, or singing songs, church, or singing songs,

maybe sacrificing something.maybe sacrificing something.

These all may be a part These all may be a part of worship, butof worship, but

those actions miss the those actions miss the essence of what worship is. essence of what worship is.

Mark 12:28Mark 12:28 NET NET Now one of the experts in the Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating.law came and heard them debating. When When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him,asked him, "Which commandment is the "Which commandment is the

most important of all?"most important of all?"

These all may be a part These all may be a part of worship, butof worship, but

those actions miss the those actions miss the essence of what worship is. essence of what worship is.

Mark 12:28Mark 12:28 NET NET Now one of the experts in the Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating.law came and heard them debating. When When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him,asked him, "Which commandment is the "Which commandment is the

most important of all?"most important of all?"

2929 Jesus answered, Jesus answered, "The most important is: "The most important is: ''Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the

Lord is one.Lord is one. 3030 LoveLove the Lord your God the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your with all your mind, and with all your

strengthstrength.'.'

This passage catches the essence of what This passage catches the essence of what it means to worship. We can do all the it means to worship. We can do all the

right things, but if we do not do this first, right things, but if we do not do this first, then what we are doing is not worship. then what we are doing is not worship. Sunday morning is the time that people Sunday morning is the time that people

who love the Lord Jesus come together to who love the Lord Jesus come together to express that love as a group.express that love as a group.

Exodus 20:3Exodus 20:3 NET NET "You shall have no other "You shall have no other gods before me.gods before me.

True worship happens when we put God True worship happens when we put God first in our lives. first in our lives.

Romans 12:1Romans 12:1 GW GW Brothers and sisters, in view Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's of all we have just shared about God's

compassion, I encourage you to offer your compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of God and pleasing to him. This kind of

worship is appropriate for you.worship is appropriate for you.

Rick Warren in his book Rick Warren in his book ““The Purpose Driven Church” The Purpose Driven Church”

states the following: states the following: Worshiping God is the Churches 1st Worshiping God is the Churches 1st purpose- Sometimes we get so busy purpose- Sometimes we get so busy

working for God, we don’t have time to working for God, we don’t have time to express our love for Him through worship.express our love for Him through worship.

Worship is not something that we can make Worship is not something that we can make people do, it is something that is a natural people do, it is something that is a natural

outflow of a life lived for Jesus.outflow of a life lived for Jesus.Whatever is outward in worship must Whatever is outward in worship must

come as a direct result of what is inward-come as a direct result of what is inward-otherwise, it will be form without power. otherwise, it will be form without power.

Matthew 4:10Matthew 4:10 NET NET Then Jesus said to him, Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan! "Go away, Satan! For it is written: For it is written:

''You are to worship the Lord your God You are to worship the Lord your God and serveand serve onlyonly himhim.' ".' "

Notice in this passage that Notice in this passage that worshipworship comes before comes before serveserve! !

Romans 1:25Romans 1:25 NET NET They exchanged the truth of They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who the creation rather than the Creator, who

is blessed forever! Amen.is blessed forever! Amen.

Notice Notice worshipedworshiped before before servedserved. .

God wants worshipers before workers; God wants worshipers before workers; indeed the only acceptable workers are indeed the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the lost art of those who have learned the lost art of

worship. . . . The very stones would praise worship. . . . The very stones would praise him if the need arose and a thousand him if the need arose and a thousand

legions of angels would leap to do his will. legions of angels would leap to do his will. A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Matthew 15:1Matthew 15:1 NET NET Then Pharisees and Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said, Jesus and said, 22 "Why do your disciples "Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they they don't wash their hands when they

eat." eat." 33 He answered them, He answered them, "And why do "And why do you disobey the commandment of God you disobey the commandment of God

because of your tradition?because of your tradition?

44 For God said, 'For God said, 'Honor your father and Honor your father and mothermother' and '' and 'Whoever insults his father Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to deathor mother must be put to death.'.' 55 But But you say, 'If someone tells his father or you say, 'If someone tells his father or

mother, "Whatever help you would have mother, "Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,"received from me is given to God," 66 he he

does not need to honor his father.'does not need to honor his father.'

' You have nullified the word of God on ' You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition.account of your tradition. 77 Hypocrites! Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you Isaiah prophesied correctly about you

when he said,when he said, 88 ''This people honors me This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far with their lips, but their heart is far from me,from me, 99 and they worship me in and they worship me in vain, vain, teaching as doctrines the teaching as doctrines the

commandments of men.commandments of men. ' "' "

Worship happens when we surrender Worship happens when we surrender ourselves to God. When Jesus is worth ourselves to God. When Jesus is worth enough to us to be put first in our lives, enough to us to be put first in our lives,

then we will be able to come together and then we will be able to come together and praise Him together. Our lives will be a praise Him together. Our lives will be a

fragrant aroma to God. fragrant aroma to God.

Isaiah 6:1Isaiah 6:1 NET NET In the year of King Uzziah's In the year of King Uzziah's death, I saw the sovereign master seated death, I saw the sovereign master seated on a high, elevated throne. The hem of his on a high, elevated throne. The hem of his

robe filled the temple. robe filled the temple. 22 Seraphs stood Seraphs stood over him; each one had six wings. With over him; each one had six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two wings they covered their faces, with

two they covered their feet, and they used two they covered their feet, and they used the remaining two to fly.the remaining two to fly.

33 They called out to one another, "Holy, They called out to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord who commands holy, holy is the Lord who commands armies! His majestic splendor fills the armies! His majestic splendor fills the

entire earth!" entire earth!" 44 The sound of their voices The sound of their voices shook the door frames, and the temple shook the door frames, and the temple was filled with smoke.was filled with smoke. 55 I said, "Too bad I said, "Too bad for me! I am destroyed, for my lips are for me! I am destroyed, for my lips are contaminated by sin, and I live among contaminated by sin, and I live among people whose lips are contaminated by people whose lips are contaminated by

sin. sin.

My eyes have seen the king, the LORD who My eyes have seen the king, the LORD who commands armies."commands armies." 66 But then one of the But then one of the seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was

a hot coal he had taken from the altar with a hot coal he had taken from the altar with tongs. tongs. 77 He touched my mouth with it and He touched my mouth with it and

said, "Look, this coal has touched your said, "Look, this coal has touched your lips. lips.

Your evil is removed; your sin is forgiven." Your evil is removed; your sin is forgiven." 88 I heard the voice of the sovereign master I heard the voice of the sovereign master

say, "Whom will I send? say, "Whom will I send? Who will go on our behalf?" Who will go on our behalf?"

I answered, I answered, "Here I am, send me!""Here I am, send me!"

Recognize who God is Recognize who God is and who we are, and who we are,

then serve.then serve.

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF WORSHIP? WORSHIP?

The objective of our worship The objective of our worship is to magnify God.is to magnify God.

This is why worship cannot happen in a life This is why worship cannot happen in a life that is not surrendered to God. that is not surrendered to God.

We magnify either God We magnify either God or ourselves by the or ourselves by the

way we live our lives.way we live our lives.Psalms 34:3Psalms 34:3 NET NET

Magnify the LORD with me! Magnify the LORD with me! Let's praise his name together!Let's praise his name together!

The things that we do in a “worship” service The things that we do in a “worship” service are intended to magnify God. The music, are intended to magnify God. The music, communion, prayer, preaching. Jesus told communion, prayer, preaching. Jesus told

us that when we partake, we are to us that when we partake, we are to remember Him. The actions that come remember Him. The actions that come from one who has not surrendered their from one who has not surrendered their

lives to Jesus are not worship. lives to Jesus are not worship.

Matthew 6:1Matthew 6:1 NET NET "Be careful not to display "Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward people. Otherwise you have no reward

with your Father in heaven.with your Father in heaven.Pharisee’s wanted people to see them.Pharisee’s wanted people to see them.We want to bring glory, honor, and praise We want to bring glory, honor, and praise

to our to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORSHIP? WORSHIP?

This is the question that we always ask, This is the question that we always ask, “what is in it for me?”“what is in it for me?”

One benefit is that the church grows One benefit is that the church grows stronger through worship. stronger through worship.

The focus is on God instead of us. The focus is on God instead of us. We are looking to further We are looking to further

God’s agenda and not God’s agenda and not our own personal one.our own personal one.

Worship gives us power to live on. Worship gives us power to live on.

When the T.V.A. system created Watauga When the T.V.A. system created Watauga Lake in 1948, it buried the old community Lake in 1948, it buried the old community of Butler, Tennessee. In 1983, the water of Butler, Tennessee. In 1983, the water

had to be lowered to repair the dam. had to be lowered to repair the dam. Thousands of people waded through the Thousands of people waded through the

mud to see where their homes once stood mud to see where their homes once stood and to relive memories of the past. and to relive memories of the past.

Worship lets us relive memories of the pastWorship lets us relive memories of the past—not only our own personal past, but the —not only our own personal past, but the

collective past of all the believers who collective past of all the believers who have gone before us. But worship is more have gone before us. But worship is more

than sentiment or nostalgia. Worship than sentiment or nostalgia. Worship looks to the future to inspire us to better looks to the future to inspire us to better

deeds and better lives.deeds and better lives. Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows, Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows,

(Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company,)(Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company,)

We will experience personal growth.We will experience personal growth.Calvin Coolidge said, Calvin Coolidge said,

““It is only when men begin to worship that It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow.”they begin to grow.”

We will experience fulfillment. We will experience fulfillment.Worship is the highest and noblest act Worship is the highest and noblest act

that any person can do. that any person can do. When men worship, When men worship,

God is satisfied! God is satisfied!

And when you worship, you are fulfilled! And when you worship, you are fulfilled! Think about this: why did Jesus Christ Think about this: why did Jesus Christ

come? He came to make worshipers out come? He came to make worshipers out of rebels. We who were once self-of rebels. We who were once self-

centered have to be completely changed centered have to be completely changed so that we can shift our attention outside so that we can shift our attention outside of ourselves and become able to worship of ourselves and become able to worship

him.him. (Raymond C. Ortlund) (Raymond C. Ortlund)

In worship we will be stimulated. In worship we will be stimulated.

Have you really thought Have you really thought about why we are here? about why we are here?

Have you really given any thought to the Have you really given any thought to the purpose of the church?purpose of the church?

One of the purposes of the church One of the purposes of the church is to worship.is to worship.

Worship will not happen unless we have Worship will not happen unless we have placed Jesus first in our livesplaced Jesus first in our lives

Worship is the outflow of a life that is lived Worship is the outflow of a life that is lived for Jesus! for Jesus!

Are you here today to worship?Are you here today to worship?Does your worship seem empty to you? Does your worship seem empty to you?

Are you looking for more?Are you looking for more?Many times it is not that we need to find Many times it is not that we need to find something new to excite us, but we need something new to excite us, but we need

to surrender ourselves to Jesus.to surrender ourselves to Jesus.If you find that you cannot worship, If you find that you cannot worship,

maybe you need to surrender more of maybe you need to surrender more of yourself to Jesus.yourself to Jesus.

Today we give you that opportunity.Today we give you that opportunity.