WORSHIP GOD!

COURSE PLAN

I- Worship BEFORE Creation

II- Worship AFTER humanity joined it1. In the Old Testament time2. What did change after Jesus first coming?3. In the early church gatherings

III- Worship in the future season

Hebrews 1:6

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, He says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

Revelation 14:7

He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.“

WORSHIP IN HEAVEN

There was a time when worship was perfect, immaculate, and spotless throughout the universe.

Worship during Creation

• 4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

• 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

• 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone- 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 28:4-7)

Perfect Heavenly Harmony

There was perfect harmony of music, singing and playing of instruments as the angels sang together and shouted with joy.

Time of Joy

• That was a time of joy and expectation about the creation of the world and of the human being.

• Angels shouted for joy at every act of God’s creation.

• That was the way to participate in God’s creation.

Worship before Creation• Worship before the creation of Humanity was based

on God’s glory, holiness, mighty power and sovereignty

• There was no need for sacrifice, because man had not been created and had not sinned yet

The highest heaven where God lives

coexists with the earth

The Heaven of Heavens Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens

belong to the Lord your God, the earth also, with all that is in it and on it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)

But will God indeed dwell with men on the

earth? Behold, the heavens and heaven of heavens cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built? (1 Kings 8:27)

The Highest Heaven

• But who is able to build Him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain Him? Who am I to build Him a house, except as a place to burn incense in worship before Him? (2 Chronicles 2:6)

• Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the heavens! (Ps. 148:4)

The Highest heaven

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:6)

The Height of Heaven

• Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! (Job 22:12)

The Third Heaven

• I know about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when it happened, but God certainly knows. (2 Corinthians 12:2)

Heaven Open

54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:54-56)

Open Heaven

• 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.“ (Mat. 3:16-17)

Open Heavens

• 1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1)

Worship Set Up in Heaven “ You were the seal of perfection,

Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. (Ezekiel 28:12-14)

Ez. 28: Amplified Bible• 12You are the full measure and pattern of exactness [giving

the finishing touch to all that constitutes completeness], full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

• 13You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the carnelian, topaz, jasper, chrysolite, beryl, onyx, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; and your settings and your sockets and engravings were wrought in gold. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14You were the anointed cherub that covers with overshadowing [wings], and I set you so. You were upon the holy mountain of God; you walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire [like the paved work of gleaming sapphire stone upon which the God of Israel walked on Mount Sinai].

Ez. 28: Amplified Bible• 15You were blameless in your ways from the day you

were created until iniquity and guilt were found in you. • 16Through the abundance of your commerce you were

filled with lawlessness and violence, and you sinned; therefore I cast you out as a profane thing from the mountain of God and the guardian cherub drove you out from the midst of the stones of fire.

• 17Your heart was proud and lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground.

The worship in the highest heaven before creation of humanity

• Lucifer was the worship leader meaning that worship was an important activity in the highest heaven; it was an organized activity; there were choirs of angels and there was a worship leader.

• He was created for that purpose: to organize the worship to God in the holy mountain of God

• He was anointed by God for that ministry

Wisdom for Worship

• God shared with him from His own wisdom to do the task he was supposed to do; this wisdom certainly included all the music tones and key notes; harmony; sounds; instruments playing; and everything else that was part of a worship that pleased God.

• God implanted in him the wisdom to please God in worship to exalt His Name above every Name;

• The Father had to share from His own heart and intimacy with him so that he could play the right cords and sing the right songs

Instruments & Garments

• Instruments and equipments engraved in gold were created for him alone in the day he was created

• He was a perfect creation of God for that end• He dressed up with jewels and stones• He walked in the midst of the fiery stones (he had

communion with the Holy Spirit)• He was the anointed cherub that covers with

overshadowing [wings],

Established Ministry

• He was established by God as such in the Holy Mountain of God

• He walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire [like the paved work of gleaming sapphire stone upon which the God of Israel walked on Mount Sinai)

• He was so beautiful and perfect that he became proud and his wisdom was corrupted because of his splendor and he was expelled from the highest heavens

2nd CLASS

WHO WAS PART OF IT?

• Angels: archangels, cherubim, and seraphim worshipped God together in unison under the leadership of lucifer, the “star of the morning”

• He was the covering cherub who was created to be worship leader of the universe.

• Millions and millions of angels worshipped God in heaven.

Lucifer (Day Star) 12 “ How you are fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:

‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

The Congregation of God

• He was called “the son of the morning”• God’s throne is on the north of the highest

heavens over a mountain called the “holy mountain of God”

• The congregation of God met there for council meetings and lucifer had free access to that area of the highest heaven

Lucifer FIVE WILLS

• His mistake: he didn’t say I WILL IF YOU WILL• He didn’t involve his creator because he had

ambitions to equal and eclipse his creator• God’s answer: YOU WILL NOT; YOU WILL BE

THRUST DOWN;

Angel of light

• And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

2 Cor. 11:14

Now in the Highest Heaven• Satan has been removed from the highest heaven

where God dwells.• But he has not yet been removed from the heavens

below the highest realm, the heavenly places.• It is from there that he opposes God and His people.

He established his little throne on that region, where he receives the worship from those who worship idols and images out of their ignorance

• He does not lead worship in heaven anymore, instead, he tries to block our worship to God, and tries to get as much worship as he can from where he can get some.

Now in the Highest Heaven• When the children of God worship GOD, the

worship has to go through the heavenly realms where satan lives.

• He has to hear it, he hates it, and he cannot do anything about it. It is the most annoying thing to him.

• He cannot do anything about the worship of the angels going on in the highest heaven.

• He tries to come against the worship coming from earth from those saved by Jesus Christ.

Now in the Highest Heaven

In the highest heaven where the Throne of God is, worship is still spotless and perfect.

Glimpses of Heavenly Worship• The Scriptures provide glimpses of heavenly worship.

There are reports of it in Isaiah 6, and Revelations 4, 5 and 11.

• It was upon this heavenly worship that the worship of God on earth was patterned. Exodus 25 through 27 provides detailed information about the nature of temple worship, including the physical structure of the temple and its dimensions, instructions for the Ark to be built, the internal decoration of the Tabernacle, details of the priests' vestments, the use of incense, the presence of an altar, the daily offerings, the use of anointing oil, and the use of images.

Isaiah 6• 1IN THE year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord

sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. 2Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew. 3And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! 4And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! Then flew one of the seraphim [heavenly beings] to me, having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with tongs from off the altar;

Isaiah’s Vision

• There is a temple and a high throne where God is seated and lifted up

• He has a train that fills part of the Temple• The seraphim above Him cry out to each other

that GOD IS HOLY; they exalt His holiness and His glory that fills all the earth.

• The foundations of the thresholds shook as they worshipped God and the house was filled with smoke.

• Isaiah saw God as a King and as the Lord of Hosts

Revelation 4• 1AFTER THIS I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!

And the first voice which I had heard addressing me like [the calling of] a war trumpet said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future. 2At once I came under the [Holy] Spirit's power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne! 3And He Who sat there appeared like [the crystalline brightness of] jasper and [the fiery] sardius, and encircling the throne there was a halo that looked like [a rainbow of] emerald. 4Twenty-four other thrones surrounded the throne, and seated on these thrones were twenty-four elders (the members of the heavenly Sanhedrin), arrayed in white clothing, with crowns of gold upon their heads. 5Out from the throne came flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne seven blazing torches burned, which are the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit];

Revelation 4• 6And in front of the throne there was also what looked like a

transparent glassy sea, as if of crystal. And around the throne, in the center at each side of the throne, were four living creatures (beings) who were full of eyes in front and behind [with intelligence as to what is before and at the rear of them].

• 7The first living creature (being) was like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature [was] like a flying eagle.

• 8And the four living creatures, individually having six wings, were full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come.

•

Revelation 4• 9And whenever the living creatures offer glory and honor

and thanksgiving to Him Who sits on the throne, Who lives forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities),

• 10The twenty-four elders the members of the heavenly Sanhedrin) fall prostrate before Him Who is sitting on the throne, and they worship Him Who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, crying out,

• 11Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created.

Revelation 5

• 8And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each was holding a harp, and they had golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people (the saints).

• 9And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 5• 10And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and

priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!

• 11Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels on every side of the throne and of the living creatures and the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin], and they numbered ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands,

• 12Saying in a loud voice, deserving is the Lamb, Who was sacrificed, to receive all the power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and majesty (glory, splendor) and blessing!

Revelation 11• 15The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there

were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

Revelation 11

18The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth." 19Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

THE SOUNDS OF HEAVEN• How are they?• What did the prophets and apostles hear?• Moses heard thunders• Jacob heard angels singing• David heard songs and harp playing• Miriam heard tambourines and dancing• Joshua heard trumpets

THE SOUNDS OF HEAVEN• Apostles heard trumpets, harps, lightning,

flashes, wind, thunder, incense, earthquake sound, loud voices, many angels shouting, crying out, kneeling and falling prostrated before the Lord

• The major themes of their worship to God in heaven are: His holiness, His might power, His glory, His Sovereignty

HEAVENLY WORSHIP

• SOUNDS OF HEAVEN PRODUCED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE RECOGNIZED IN HEAVEN AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS REVEALED WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

• SOUNDS OF HEAVEN RELEASE REALMS OF THE GLORY OF GOD INTO THE EARTH.

Implications for Worship • What does the knowledge of the worship in

pre-creation heaven reveal to us about GOD?• And about the way we should worship Him?

WORSHIP GOD3RD CLASS

II- Worship AFTER humanity joined it

–1. What did change in the Old Testament time?–2. What did change after Jesus first

coming?–3. How was it in the early church

gatherings?

GOD’S COMMANDMENT

"You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall

serve." -- Matthew 4:10

WORSHIP GOD ONLY

• God gave that command to Israel so that they could be aware that satan was in the heavenly places doing all he could to intercept and to receive the adoration given to God.

• The object of worship of humanity is the biggest deal for satan. If he can make humanity to worship him instead of God, he feels he would have got some kind of victory.

WORSHIP IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

• After the Fall there was a shift in the way worship is accepted by God.

• Since then, there have been some elements that are part of WORSHIP.

• According to the Old Testament there is no worship without them.

SACRIFICE

• After the Fall, the element of SACRIFICE was introduced.

• There is no worship acceptable to God that does not offer a sacrifice.

• In order for a person to be accepted before God and receive His favor there was the need to sacrifice an animal and have its blood offered on the altar.

The First Sacrifice

“21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (Gen.3:21-22)

GOD offered the First Sacrifice

“21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

• God had to kill an animal to get his skin to be able cover Adam and Eve.

• That covering was not only physical for their bodies, but also, spiritual. It required a sacrifice pointing to the need of the sacrifice of Christ in the future.

The First Sacrifice

• The First sacrifice opened the door for fellowship with God again, which had been interrupted because of sin.

• That is how the Lord opened the gates for fellowship and worship with humanity.

ABEL offered a pleasing sacrifice to God and was accepted

“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” (Genesis 4:2-5)

Worship

Offering a sacrifice that burns the flesh and that sheds blood was necessary to express the faith in the needed sacrifice of Christ to redeem people from their sins, so that they could come before God.

ALTAR

“Did not Hezekiah himself remove this god's high places and altars, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, 'You must worship before one altar and burn sacrifices on it'?” (2 Chronicles 32”12)

All sacrifices were supposed to be offered on an altar. The altar brought the value of holiness and fear of the Lord into the sacrifice. Is also kept the memory of what the Lord had done for people.

ALTAR BUILDING

• Abraham was a converted moon-worshiper who became the first great worshiper of God since Noah.

• He had a worship lifestyle.• There was something unique about the way

he worshipped God.

Genesis 12:7-8

“7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.”

Genesis 13:18

“18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.”

THERE HE BUILT AN ALTAR

• Wherever Abraham went he built and altar to the Lord.

• He was constantly building altars to the Lord.• God was constantly meeting with him on

those altars and confirming His promises and provisions to him.

ALTAR= MIZBEACH

• The word described a structure that had only one function or reason for existence: the slaughter of sacrifices.

• Anyone who would build an altar knew that something had to be offered on it, and it had to be a life that would bleed.

Building altars by faith

• Abraham had very little control over his life and circumstances.

• He had a promise and he knew how to build altars to the living God.

• That was all he had…and that was enough.• He wandered living in tents and building altars

trusting in the living God.

4th Class

WORSHIP GOD

BRING AN OFFERING

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (1 Chronicles 16:29)

Bring an offering was the second element associated to worship in the Old Testament.

WORSHIP IN THE TABERNACLE

Exodus 25:17 begins the command of God regarding the making of the Ark of the Covenant. It includes the command to make two cherubim of gold, between which God said that He would "meet with thee and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim".

Exodus 25:17-22• 17And you shall make a mercy seat (a covering) of pure

gold, two cubits and a half long and a cubit and a half wide.

• 18And you shall make two cherubim (winged angelic figures) of [solid] hammered gold on the two ends of the mercy seat.

• 19Make one cherub on each end, making the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat, on the two ends of it.

• 20And the cherubim shall spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, facing each other and looking down toward the mercy seat.

Exodus 25:17-22• 21You shall put the mercy seat on the top of

the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony [the Ten Commandments] that I will give you.

• 22There I will meet with you and, from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are upon the ark of the Testimony, I will speak intimately with you of all which I will give you in commandment to the Israelites.

Exodus 25

The mercy seat, or Ark of the Covenant, was understood as "the empty throne where nothing was to be seen; on this throne God was present — the sole object of worship in Israel... God spoke from between the cherubim — invisibly present on His throne — to Moses, Aaron, Samuel ... to His people. Here the blood of atonement had to be sprinkled each year."

WORSHIP IN THE OLD TESTAMENT In the Old Testament, God created a way to

receive worship from human beings based on:– The mercy seat: God’s mercy– The Testimony: the 10 Commandments (the

agreement to obey God and follow His commandments)

– The sprinkling of the blood (pointing to the future perfect sacrifice of Christ)

Worship According to the Heavenly Pattern

• According to the Bible there is worship in Heaven, and it is to be our pattern.

• Worship had been revealed to them by God. Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of all that God had promised in the Old Testament;

• In Him all the hopes of Israel were fulfilled. It was only natural that in worshiping God through Jesus Christ, believers would continue to do so as they had been told, in the manner God revealed to them.

What was new?• The Tabernacle brought a new dimension to

worship.• To the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) worship

required building an altar and offering a living sacrifice to God. He would then come for release His favor to them wherever they built the altar.

• In the Tabernacle God seats at mercy seat and stays there waiting for men to come and have an encounter with Him__ a merciful encounter. There is an order: man come to God, offer an sacrifice, and receive His favor and mercy.

Worship in the Tabernacle meant

MEETING WITH GOD

Worship in the Temple David according to David

1When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. 2 He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. 3 The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand are to supervise the work of the temple of the LORD and six thousand are to be officials and judges. 5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the LORD with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose." 1 Chronicles 23:1-5

Worship in the Temple according to David

• David had 4.000 full time Levites singing in the temple to worship

• 288 main singers• perhaps around more 4000 singers• A total of approximately 10000 • He understood how the worship was in heaven• He saw the pattern the model of the temple in heaven• They experienced something amazing closer to

heaven worship: we will experience something even better and superior.

David understood God is extravagantGod is extravagantly to be praised:• Worship was around the clock: 24 X 7• All revivals in the OT were with many full time

musicians • All Israel gave the tithes for the temple workers,

priests, gatekeepers, and singers to have their portions. (Neh. 13:4,5)

Extravagant Temple Ministry

• 4 Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah, 5 and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.

David understood God is extravagant• Cities need full time worshippers worshipping night

and day as their lifestyle- not hired people only• In the Temple worship all people understood the

responsibility to support the ministry of worship and all the Temple workers.

What can we learn from Abraham?• We cannot control our circumstances at all

times• But any time we choose, we can build an altar

for the Lord through your praises and you can worship your all-powerful God by offering your life on the altar of submission.

What can we learn from David?• Let’s place our lives and all that we have on

His altar and ministry• Let’s create a kingdom of worship for Him• Let’s make Him the absolute God of our lives

and the absolute object of our worship• Let’s worship Him extravagantly • Let’s meet with Him every time we worship

Him

Problems in Worship

“The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (Is. 29:13)

Problems in Worship

1. People honored God only with their mouths and not with their hearts

2. Offered worship made up only of rules taught by men

WORSHIP GOD!

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WORSHIP GOD

THE NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP The NT also had an extravagant understanding of

worship in the temple and in the city and in the nation, and in a deeper way than the people of the Old testament.

THE CHANGE BROUGHT BY JESUS 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the

true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

THEIR WORSHIP WAS IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

• A. THE TIME HAD COME FOR A NEW KIND OF WORSHIP

• 1. As Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman at the well - Jn 4: 23-24

• 2. In which people are to worship the Father "in spirit and truth"

• 3. In which those who seek to worship Him "must worship in spirit and truth"

B. WORSHIPPING GOD 'IN SPIRIT'...

• 1. Some understand this to mean "to do so with sincerity, from the heart“

• a. But this does not fit in with the idea that Jesus is making a contrast between OT and NT worship - cf. Jn 4:19-24

• b. And sincerity was required under the OT – Deut. 6:4-7; Isa 1: 10-18

SPIRITUAL WORSHIP

• 2. To worship in spirit means to offer 'spiritual worship‘

• a. I.e., in contrast to worship that is physical or fleshly

• b. This contrast is in harmony with the context 1) Jesus began by saying "God is Spirit"

2) Therefore the worship of Him is to be 'spiritual', that is, in keeping with His nature

The contrast between OT and NT

worship

OT Worship Summary

• 1) Heb. 9:1-10 teaches that OT worship consisted of fleshly ordinances;

• a) A physical structure (tabernacle) • b) Special clothing for priests • c) Lampstands • d) Burning of incense • e) Instruments of music• f) Animal sacrifices -- All of which appealed to

the physical senses

NT Worship

• 2) But NT worship is focused toward the spiritual side of man:

• a) God's temple is spiritual, made up of Christians - 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22

• b) All Christians are priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices - 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:15

• c) Our prayers are as sweet incense – Rev. 5:8 • d) Our music is making melody with the heart –

Eph. 5:19

OT= TEMPORARY ORDINANCES• 3) Physical ordinances of the OT were to last until a "time

of reformation" – Heb. 9:9-10 (which has occurred with the coming of the New Covenant)

“It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.”

NT= TIME OF REFORMATION

To "worship in spirit", then, is to offer up spiritual worship as taught in the NT and not the physical worship as found in the OT.

With Jesus coming there was a REFORMATION that affected worship. From then on, worship comes from inside out, from the inner man (the spirit). It has nothing more to do with external things and facts.

WORSHIP GOD!

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WORSHIP GOD

C. WORSHIPPING GOD IN TRUTH

1. Some understand this to worship according to the commands of God

• a. Certainly we should do this • b. But again, this is no contrast to what God

expected in the OT - cf. Deut. 5:32-33 • c. Jesus admitted that the Jews had been right

in their worship - Jn 4:22 -- So the contrast is not between true and false worship

The contrast is between that which is true and the shadow

2. The contrast is between that which is true (or real), and that which had been a shadow (or type) pointing toward the true!

• a. Many elements of OT worship were simply a 'shadow' of what was to come – 1) The Tabernacle was a symbol or type – Heb. 9:8-9– 2) The Law with its worship was only a 'shadow' of

that which was to come – Heb. 10:1

The contrast is between that which is true and the shadow

• b. Christ is now in the true tabernacle (heaven)- Heb. 9:11-12,24 – 1) Therefore we should expect the worship of the true to

be different from that of the shadow – 2) And we have already seen that to be the case:• a) The OT worship, which was but a shadow, was physical in

nature• b) But NT worship, which God now expects of "true

worshipers", is according to the true realities (God is Spirit, Christ in heaven) and is therefore spiritual in nature

To Worship in Truth

To "worship in truth", then, is to offer up the true, spiritual worship as taught in the NT, and not the physical worship in the OT which was but a shadow.

Worship in the Early Church

The nature of worship in the early church

1. THEIR WORSHIP WAS FOR EDIFICATION

• A. WORSHIP WAS CERTAINLY DIRECTED TO GOD

• 1. As we will see later, they sang 'hymns' - cf. Eph. 5:19

• 2. The definition of 'hymn' is a song of praise to God -- As God's creatures, especially those created in His image and redeemed by His Son, the Creator is the primary focus of any worship service –Rev. 4:9-11

1. THEIR WORSHIP WAS FOR EDIFICATION

• B. WORSHIP WAS ALSO TO BUILD UP EACH OTHER• 1. As Paul instructed the church in Corinth - 1 Cor.

14:26 – a. All things were to be done "for edification" – b. That is, for the purpose of "building up"

• 2. Note that in regards to singing– a. They were "speaking to one another..." as well as to

the Lord – Eph. 5:19 – b. They were "teaching and admonishing one another"

– 1 Cor. 3:16

THEIR WORSHIP WAS FOR EDIFICATION

• 3. Note the true source of their edification:– a. Not the music or melody of the songs themselves – b. But the words of the songs which taught and admonished

them – c. For spiritual worship is designed to impact the spiritual

side of man, not his fleshly side -- Worship in the church should therefore edify or build up those engaged in it, not by what may sound good to the ears (the flesh), but by words that impact the heart of man (the spirit)

– Sadly, it is easy for us to be more interested in the melody and beat of a song, than the actual words! But those seeking true edification will be careful to note the difference.

2. THEIR WORSHIP WAS DONE IN THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. THE CHURCH IN CORINTH HAD A PROBLEM1. At a time in which Christians enjoyed the gifts,

especially the gift of tongues, some in Corinth were misusing them – a. All gifts were to be used in view of edification and

evangelism – B. Tongues were designed to be a sign for unbelievers-

1 Co 14:22 – c. They were speaking without interpreters - 1 Co

14:23

THEIR WORSHIP WAS DONE IN THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

2. Therefore Paul commanded them to do things decently and in order

• a. They were to speak one at a time, and no more than three - 1 Co 14:27

• b. If there were no interpreter, they were to remain silent - 1 Co 14:28

• C. Thus they were to do things in the order of the Holy Spirit, because He was in charge of the gift" - 1 Co 14:40

THEIR WORSHIP WAS IN THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

3. Worship that is 'in order' is that which• a. Follows "a fixed arrangement“ by the Holy

Spirit and those leading the worship (not totally spontaneous )- 1 Cor. 14:27

• b. Contributes to peace, not confusion - cf. 1 Cor. 14:33

CONCLUSION

• 1. When we consider the elements of worship in our next lesson

• a. We will see how they are consistent with the nature of worship

• b. That what the worship of the early church was indeed done: – 1) In spirit and truth – 2) For the purpose of edification– 3) In the order of the Holy Spirit

CONCLUSION

• 2. Remember, not all worship is acceptable to God. Worship based upon:– a. The doctrines of men is vain worship - Mt 15:7-

9 – b. A lack of understanding of God's nature is

ignorant worship - Ac 17:22-23 – c. What we think is best is will worship (self-

imposed religion), and of no true value in overcoming the flesh – 1 Cor. 2:20-23

CONCLUSION

• Let those who seek to be a part of "The Church Jesus Built" listen closely to the Master:

• "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn 4:23-24)

Questions to consider:

• Are we "true worshipers" of the Father?

Questions to consider:

• As a church are we worshipping the Lord in a way that pleases

Him and that edifies one another?

WORSHIP GOD!

7th Class

WORSHIP GOD

The Elements Of Worship In The Church

INTRODUCTION

1. In seeking to better understand "The Church Jesus Built", we are looking at the worship of the church as revealed in the New Testament

2. The preceding lesson made the following observations about the nature of worship in the early church

a. Their worship was in spirit and truth - Jn 4:23-24 b. Their worship was for edification - 1 Co 14:26 c. Their worship was to be done decently and in order - 1

Co 14:40

3. In determining what was meant to worship God in spirit and truth, I suggested that. a. It involved worship in keeping with God's nature (God is

Spirit, our worship is to be spiritual) b. It would be different from the "fleshly ordinances" of the Old

Testament which were a shadow of that which is true (or real) 4. This lesson will identify the elements of worship as

described in the NT... a. the activities in which the early church engaged in their

worship b. With some observations about their "spiritual" nature in

contrast to OT worship

I. ACTIVITIES IN THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH • A. THEY OBSERVED THE LORD'S SUPPER 1. As commanded by the Lord and His apostles

a. A memorial feast instituted by Jesus Himself - Lk 22:14-20b. Taught to the churches by the apostles - 1 Co 11:23-29 c. In this memorial they remembered:

a. The sinless body offered on the cross b. The blood shed to provide forgiveness for their sins d. In this memorial

they proclaimed their faith in the efficacy of the Lord's death

2. On the first day of the week d. As described in Ac 20:7 e. One can infer from this passage that they were doing this every

week f. Other passages certainly indicate they were assembling

regularly on the first day of the week - 1 Co 16:1-2

B. THEY GAVE TO MEET CERTAIN NEEDS

1. The church was noted for its love for one another a. As exemplified in the church at Jerusalem - cf. Ac 2:44,45;

4:32-35b. Such love went beyond those in the local congregation -

Ac 11:27-30 2. A weekly collection was instituted

c. To provide for the needs of the saints - 1 Co 16:1-2 d. Principles were taught to determine how much one should

give 1) "As he may prosper" - 1 Co 16:2 2) Whatever is given with "a willing mind" - 2 Co 8:12

3) "According to what one has" - 2 Co 8:12-13

4) "As he purposes (plans) in his heart" - 2 Co 9:7 5) Whatever one can give "cheerfully", not

"grudgingly" or "of necessity" - 2 Co 9:7 6) Keeping in mind the principle of "sowing and

reaping" - 2 Co 9:6,8 7) Funds so collected were used to help needy

Christians, including those who devoted their lives to preaching the gospel - cf. 2 Co 11:8,9; Ph 4:10-18

C. THEY LISTENED TO THE WORD

• 1. They were noted for their attention to the Word – a. The church in Jerusalem "continued steadfastly in

the apostles' doctrine..." - Ac 2:42– b. As ambassadors of Christ, the apostles' words were

taken very seriously - cf. 1 Co 14:37; 1 Th 2:13 • 2. They therefore used their assemblies to hear

God's Word – a. As when Paul spoke at Troas - Ac 20:7 – b. Or when letters from the apostles had been

received - cf. Co 4:16

Worship in the Early Church

• The elements of worship in the early church were indeed spiritual in its focus.

• The nature of worship in the church

D. THEY OFFERED PRAYERS AND SONGS

• 1. Prayers were offered in their assemblies – a. As indicated in 1 Co 14:15-17 – b. Especially in times of trouble - cf. Ac 12:5,12

• 2. Songs were sung when they were together – a. Using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to speak to

one another - Ep 5:19 – b. Using the same to teach and admonish one another -

Co 3:16 [Such were the activities in which the Christians engaged in the worship of the early church. But in what way was their worship any more "spiritual" than that seen in the Old Testament? Let me suggest a few observations regarding...]

II. THE SPIRITUAL NATURE OF THEIR WORSHIP

• A. CONTRAST THE LORD'S SUPPER WITH O.T. SACRIFICES

• 1. The OT required elaborate ritual in offering various sacrifices, which certainly involved the physical senses (sight, sound, smell, touch)

• 2. The Supper, a memorial of Christ's sacrifice, involves the mind more than the senses – a. Requiring meditation rather than much in the way

of physical action – b. Involving a time for reflection, self-examination

B. CONTRAST THEIR GIVING WITH O.T. TITHING

• 1. The OT required a specific amount (a tithe, or ten percent), which could easily be given in a obligatory manner

• 2. Giving in the NT was based upon principles requiring careful thought and proper attitudes – a. As one prospered and purposed in their heart – b. Cheerfully, without grudging obligation

C. CONTRAST THEIR SINGING WITH O.T. MUSIC

• 1. Mechanical instruments were used in the OT to accompany praise to God

• 2. In NT worship, the instrument they used was the "heart", not the "harp" – a. Upon which they were to "make melody" - cf.

Ep 5:19 – b. In which they were to sing "with grace" - cf. Co

3:16

D. CONTRAST OTHER ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP

• 1. The OT required: • a. A physical tabernacle (temple) • b. Separate priesthood • c. Special garments • d. Burning of incense • e. Elaborate ceremonies, special feast days

D. CONTRAST OTHER ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP

• 2. In NT worship: • a. The temple is the people of God - 1 Co 3:16-17;

Ep 2:20-22 • b. All Christians are priests - 1 Pe 2:5,9 • c. They adorned themselves with Christ – Gal.

3:27; Co 3:5-14 • d. Their prayers were as incense – Rev. 5:8 • e. Observance of feast days was a cause of

concern - Ga 4:10, 11; Co 2:16,17

CONCLUSION

• 1. The worship in the early church was simple, and it was spiritual

• a. Certainly simple in contrast with the worship of the Old Covenant

• b. Designed to encourage the worship of God with the inner man, not to make an impression on the outer man –

• Not to say that the outer man was not affected, but the priority was on the spiritual

• 2. This was especially true in regards to the use of mechanical instruments of music

• a. "... the first Christians were of too spiritual a fiber to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice." - Catholic Encyclopedia

• b. "The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or even the accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled out by the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ." - Constantine Cavarnos, Byzantine Sacred Music

• c. "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." - John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. I, p. 539

• 3. Sadly, many today think that to become more "spiritual" requires innovation (change). a. Such as mechanical instruments, clapping, burning of incense, theatrical productions

• b. But such things appeal to the fleshly side of man, rather than to his spiritual side! -- When one looks to the OT for the kind of worship they offer, they are taking a step backward, not forward to true spirituality!

• 4. Some complain that simple singing and worship is outdated and boring

• a. But the "fleshly ordinances" of the OT are older than the "spiritual worship" of the NT!

• b. If we find the spiritual worship of the NT boring, is that not a sad commentary on our own spiritual condition? – 1) The melody of a song may only be a simple chant– 2) But if the words of the song present spiritual truths,

how can that be boring? -- Is it really outdated, or simply challenging to those seeking to entertain themselves?

The Church Jesus Built

• In the worship will seek to worship God the way Jesus instructs, again noting His words: "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn 4:23-24)

The Church Jesus Built

Is our worship "in spirit and truth"?