Garden City Church of Christ - The Church! Scriptural Worship!

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The Church! Scriptural Worship!

John 4:19-24; Acts 2:42

Introduction
1. In identifying the Church of the Lord, one must look to see its worship. What did they do? How did they do it? Was a special place required? etc.
2. When we speak of scriptural worship, we are not speaking of what this local church does each time we meet, but rather, what the NT church did when they met together. Acts 2:42
3. What does the NT reveal to us concerning the worship of the NT Church?
1. When did the Lord's Church Meet?
  1. The first day of the week - Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2
    1. This was the day of the resurrection - John 20:1; Luke 24:1,7
    2. Jesus met with His disciples on this day - John 20:19
    3. Church was established on this day- Acts 2:14. Pentecost always came on the first day of the week. Lev. 23:15,16
    4. New Testament church met together to break bread on this day and laid by in store. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2
  2. There is no authority to partake of the Supper and give on any other day of the week this inference is that the church met on the first day of each week.
    1. We have examples of the church meeting on other days thus authorizing that we may sing, pray, and study God's word together beside the first day of the week. Acts 2:
  3. What about the Sabbath?
    1. Given to the Jews. Deut. 5:15
    2. God said it would cease. Hosea 2:11
    3. Paul said it did cease with the death of Christ. Col. 2:13-17
2. The Spirit of Their Worship:
  1. Must be in spirit: proper attitude - John 4:24
  2. Worship was with grace in the hearts of Christians - Col. 3:16
    1. Making melody with our hearts - our hearts must accompany our voices. Eph. 5:19
  3. Pray and sing with spirit and understanding. I Cor. 14:15
  4. If our attitude is wrong, then our worship is vain. Matt. 15:7-9
  5. The Corinthians due to division, carnality, and revelry could not worship with the heart; thus condemned by Paul. I Cor. 11:17,34
  6. What kind of attitude do you have when in worship.
    1. Many denominations entertain themselves instead of worshipping with the spirit and understanding. I Cor. 14:15
3. The Items of worship according to the New Testament:
  1. The Lord's Supper - Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20
    1. First day of the week
    2. Denominations - monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc.
  2. Singing - Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Heb. 2:12
    1. This is the only kind of music authorized in the NT.
    2. Instrumental music is not authorized, thus a transgression of God pattern. 2 John 9
  3. Giving of our means - I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:42 (fellowship)
    1. Lay by in store according to prosperity
    2. What about tithing? Not authorized! Old Testament law for Jews. Deut. 5:1-3
    3. What about any day of the week? To be done upon the first day of the week.
  4. Prayer - Acts 2:42; Acts 12:5
    1. Prayers must be addressed to God through Christ - I Tim. 2:5
    2. Some denominations pray through Mary, or other who are not authorized.
  5. Study of God's Word - Acts 20:7
    1. Paul preached the word - 2 Tim. 4:2
    2. Denominational preachers entertain their audiences and preach human doctrines.
Conclusion
1. Do we as a collectivity worship the God of Heaven in the ways he authorizes?
2. Denominationalism goes beyond what is written in worship, therefore denominational churches is not what Christ died for!

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The Church! Scriptural Worship!

John 4:19-24; Acts 2:42