The Edifying Nature Of Worship The church of Christ The Edifying Nature Of Worship

Who Is Worship For? It is primarily for God. It is a soothing aroma when offered in spirit and truth. But it is also for us. Worship is for edification of Christians. How do we benefit from worshiping together?

Edifying One Another 1 Corinthians 14:26 -- What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

What Is Edification? From Greek OIKODOMAY OIKOS = House DOMAY = Build Definition: To instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; uplift; inform. When we gather for worship, does edification happen?

Edification Is A Frequent Charge 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Romans 14:19 -- So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Worship and Edification One way Scripture says we edify one another is in our musical worship to God. Which is also us singing to one another. Ephesians 5:19 – “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord…” Our singing is TO THE LORD and is also “SPEAKING TO ONE ANOTHER. Worship provides two benefits in such a context.

Also a means for teaching Colossians 3:16 -- Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Through songs we are to tech and admonish with all wisdom.

How Do Hymns Edify? Remember that edification is about teaching and giving knowledge. Admonishing is a strong form of teaching to affect a personal change. As we sing, our focus needs to be on the words we’re singing, rather than on the harmony, melody, or other musical dynamics. Doesn’t mean we can’t sing well, but our purpose is to worship God and edify one another.

Edification Happens Because… The word of Christ is dwelling in us – strengthened by the songs we sing. The songs provide encapsulated messages which educate us in Christian thought. More attention should be paid to the message than the notes, beat and dynamics. Though “whole package” is nice too!

Proper Hymns Teach Doctrine Amazing Grace How Great Thou Art Marching To Zion Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Holy, Holy, Holy We should consider the message of each hymn and be sure it’s edifying and not just entertaining.

Some hymns Are Better Than Others What, for example, does this mean? “I’m going home on the morning train… Evening train might be too late…” What is the morning train and what is the evening train and do these instruct us on eschatology? Will there be more than one train to heaven? Premillennialism? The journey to heaven does not involve trains.

Worship Structure And Edification How we organize our worship will ultimately affect whether edification happens. Paul spoke to the Corinthians about the total chaos their worship services had become. In short, they had become disruptive, disorganized, and disrespectful in their worship services and people were being hurt rather than built up.

1 Corinthians 14:20, 23-40 “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature…. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you….

1 Cor. 14…continued Vs. 26 -- What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification….. In brief: Limit tongue speakers to two or three. Make speakers take turns. If no interpreter everyone remains silent. Only two or three prophets (preachers) at a service. and take turns. “…so that you may all learn and all may be exhorted….” vs. 33 – “…for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 14, continued again… Vs. 34-36 – Women are to remain silent in the assembly. Vs. 39-40 – “Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”

Properly and Orderly? Does not mean, “Whatever the elders say goes and everyone else can just deal with it.” Does not mean that any new idea or new order of worship, or new organizational idea is indecent and out of order. Does mean that we aren’t to try and overpower each other, or monopolize the time we have together, or babble on and on about nothing to keep the limelight, or shout one another down, or any other disruptive, abusive, behavior.

What is our ultimate goal in NT worship? Bringing glory to God’s name. Edifying one another.