Four pillars of a strong church Pillar 2: “Passionate Praise to God” Part 2

“…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16:11

If we do not prepare our hearts for worship, we will not be able to participate in true worship. This will result in the absence of God’s presence, and there will be no realization of joy in worship.

Article 18 – The CHurch 18-2 The purpose of the Church is to worship God, to edify the saints and to evangelize the world.

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-12

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

John 4

She worships what she does not know. Knowledge of the truth about God go hand in hand with worship of God. Worship in Truth! She worships what she does not know. Knowledge of the truth about God go hand in hand with worship of God. Worship in Truth! Points of John 4

She worships what she does not know. Knowledge of the truth about God goes hand in hand with worship of God. Worship in Truth! She worships what she does not know. Knowledge of the truth about God goes hand in hand with worship of God. Worship in Truth! Warning against worshipping any way that we see fit. Warning against worshipping any way that we see fit. Worship in Spirit. Worship in Spirit. Worship comes from a heart that knows the gospel deeply. Worship comes from a heart that knows the gospel deeply. Points of John 4

1.Grow in our knowledge of God. 2.Worship in Truth 3.Worship in Spirit 4.Understand our redemption. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your heart to God.” - Colossians 3:16 Summary

NT Worship Worship also includes striving towards holiness. - Hebrews 12:14

1.Essentials of Worship/Form – Not optional. Clearly commanded in Scripture. 2.Non-Essentials of Worship/Freedom – Must conform to the general principles of the freedom of the conscience and the edification of the church.

1.Essentials - Singing praises, Praying, Preaching, Giving, Edifying one another, and Observing the Lord’s Supper and Baptism 2.Non-Essentials – Time of Service, Location of Service, Pew or Chair, Method of Music

1.All of God’s people are to be involved. 2.Allow enough freedom for the Spirit to lead and yet at the same time He calls us to do everything decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). A few more things for a more Biblical worship experience

1.Does this aspect of our worship promote order or confusion? 1 Cor. 14:33 and 14:40 2.Does it edify the Body? 14:5, 12, and 26 3.Is what I’m doing in worship done out of a motivation of love toward my brothers and sisters, for building them up rather than bringing attention to myself? 14:1 4.Does it glorify God? 10:31 5.Does it contradict Scripture? 4:6 5 questions to continually ask