IMPROVING OUR WORSHIP

Purpose: to inspire the class to better worship and to teach better worship to others.

Introduction:

    1. Worship is one of today’s hot topics--both in our brotherhood and without. Brochure.

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    2. Some propose that we improve our worship by making substantial changes in what we have done in worship for many years: sing different types of songs, dim the lights, change the order frequently, raise our hands, clap, use drama, let women lead, use special singing groups, use instruments. Some community and denominational churches have gone for these in a big way.

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    3. Some of these changes might be appropriate; some certainly are not. But none of these gets to the room of how to make substantial improvement in our worship. The most beneficial and scriptural thing we can do is to learn about worship and train our members to do it more effectively.

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 Subject Sentence: In these two classes, I will suggest four steps we can take toward better worship. None of these will create controversey in your local church and yet they will improve your worship.

Body:

I. Our Worship Needs Better Understanding.

A. Understand what worship is.
  1. John 4:24: God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
    1. The question was--Where are we to worship?
    2. The answer was--it used to matter where but, under the new covenant, one can worship anywhere if he worships properly.
        1. God is spirit--everywhere--so we can worship anywhere
        2. Worship--kiss the ground before--send a message of honor and submission.
        3. In spirit--our spirits communicate with the Great Spirit who created us in His likeness.
        4. In truth--a contrast with the old so not only in the right way but in reality rather than in types and shadows.
  2. I Cor. 14:15: pray and sing with the spirit and with the understanding also.
    1. verse 14--my spirit. Still talking of our spirits.
    2. If I am praying or singing in a tongue, my spirit might be active but if I do not know the meaning, then my mind is not understanding. One cannot worship in this way.
    3. Along with my spirit, then, my mind must be active. I must understand what I am doing.
  3. Eph. 5:19: singing and making melody in your hearts unto the Lord.
    1. singing is one way God has asked us to communicate with Him--unto the Lord.
    2. As we sing vocally, we are also to be making melody in our hearts--vibrate our hearts--add feeling to what we sing.
  4. Let us summarize:
    1. God is spirit and His children can approach Him anywhere and any time.
    2. Our worship to God is to be on a spiritual level: spirit to Spirit--engage our spirits.
    3. We must approach Him "in truth"--a direct fashion--not through priests, not through types, and as He has directed.
    4. We must understand what we are doing at all times--engage our minds.
    5. We must worship with depth of expression--with feeling--engage our spirits.

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    (Have Thine Own Way Lord--55)
B. We must understand what worship is for.
  1. True worship sends messages to God
    1. Praise--Heb. 13:15
    2. Thanks--Heb. 13:15
    3. Petition--Phil 4:6

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    (We Praise Thee O God--284;
    Dear Lord and Father--366)
     
  1. True worship allows sharing with other Christians
    1. Fellowship--I Cor. 10:16-17
    2. Edification--I Cor. 14:26
II. Our Worship Needs Better Preparation A. We should prepare ourselves by righteous living--Isa. 1:11-17; Ps. 24:3-5.
B. A stronger sense of His presence in our lives--Ps. 63:7; Eph. 1:13. III. Our Worship Needs Better Participation. A. Think the thought
  1. Understand the words--sermons, prayers, songs
  2. Understand the figures--He Leadeth Me, Guide Me,
  3. Understand the phrasing--Jesus Calls Us

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(God Moves in a Mysterious Way--384) B. Feel the Feeling
  1. Focus on the message
  2. Identify the feeling the message should evoke
  3. Stir the feeling

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(Christ We Do All Adore Thee--541)
  IV. Our Worship Needs Better Planning. A. Help worshippers focus on the meaning
  1. Remind people of the meaning and the feeling they should have
  2. Use themes in worship--song selection, prayers, sermon
 B. Use some variety
  1. Changes in the order--Is there a fixed plan in scripture? some changes can help us break the routine which keeps us from thinking.
  2. Use some different things we are sure are scriptural
      1. Group quotation--Acts 4
      2. Responsive readings
      3. Variations in how to present the lesson--question/answer, panel, interview, special guests
      4. Kneel for prayer
  3. Be sure the physical arrangements help.
    1. Lighting
    2. Focus on pulpit
    3. Sound system
    4. Acoustics
    5. Comfort
  4. Use advance planning well.

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(O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee--468)
(Prayer--kneel)