Building Community Through God-Honoring Worship
Summary
In reflecting on the essence of a God-honoring worship service, we are reminded of the profound blessings that come from gathering as a community of believers. Michael Cochran's song, "Church, Take Me Back," beautifully encapsulates the longing for a spiritual home, a place where faith is nurtured, and where we can depend on one another. This gathering is not just about the physical act of coming together but about the intentional preparation and prayer that goes into creating a space where God’s presence is felt and His people are edified.
The core of our worship services should be the exercise of spiritual gifts to build each other up. This involves a deliberate orchestration of various elements, from music to teaching, all aimed at edification. Worship in song, for instance, should be more than just a musical experience; it should be a means of imparting doctrinal truth and encouraging spiritual growth. Similarly, the gift of tongues, when present, should be accompanied by interpretation to ensure that it serves the congregation's edification.
Moreover, preaching should be conducted with accountability and evaluation by church elders, ensuring that sound doctrine is upheld. This collaborative approach not only maintains doctrinal integrity but also fosters a culture of growth and learning among church leaders and members alike. The leadership structure within the church, as outlined in Scripture, is designed to provide order and clarity, allowing for a harmonious and effective ministry.
Ultimately, our worship services should reflect God's order and peace, avoiding confusion and promoting a spirit of unity and growth. As we gather, we are reminded that the church is not merely a building but the body of Christ, a community called to live out the gospel in love and service. This mission is not just an obligation but the very foundation of our faith, as we grow, mature, and serve together as the family of God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Blessing of Community: Gathering as a church is more than a routine; it is a spiritual homecoming where we find support, encouragement, and a shared faith journey. This community is vital for our spiritual growth and maturity. [00:00]
- Exercising Spiritual Gifts: Worship services should be a platform for exercising spiritual gifts, such as music and teaching, to edify the congregation. Each element of the service should contribute to building up the body of Christ. [11:20]
- Orderly Use of Tongues: The gift of tongues, when present, should be used with interpretation to ensure it benefits the congregation. This reflects the principle of orderly worship that promotes understanding and edification. [30:09]
- Accountability in Preaching: Preaching should be subject to evaluation by church elders to maintain sound doctrine. This accountability ensures that the teaching aligns with biblical truth and supports the spiritual growth of the congregation. [30:09]
- Embracing God’s Leadership Order: The church's leadership structure, as outlined in Scripture, is designed to provide order and clarity. Embracing this structure allows for effective ministry and reflects God's design for His church. [30:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to Worship
- [02:30] - The Blessing of Community
- [05:15] - Preparation for Worship
- [07:00] - What Belongs in Worship
- [09:30] - Exercising Spiritual Gifts
- [11:20] - Worship in Song
- [14:00] - 1 Corinthians 14 Overview
- [16:45] - The Role of Hymns and Lessons
- [19:30] - The Gift of Tongues
- [22:00] - Preaching with Accountability
- [25:00] - Embracing Leadership Order
- [28:30] - Women’s Role in Worship
- [30:09] - Orderly Instruction
- [33:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 14:26, what are some of the elements that Paul mentions should be present in a worship service? How do these elements contribute to the edification of the church?
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that worship in song should be done for edification. What specific examples were given to illustrate how music can impart doctrinal truth and encourage spiritual growth? [11:20]
3. The sermon discussed the use of the gift of tongues in worship services. What guidelines does Paul provide in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 regarding the use of tongues, and why are these guidelines important?
4. How does the sermon describe the role of church elders in maintaining accountability in preaching? What is the significance of this practice for the congregation? [30:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul states that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. How does this principle apply to the structure and order of worship services as discussed in the sermon?
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of exercising spiritual gifts to build up the church. How might this principle influence the way individuals approach their participation in worship services? [11:20]
3. Reflecting on the sermon, how does the concept of accountability in preaching, as described in 1 Corinthians 14:29, contribute to the spiritual growth of both the preacher and the congregation? [30:09]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of embracing God's leadership order within the church. How does this align with the instructions given in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, and what challenges might arise in applying this today?
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Application Questions:
1. The sermon highlighted the blessing of community in worship. How can you actively contribute to creating a welcoming and supportive environment in your church community? [00:00]
2. Considering the sermon’s emphasis on exercising spiritual gifts, what specific gift do you feel called to develop or use more intentionally in your church? How can you take steps to do this?
3. Reflect on the sermon’s discussion about the orderly use of tongues. How can you ensure that your contributions in worship services are edifying and understandable to others? [30:09]
4. The sermon discussed the role of accountability in preaching. How can you support your church leaders in maintaining sound doctrine and providing constructive feedback?
5. Embracing God’s leadership order was a key point in the sermon. How do you personally respond to church leadership, and what steps can you take to align more closely with biblical principles of leadership and submission?
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of intentional preparation for worship. What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart and mind for worship each week?
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to live out the gospel in love and service. Identify one specific way you can serve your church community this month, and make a plan to follow through.
Devotional
Day 1: The Blessing of Spiritual Community
Gathering as a church is more than a routine; it is a spiritual homecoming where believers find support, encouragement, and a shared faith journey. This community is vital for spiritual growth and maturity, as it provides a space where faith is nurtured and believers can depend on one another. The intentional preparation and prayer that go into creating a worship service ensure that God's presence is felt and His people are edified. This gathering is not just about the physical act of coming together but about fostering a sense of belonging and unity among the body of Christ. [00:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer encouragement or support in their faith journey?
Day 2: Exercising Spiritual Gifts for Edification
Worship services should be a platform for exercising spiritual gifts, such as music and teaching, to edify the congregation. Each element of the service should contribute to building up the body of Christ. Worship in song, for instance, should be more than just a musical experience; it should be a means of imparting doctrinal truth and encouraging spiritual growth. The deliberate orchestration of various elements, from music to teaching, aims at edification and spiritual maturity. [11:20]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What spiritual gift has God given you, and how can you use it this week to build up someone in your church community?
Day 3: Orderly Use of Spiritual Gifts
The gift of tongues, when present, should be used with interpretation to ensure it benefits the congregation. This reflects the principle of orderly worship that promotes understanding and edification. Worship services should reflect God's order and peace, avoiding confusion and promoting a spirit of unity and growth. The leadership structure within the church, as outlined in Scripture, is designed to provide order and clarity, allowing for a harmonious and effective ministry. [30:09]
1 Corinthians 14:26-28 (ESV): "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an atmosphere of order and peace in your church gatherings?
Day 4: Accountability in Preaching
Preaching should be subject to evaluation by church elders to maintain sound doctrine. This accountability ensures that the teaching aligns with biblical truth and supports the spiritual growth of the congregation. A collaborative approach to preaching not only maintains doctrinal integrity but also fosters a culture of growth and learning among church leaders and members alike. This accountability is crucial for upholding the truth of the gospel and ensuring that the church remains grounded in Scripture. [30:09]
Titus 1:9 (ESV): "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Reflection: How can you support your church leaders in their commitment to sound doctrine and accountability?
Day 5: Embracing God’s Leadership Order
The church's leadership structure, as outlined in Scripture, is designed to provide order and clarity. Embracing this structure allows for effective ministry and reflects God's design for His church. The leadership within the church is not just about maintaining order but about fostering a spirit of unity and growth among the congregation. As the body of Christ, the church is called to live out the gospel in love and service, with each member playing a vital role in the mission of the church. [30:09]
Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively support and participate in the leadership structure of your church to promote unity and growth?
Quotes
Every weekend for thousands of years, God's people have gathered all around the world in small clusters all over the place to encourage and build up one another with their gifts. And there are three core things that we see belonging in that worship service. Three core ways that those gifts should be showing up. Number one, worship in song should be done for edification. [00:07:33] (29 seconds)
The Apostle Paul had gone on a missionary journey, had planted a church there, and now about four years later is writing a letter to bring some encouragement and focus to that local gathering of followers of Jesus. And he's got some great areas of encouragement. Keep on doing this. Definitely stop doing that, okay? And we come to a passage today where he outlines what belongs in the worship service. [00:09:02] (27 seconds)
He says the things that belong in a worship service are the things that are going to help everyone grow to that next step of maturity in Christ. Now, it's cool, he lists out some different things that belong. He says the word hymn, or this could be translated psalm. It could be a song that was from the Old Testament. It could be a new song that was written. [00:09:26] (22 seconds)
The preaching of God's word, the prophecy that happens on a Sunday morning, is something that should happen with the evaluation of the other church leaders, the other members of the preaching team. Now, one thing that I love about our church, we are a multi-site church. We've got locations in Naperville and Plano and Sugar Grove and out in Shavana. [00:15:27] (22 seconds)
First Corinthians is one of the earlier books of the New Testament to be written. Okay. So that the newly born church of Christ is unfolding throughout the world. These epistles are being written by the apostle Paul and others in a way to continue God's design for the church. And as God continued to inspire the New Testament, his plan for the church to be led by a team. [00:18:13] (27 seconds)
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