CHURCH FESTIVALS WHAT IS PENTECOST SUNDAY
KEY VERSE: All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. ACTS 2:4
Scripture lesson: ACTS 2:1-13, 40-41
1. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them
4. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
7. Utterly amazed, they asked:” Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
8. Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
9. Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome
11. (both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonder of God in our own tongues!”
12. Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13. Some, however, made fun of them and said, “they have had too much wine.
ACTS 2:40 With many other words he warned them and he pleaded with them; “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
14. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
INTRODUCTION
Pentecost Sunday is an important date in the Church calendar. It falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday and fifty days following Easter Sunday in most Christian tradition. It occurs as early as May 10 and as late as June 13, depending on when Easter in fixed.
Pentecost Sunday commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other disciples of Jesus (Act2) and thereby empowering them for mission.
This week we shall study the meaning, significance and relevance of Pentecost to the Church of today.
EXPOSITION
Biblical Background
The word “Pentecost” means “fiftieth day”. Historically and symbolically Pentecost is related to the Jewish harvest festival of “Shavout” (the Feast of Weeks). This agricultural festival was celebrated to give thanks for the first fruits of the early spring harvest (Lev 23:15-22). In Exodus 23:14-17, instructions on the celebration of three annual festivals are given. The first is, the Feast of Unleavened Bread which is a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt and the Passover. The second is referred to as follows, “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field.” This is the feast of Pentecost. The third is the feast of Ingathering which marks the end of the harvest season. The further instruction was that, “Three times a year (i.e, during the three festivals) all the men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord.”
By New Testament times, Pentecost had gradually lost its association with agriculture and the Torah and had become associated with the celebration of God’s creation of his people and their religious history.
Theological Background
1. The Resurrection of Christ: The Apostle Paul describes the resurrection of Jesus as follows; “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (I Cor. 15:20). Therefore, it can be said that the Feast of Firstfruits or Pentecost looked forward to the resurrection of Christ.
2. The Birth of the New Testament Church: Pentecost was indeed the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel about what the Lord will do in the Last days. “I will pour out my Spirit on all people…” (Joel 2:28-32). It was also a fulfillment of the promise of Jesus to the disciples just before his ascension – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Ac 1:8). Pentecost had to take place, before the Church could take off.
The Holy Spirit as the Firstfruit of Our Inheritance: Pentecost does not only remind us of the pouring of the Holy Spirit, but it also reminds us, in the words of the Apostle Paul that, “we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit… wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.. “(Ro. 8:23-27).
Pentecost therefore represents God’s gracious enabling power to his people so the would lives in dynamic ways, the witness of being his people. Pentecost points to the reversal of the event of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 where God disorganized the people with different languages. In Acts, he united them with the languages of many people and gave birth to the universal church.
INSTITUTION OF THE FESTIVAL
Pentecost Sunday is also called Whit Sunday or Whitsunday possibly in reference to the white robes worn by catechumens and others who are baptized on that day. An alternative derivation is from the word “wit” or “wisdom” which implies that it was the day the Apostles were filled with wisdom from God by the Holy Spirit.
The sanctuary colour of Pentecost Sunday is red, the colour of the Church. The red symbolizes the Fire of Pentecost as well as that of the Apostles and other disciples of Jesus who were gathered in the Upper Room for the empowerment from God to preach the gospel to other nations.
CELEBRATING THE DAY
Pentecost Sunday should be a day of reflection by the individual Christian and the church as a whole.
1 The Individual Christian: This is a day for the individual Christian to reflect on the meaning of the day as discussed above. Pentecost Sunday is the day to celebrate hope because Christ our firstfruit is risen and his indwelling Holy Spirit is a guarantee of our inheritance in him. It is also a time to reflect on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives for living and for ministry. Then, we need to examine the working of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
2 Celebration by the Church: This is a day to celebrate the birthday of the New Testament Church knowing that God is at work among His people, through His Holy Spirit. It is a celebration of newness of creation, of revival of purpose, mission and calling as God’s people. It is a recognition of God’s Spirit-filled people doing God’s on-going work in the world.
There is the need to use this sacred day to call the people to renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Pentecost Sunday should provide the opportunity for instruction and reflection on spiritual renewal, nurture and growth in the Church Jesus told his disciples, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you shall be my witnesses… “ (Acts 1:8) this therefore is a day for serious reflection on whether the church is experiencing and demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in all his manifestations and in its mission or that it has become a group of “Powerless” individuals meeting for “worship.” Since the sanctuary colour of Pentecost Sunday is red, symbolizing the Fire of Pentecost, it should remind the church of the power we need for mission. The prayer on this occasion should be; “Come Holy Spirit, empower your church.”
The week must be observed as a serious week for evangelism, doing house to house visitations – not just to share the Good News but also to pray for the sick and help the poor and needy in society. There is the need to focus on the Church’s mission to the world. It must be a real celebration of the birthday of the Church and the Church will do well to organize programmes that will strengthen its “Koinonia” (fellowship). A Pentecost vigil will also be of help to the Church by reminding us of the Pentecost Fire which must keep on burning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s ministry.
2. What does the event of Acts 2 mean to us believers of today?
3. With the impressive work done by the Apostles, for example, Peter after the descent of the Holy Spirit in mind, what must be our attitude toward evangelism today?
4. What does it mean to be empowered by the Holy Spirit?
5. Suggest ways of making Pentecost Sunday more relevant to believers of today. Discuss each one of them.
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week, make it a duty to share your personal experience of Jesus with at least one unbeliever. Lead them to Christ with this demonstrable testimony, share the outcome with the class.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Isaiah 44:1-8 Recreation of God’s people
Tuesday Genesis 11:1-9 Restoration of Community and unity of purpose.
Wednesday Psalm 104:24-34 Newness and renewal.
Thursday John 14:8-17 God empowers people for mission
Friday John 20:19-23 Jesus breathes His Holy Spirit upon us.
Saturday I Corinthians 12:3-13 Gifts of the Holy Spirit enable God’s
People to work in the world.
Pentecost Sunday this year falls on31st May 2009.
Apply the lessons of this week’s study to ensure a fruitful celebration.
Monday, April 6, 2009
09WK15- UNDERSTANDING CANTICLES
UNDERSTANDING CANTICLES
KEY VERSE: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord EPHESLIANS 5:19
SCRIPTURE LESSON: EPHESIANS 5:18-20
18 do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
INTRODUCTION
The above passage in Ephesians exhorts us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” This immediately tells you that the church’s worship is enriched by variety of music. We need to recognize the importance of singing or church music in worship as it deepens our participation in worship. St Augustine explains that whoever sings prays twice.
Methodism, as part of its music tradition, has inherited and kept canticles as part of its worship services. This tradition is noticeably dying out gradually. In this lesson, we shall attempt to explain the meaning of canticles and its usage, and explore why canticles are not more popularly sang today and offer suggestions as to how the singing of canticles can be revived.
EXPOSITION
1. What is the meaning of Canticles?
A canticle is strictly a hymn taken directly from the Bible but this does not always include the Psalms which form another category of songs used in worship. The term however is often expanded to include ancient non-Biblical hymns such as the Te Deum and certain psalms used liturgically.
2. The Usage of Canticles
Christians inherited their usage of the Psalms as canticles from the Jewish tradition of singing the Psalms. The Psalms became the service book of Christian worship for the Early Church. From the ‘Book of Common Prayer,’ we gather that the Church of England (the Anglican Church) makes extensive use of canticles and this was inherited by the Methodists. The following are the popular canticles that have been sung by the Church over the years.
i. Venite (Psalm 95)
The title is a Latin word derived from the first verse and theme of the Psalm, inviting us to come and join in the praise of the Lord. The first part of the psalm extols the greatness of God in creation and his providence. The second part of the psalm deals with the mighty acts of salvation of our God which He demonstrated by delivering Israel from Egypt.
ii. Te Deum (Non-Biblical)
The title is a Latin statement which is derived from the theme of the canticle saying, “We Praise Thee O Lord.” It is a canticle of praise like the Venite. The canticle praises God as Father and Holy spirit in the first part, God as Son in the second part and brings before him the corporate prayers of his people in the third.
iii. Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79)
The title is a Latin word, which means blessings. A related English word is “benediction.” It is a prophecy given by John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah when his son was born. The song speaks of the coming of the Messiah to save his people and also about what his son was going to do as a forerunner of the Messiah. The singing of this song should remind us of God’s faithfulness to his people and to us. It should remind us of the mercy of God to his people and to Zechariah after his long wait for a child.
iv. Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100)
The title of this psalm is a statement in Latin meaning that the Psalm is for, “Rejoicing in the Lord.” The word “Jubilation” is derived from the Latin “Jubilation” and “Deo” is the Latin word for God. The Psalm invites us to: “Shout for joy to the Lord, Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” It goes on to say; “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
This is a great psalm of praise and rejoicing, which should be part of our praise during our worship services.
At Evening Prayer or Vespers the following are used:
7 The Magnificent (Luke 1:46-55)
8 Cantata Dimino (Psalm 98)
9 Nunc Dimmittis (Luke 2:29-32)
10 Dues Misereatur (Psalm 67)
The titles are all in Latin, reflecting their increased use when the dominant language in Christian churches was Latin. We have given this wide usage to explain the importance that is attached to the canticles in Christian worship.
3. The Message of the Canticles
a close study of the Canticles shows that the principal message is to extol the great and mighty work of God (e.g. the Benedictus – Luke 1:68-74). Also in the canticles great Christian truths are affirmed as in Psalm 8 (Canticle 18 in the Methodist Hymn Book (MHB). Personal confessions can also be derived in the canticles Psalm 51 (Canticle 35 in the MHB). The Canticles are also messages of affirmation of our relationship with God – Psalm 118 – (Canticle 56 of the MHB).
For posterity, the Methodist Church has chosen and preserved 78 canticles for usage in worship. Each of these may have their distinct message worth studying in detail. What we have given above is only representative. What is generally true through out all the canticles is that they are mostly man’s response to the saving acts of God, expressed in poetry. They can be used for personal devotion as well as for corporate worship.
4. How to choose and use the Canticles
As we have noted each canticle has a particular message. We need to be sure about the occasion or the particular Christian festival before choosing the canticles. For example Psalm 95 (Canticle 1 of the MHB) has always been sang as a praise song at the beginning of services; so also canticle 2. However we have a problem with a few others. Some help may be in place.
The Benedict (Canticle 3 of MHB), and Cantemus Cuncti (Canticle 4 of the MHB) may be sang during Annual Harvests. The Benedictus (Canticle 7 of the MHB) are to be used during Christmas festivities. A look at Canticle 27 of the MHB shows that it can be used during Intercessory prayers; and together with Canticle 56 for spiritual warfare prayers where we need to affirm God’s power to deliver. Canticle 72 is a perfect one for the Passion Week or Esther. The beauty of Canticles 70 and 71 makes them suitable for mission services as we prepare to engage the world for Jesus. Throughout the Christian year, and no matter the personal and corporate seasons of the community of faith, there can be a canticle for use. A wise search and meditation will bring out the most suitable.
What has happen to canticles and how can we redeem them?
Despite their value as aids in Christian worship, contemporary Christians (Methodists included), have ceased to make much use of the Canticles. From our research there are two basic reasons:
i. There is lack of teaching on the canticles and their value for worship.
ii. Current musical taste has shifted to the more ‘ less stressful ‘ singing of the popular ‘ one –liner ‘ choruses.
Most people we talked to also had problems with the language (diction) especially in the English and to some extent in the local language (usually Ga and Akan) because translators themselves were so literal in their translation that their phrases did not conform to the natural way of speaking.
If we are to redeem the canticles for usage, there are areas we need to address. Some new hymnals are beginning to address the language problem by providing modern English usage as alternatives. Again as music taste and style changes, these hymnals have responded by giving ways in which the canticles can be sang responsively. This can be exploited since we have a tradition of our lyrics ebibidwom as examples.
Noticing that the canticles are mostly psalms, there is an emerging tradition to have the psalms read in monologue or dialogue by the congregation in response to the Bible lesson. New contemporary tunes can be set to the canticles that are popularly known and sang. This will attract the young generation.
6. Conclusion
Canticles are an important aid to Christian worship. In their words, human express their deepest devotion to God and we can learn a lot from this as individuals and as a corporate body of Christ. With a conscious effort and dedication to musical renewal, we can redeem the canticles for more greater and purposeful use.
DISCUSSION QUESTION
a. Explain the word ‘ Canticle ‘ in your own words.
b. What value do the canticles have for Christians?
c. How useful are the following canticles to the Christians:
a. Exodus 15:1-19
b. Luke 1:68-79 (MHB Canticle 5)
c. Psalm 98 (MHB Canticle 8)
d. Read Psalm 23 (Canticle 25 of MHB), If you were:
(a). a driver (b). a farmer (c). a student, how would you re-word this psalm?
5a. Why do you think the canticles are dying out in our services?
e. Suggest ways in which we can redeem the canticles and sing them meaningful?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week meditate on the jubilate Deo (Canticle of the MHB). What lessons do you gather from this canticle? Come to your group prepared to share your thoughts.
DAILY BIBLE READING
Monday Psalm 95 Venite
Tuesday Luke 1:68-79 Benedictus
Wednesday Psalm 100 Jubilant Deo
Thursday Luke 1:46-55 Magnificat
Friday Psalm 67 Dus Misereatur
Saturday Luke 2:29-32 Nunc Dimittis
Jesus is risen!
Find a Canticle which you can sing all week, in addition to the
Jubilate Deo, to commemorate the wonderful fact of Christ’s
Resurrection.
KEY VERSE: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord EPHESLIANS 5:19
SCRIPTURE LESSON: EPHESIANS 5:18-20
18 do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
INTRODUCTION
The above passage in Ephesians exhorts us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” This immediately tells you that the church’s worship is enriched by variety of music. We need to recognize the importance of singing or church music in worship as it deepens our participation in worship. St Augustine explains that whoever sings prays twice.
Methodism, as part of its music tradition, has inherited and kept canticles as part of its worship services. This tradition is noticeably dying out gradually. In this lesson, we shall attempt to explain the meaning of canticles and its usage, and explore why canticles are not more popularly sang today and offer suggestions as to how the singing of canticles can be revived.
EXPOSITION
1. What is the meaning of Canticles?
A canticle is strictly a hymn taken directly from the Bible but this does not always include the Psalms which form another category of songs used in worship. The term however is often expanded to include ancient non-Biblical hymns such as the Te Deum and certain psalms used liturgically.
2. The Usage of Canticles
Christians inherited their usage of the Psalms as canticles from the Jewish tradition of singing the Psalms. The Psalms became the service book of Christian worship for the Early Church. From the ‘Book of Common Prayer,’ we gather that the Church of England (the Anglican Church) makes extensive use of canticles and this was inherited by the Methodists. The following are the popular canticles that have been sung by the Church over the years.
i. Venite (Psalm 95)
The title is a Latin word derived from the first verse and theme of the Psalm, inviting us to come and join in the praise of the Lord. The first part of the psalm extols the greatness of God in creation and his providence. The second part of the psalm deals with the mighty acts of salvation of our God which He demonstrated by delivering Israel from Egypt.
ii. Te Deum (Non-Biblical)
The title is a Latin statement which is derived from the theme of the canticle saying, “We Praise Thee O Lord.” It is a canticle of praise like the Venite. The canticle praises God as Father and Holy spirit in the first part, God as Son in the second part and brings before him the corporate prayers of his people in the third.
iii. Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79)
The title is a Latin word, which means blessings. A related English word is “benediction.” It is a prophecy given by John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah when his son was born. The song speaks of the coming of the Messiah to save his people and also about what his son was going to do as a forerunner of the Messiah. The singing of this song should remind us of God’s faithfulness to his people and to us. It should remind us of the mercy of God to his people and to Zechariah after his long wait for a child.
iv. Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100)
The title of this psalm is a statement in Latin meaning that the Psalm is for, “Rejoicing in the Lord.” The word “Jubilation” is derived from the Latin “Jubilation” and “Deo” is the Latin word for God. The Psalm invites us to: “Shout for joy to the Lord, Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” It goes on to say; “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
This is a great psalm of praise and rejoicing, which should be part of our praise during our worship services.
At Evening Prayer or Vespers the following are used:
7 The Magnificent (Luke 1:46-55)
8 Cantata Dimino (Psalm 98)
9 Nunc Dimmittis (Luke 2:29-32)
10 Dues Misereatur (Psalm 67)
The titles are all in Latin, reflecting their increased use when the dominant language in Christian churches was Latin. We have given this wide usage to explain the importance that is attached to the canticles in Christian worship.
3. The Message of the Canticles
a close study of the Canticles shows that the principal message is to extol the great and mighty work of God (e.g. the Benedictus – Luke 1:68-74). Also in the canticles great Christian truths are affirmed as in Psalm 8 (Canticle 18 in the Methodist Hymn Book (MHB). Personal confessions can also be derived in the canticles Psalm 51 (Canticle 35 in the MHB). The Canticles are also messages of affirmation of our relationship with God – Psalm 118 – (Canticle 56 of the MHB).
For posterity, the Methodist Church has chosen and preserved 78 canticles for usage in worship. Each of these may have their distinct message worth studying in detail. What we have given above is only representative. What is generally true through out all the canticles is that they are mostly man’s response to the saving acts of God, expressed in poetry. They can be used for personal devotion as well as for corporate worship.
4. How to choose and use the Canticles
As we have noted each canticle has a particular message. We need to be sure about the occasion or the particular Christian festival before choosing the canticles. For example Psalm 95 (Canticle 1 of the MHB) has always been sang as a praise song at the beginning of services; so also canticle 2. However we have a problem with a few others. Some help may be in place.
The Benedict (Canticle 3 of MHB), and Cantemus Cuncti (Canticle 4 of the MHB) may be sang during Annual Harvests. The Benedictus (Canticle 7 of the MHB) are to be used during Christmas festivities. A look at Canticle 27 of the MHB shows that it can be used during Intercessory prayers; and together with Canticle 56 for spiritual warfare prayers where we need to affirm God’s power to deliver. Canticle 72 is a perfect one for the Passion Week or Esther. The beauty of Canticles 70 and 71 makes them suitable for mission services as we prepare to engage the world for Jesus. Throughout the Christian year, and no matter the personal and corporate seasons of the community of faith, there can be a canticle for use. A wise search and meditation will bring out the most suitable.
What has happen to canticles and how can we redeem them?
Despite their value as aids in Christian worship, contemporary Christians (Methodists included), have ceased to make much use of the Canticles. From our research there are two basic reasons:
i. There is lack of teaching on the canticles and their value for worship.
ii. Current musical taste has shifted to the more ‘ less stressful ‘ singing of the popular ‘ one –liner ‘ choruses.
Most people we talked to also had problems with the language (diction) especially in the English and to some extent in the local language (usually Ga and Akan) because translators themselves were so literal in their translation that their phrases did not conform to the natural way of speaking.
If we are to redeem the canticles for usage, there are areas we need to address. Some new hymnals are beginning to address the language problem by providing modern English usage as alternatives. Again as music taste and style changes, these hymnals have responded by giving ways in which the canticles can be sang responsively. This can be exploited since we have a tradition of our lyrics ebibidwom as examples.
Noticing that the canticles are mostly psalms, there is an emerging tradition to have the psalms read in monologue or dialogue by the congregation in response to the Bible lesson. New contemporary tunes can be set to the canticles that are popularly known and sang. This will attract the young generation.
6. Conclusion
Canticles are an important aid to Christian worship. In their words, human express their deepest devotion to God and we can learn a lot from this as individuals and as a corporate body of Christ. With a conscious effort and dedication to musical renewal, we can redeem the canticles for more greater and purposeful use.
DISCUSSION QUESTION
a. Explain the word ‘ Canticle ‘ in your own words.
b. What value do the canticles have for Christians?
c. How useful are the following canticles to the Christians:
a. Exodus 15:1-19
b. Luke 1:68-79 (MHB Canticle 5)
c. Psalm 98 (MHB Canticle 8)
d. Read Psalm 23 (Canticle 25 of MHB), If you were:
(a). a driver (b). a farmer (c). a student, how would you re-word this psalm?
5a. Why do you think the canticles are dying out in our services?
e. Suggest ways in which we can redeem the canticles and sing them meaningful?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week meditate on the jubilate Deo (Canticle of the MHB). What lessons do you gather from this canticle? Come to your group prepared to share your thoughts.
DAILY BIBLE READING
Monday Psalm 95 Venite
Tuesday Luke 1:68-79 Benedictus
Wednesday Psalm 100 Jubilant Deo
Thursday Luke 1:46-55 Magnificat
Friday Psalm 67 Dus Misereatur
Saturday Luke 2:29-32 Nunc Dimittis
Jesus is risen!
Find a Canticle which you can sing all week, in addition to the
Jubilate Deo, to commemorate the wonderful fact of Christ’s
Resurrection.
Monday, March 30, 2009
09WK14 EXPERIENCING GROWTH THROUGH WORSHIP
Week 14
EXPERIENCING GROWTH THROUGH WORSHIP
KEY VERSE: Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. 1 CHRONICLES 29-6
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 29:1-20
1 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “ My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.
2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God-gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble-all of these in large quantities.
3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple.
4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings,
5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?”
6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.
7 They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron.
8 Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.
9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting.
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
14 “ But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
18 O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.
19And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure fore which I have provided.”
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “LORD the God. “So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the Lord and the King.
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we looked at worship is and the various elements of worship and their significance in worship. Today we continue our study by looking at the role giving and the preaching of the Word of God play in worship.
GIVING AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP
In 2 Corinthians 9:12, the word translated service (leitourgia – priestly service), has the underlying meaning of worshipping God by being cheerfully generous. This implies that Christian giving is not simply for the sake of giving; it is a performing of an act of worship to God. It is ministry performed by Christians and is something every member is expected to fully participate in. As a ministry Christian giving is seen:
a. As a privileged service – According to Paul, the Macedonian churches looked upon the opportunity to give to help their poor brethren in Jerusalem as a favour or grace from God himself. In other words, we are to see Christian giving as an opportunity for us to be of service to God and others in need.
b. As a service that brings glory to God (2 Co. 9:12,13). Christians, in giving towards God’s work and meeting the needs of others, bring glory to God as the beneficiaries express their depth of gratitude to God. In other words, the reward for Christian giving is the glory of God and the blessing of others. Men receive our good deeds or see our good deeds, and glorify God.
That Giving is an act of worship is again emphasized in the gifts that the apostle Paul received from the Philippian church. He wrote to acknowledge their generosity and said I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:18 19). These words indicate that the apostle Paul recognizea giving as an act of worship. He also believed that God would reward those who gave. The Bible gives us helpful guidelines as to how we should worship the Lord through our giving.
1 We are to give cheerfully and gladly, and not just because we think we ought to. The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As we give cheerfully, it becomes easier for us to also give generously (Ro 12:8). We don’t give just to ease a troubled conscience, but we give as we fell led of the Lord to give.
2 We are also to give in humility and not in order to be acknowledged Jesus showed us in Matthew 6:3-4 how to give in order that we would receive an even greater reward. The Lord Speaks here of humility, of giving that is free from pride, free from the desire of man’s praise. Giving as unto the Lord is the kind of giving that he rewards. Some of our reward may come here on earth. But our greatest reward will be given to us when we stand before the Lord on the day he says thank you for all we have done for him (Mt 25:34-40). This kind of giving suggests that even if you do something for someone who is ungrateful, or who wouldn’t repay you with a word of thanks, it does not matter. The Lord, who sees everything remembers and counts your kindness as being done for him. In view of our eternal rewards, serving and giving cheerfully, generously and humbly comes easier, and the Lord will help us if it seems a bit hard at times. He will give us the grace us the grace and strength that we need to truly worship him in this way.
2. Offertory/Special Times of Giving
The Scriptural pattern for financing projects in the Old Testament, whether it was building a Temple, alleviating the hardships of others or supporting the priests, was through tithes and offerings. The Old Testament shows that the Israelites not only gave tithes, but also Free will thanks offerings. As the name suggests, these are voluntary gifts given at any particular time by an individual in response to an appeal to finance some project or for the ongoing day-today expenses of the Church. An unparalleled example of a free will offering is recorded for us in exodus 35:35-36:7. For the construction of the Tabernacle, the Israelites brought free will offering morning after morning and they brought so much that they had to be restrained from bringing more because what they had brought was more than enough for the work. Thus in addition to the tithe, the free will offerings from a significant part of giving in the Old Testament. What is left out today in many sermons based on Malachi 3:8-10, is the mention of free will offerings which the Prophet also spoke about in the same passage.
The second example of giving to fiancé a project is found in I Chronicles 29:1-9. David knew that his people must have a share in the cost of the temple, so he asked the leaders of the nation to contribute, and they did so willingly. David had first set the example in giving, and he reminded the people that they were giving to the Lord (29:1-6). Their giving was an act of worship (29:5b), and they gave generously.
In the light of the above, there should be more incidents of praise and thanksgiving to God for opportunities to give, that what prevails in many congregations today. Often we hear people give thanks to God for healing, a job, etc., but never for the opportunity to give towards the Lord’s work or to someone in need.
3. The quality of the message from the pulpit
In John 4:23-24, Jesus taught that acceptable worship was to be done not only in spirit (in the heart), but also in truth. He went on to expand this by telling the woman that the Jews worshipped what they knew, the reason being that God had revealed himself to the Jews. The Samaritans worshipped what they did not know, because they had not received God’s truth. Therefore, to truly worship God, to truly submit on him in all things, we need to learn more about him. Ready the Scriptures, being instructed in the faith and meditating on the truth of God so received is therefore very important. It is impossible to worship God truly without really knowing him. Any such worship is not true worship because it is not according to the truth God has revealed about himself.
In our last study we saw that, the sermon is central in the worship service. It is God’s message to the people. The other elements of worship are God-directed; this element is man-directed. Both the preacher and church members need to understand that because it is the Word of God, it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16). A sermon that is not more than a series of stories and illustrations is not worth the effort or time of minister or people.
The sermon must therefore be well prepared. Good preparation requires discipline of time and hard work. It is helpful to write most sermons out. This does not mean that they should be read in delivery but it does mean that (a) you know what you are going to say, (b) have thought it through, (c) have the timing in control, (d) have chosen the words carefully and (e) can check that it meets the essential requirements of a sermon. This is because the results of sermon preparation and delivery have eternal implications.
We should therefore give the Sermon an important place in the worship service. For without hearing God speak through his Word to us, worship is not complete since God communicates his truths to the worshipper through his Word. However, the sermon must be proclaimed in a way that would help the worshippers to relate God’s Word to their own lives and respond appropriately to him. In the words of John Stott,
God must speak to us before we have any liberty to speak to him, he must to us who he is before we can offer him what we are in acceptable worship, the worship of god is always a response to the Word of God. scripture wonderfully directs and enriches our worship.
Therefore, we must provide a distinctive and visible place in the worship service to enable worshippers to respond to God as he speaks to us through the Word preached and studied.
4. The management of TIME in our Worship
To prevent our worship from being mechanical or overly time conscious but being in tune with the Holy Spirit, our worship service must be thoroughly planned. This means the minister preacher has thought and prayed through regarding the purpose of the service and assigned a time frame for each of the elements that make up the worship and yet be able to control things to also allow for freedom in worship. He will also have communicated the order of the service and special instructions to all the participants.
GENERAL CONCLUSION – Practising Worship
The tour guide had just completed his talk, explaining to the visitors the various places of interest they could visit. Have you been to all these interesting places?, est, he said. I know about them but I have never been to any of them.
Knowing how to do something and doing it are not always the same. Skill comes through practice. No one can learn to play the guitar without also practicing on it. And no one can learn to worship without also worshipping. The purpose of these two lessons (last week and this week) on worship is not to tell you how you must worship, but to share what other believers have learned about worship and to encourage you to put into practice what you are learning; you will in turn help others too. As we end these two studies let us draw our attention to the following:
Recognize way to improve your own devotional and worship time.
When did the worshipers in the Bible seek God? Daniel prayed three times a day. David sought the Lord, morning and evening. I Chronicles 16:11 give the indication that we are to worship him continually. Our worship is continuous when we are totally committed to him. There should, however, a special time each day when we can have close and personal communion with the Lord.
Many people face situations that make it difficult to find a time and place to be alone, but they make a way. A married couple gts up an hour before their family does so they can have their private devotion; a working man walks to a park during his lunch break so he can be alone. Whatever your circumstance, the Lord can help you set aside a time for fellowship with him. During this time you will want to worship. When worshiping you get to know the Lord in a more personal sense. I know you will find this “hour” with the Lord becoming more valuable as the months go by. If you have experiences you would like to share with your group, please feel free to do so.
Join other Christians to Worship the Lord (Heb 10:25).
It is just as important for believers today to get together as it was for the early Christians. One reason for united worship is that the presence of the Lord is with those who gather in his Name. Jesus said, Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Mt 18:20). There is strength in unity (Ecc 4:12). The strength of unity applies to spiritual things as well. We live in a sinful world and we need each other. If I come to church discouraged and hear others praising God, it helps me to forget about my problems and praise God too. Someone else may tell what the Lord has done for him and it would be exactly what I turn to minister to someone else. Little wonder that God’s Word encourages us to get together for fellowship. God bless you as you seek to worship in private and in public!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. (a) Using the lessons and guidelines given in last week’s and today lesson, prepare an order of service for a Sunday morning meeting. What would you include and why?
(b) Compare your list with what is practiced in your local church. Are they different? What suggestions can you make to improve on the worship service in you local church?
2. In most churches, the morning worship service is scheduled to last for about two to three hours, what portion of the time would you allow for the various elements identified in question I (a) and why?
3. How can we make our offertory and special appeals for funds to finance various church programmes an act of worship?
4. Assess the relevance of the messages you hear preached in your local church. a. Do they meet the real needs of the members of the congregation?
b. Are there any suggestions you can make to improve this important aspect of the worship experience?
5. From what you have learnt on worship so far what name would you suggest for the portion of time sometimes called ‘Praise and worship’? Why?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
Worship involves offering ourselves, all that we are and all that we have. It means giving of our money, time and our abilities. This week look into your church fellowship or study group, is there someone you can worship the Lord through ministering to that person’s need? God bless you as you worship him through this avenue.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Exodus 25:1-9 Freewill Offering
Tuesday Deuteronomy 16:9-17 Give as the Lord has Blessed You
Wednesday Matthew 6:1-4 Give Without Boasting
Thursday 2 Corinthians 9:7-15 Give Cheerfully
Friday 2 Timothy 3:10-16 Equipped for Every Good Work
Saturday 2 Peter 1:19-21 Pay attention to the Word.
As you celebrate Passion Week which includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, meditate on what the Lord has done for you in Christ Jesus. May he bless your worship during this period.
EXPERIENCING GROWTH THROUGH WORSHIP
KEY VERSE: Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. 1 CHRONICLES 29-6
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 29:1-20
1 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “ My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.
2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God-gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble-all of these in large quantities.
3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple.
4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings,
5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?”
6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.
7 They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron.
8 Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.
9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting.
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
14 “ But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
18 O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.
19And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure fore which I have provided.”
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “LORD the God. “So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the Lord and the King.
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we looked at worship is and the various elements of worship and their significance in worship. Today we continue our study by looking at the role giving and the preaching of the Word of God play in worship.
GIVING AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP
In 2 Corinthians 9:12, the word translated service (leitourgia – priestly service), has the underlying meaning of worshipping God by being cheerfully generous. This implies that Christian giving is not simply for the sake of giving; it is a performing of an act of worship to God. It is ministry performed by Christians and is something every member is expected to fully participate in. As a ministry Christian giving is seen:
a. As a privileged service – According to Paul, the Macedonian churches looked upon the opportunity to give to help their poor brethren in Jerusalem as a favour or grace from God himself. In other words, we are to see Christian giving as an opportunity for us to be of service to God and others in need.
b. As a service that brings glory to God (2 Co. 9:12,13). Christians, in giving towards God’s work and meeting the needs of others, bring glory to God as the beneficiaries express their depth of gratitude to God. In other words, the reward for Christian giving is the glory of God and the blessing of others. Men receive our good deeds or see our good deeds, and glorify God.
That Giving is an act of worship is again emphasized in the gifts that the apostle Paul received from the Philippian church. He wrote to acknowledge their generosity and said I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:18 19). These words indicate that the apostle Paul recognizea giving as an act of worship. He also believed that God would reward those who gave. The Bible gives us helpful guidelines as to how we should worship the Lord through our giving.
1 We are to give cheerfully and gladly, and not just because we think we ought to. The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As we give cheerfully, it becomes easier for us to also give generously (Ro 12:8). We don’t give just to ease a troubled conscience, but we give as we fell led of the Lord to give.
2 We are also to give in humility and not in order to be acknowledged Jesus showed us in Matthew 6:3-4 how to give in order that we would receive an even greater reward. The Lord Speaks here of humility, of giving that is free from pride, free from the desire of man’s praise. Giving as unto the Lord is the kind of giving that he rewards. Some of our reward may come here on earth. But our greatest reward will be given to us when we stand before the Lord on the day he says thank you for all we have done for him (Mt 25:34-40). This kind of giving suggests that even if you do something for someone who is ungrateful, or who wouldn’t repay you with a word of thanks, it does not matter. The Lord, who sees everything remembers and counts your kindness as being done for him. In view of our eternal rewards, serving and giving cheerfully, generously and humbly comes easier, and the Lord will help us if it seems a bit hard at times. He will give us the grace us the grace and strength that we need to truly worship him in this way.
2. Offertory/Special Times of Giving
The Scriptural pattern for financing projects in the Old Testament, whether it was building a Temple, alleviating the hardships of others or supporting the priests, was through tithes and offerings. The Old Testament shows that the Israelites not only gave tithes, but also Free will thanks offerings. As the name suggests, these are voluntary gifts given at any particular time by an individual in response to an appeal to finance some project or for the ongoing day-today expenses of the Church. An unparalleled example of a free will offering is recorded for us in exodus 35:35-36:7. For the construction of the Tabernacle, the Israelites brought free will offering morning after morning and they brought so much that they had to be restrained from bringing more because what they had brought was more than enough for the work. Thus in addition to the tithe, the free will offerings from a significant part of giving in the Old Testament. What is left out today in many sermons based on Malachi 3:8-10, is the mention of free will offerings which the Prophet also spoke about in the same passage.
The second example of giving to fiancé a project is found in I Chronicles 29:1-9. David knew that his people must have a share in the cost of the temple, so he asked the leaders of the nation to contribute, and they did so willingly. David had first set the example in giving, and he reminded the people that they were giving to the Lord (29:1-6). Their giving was an act of worship (29:5b), and they gave generously.
In the light of the above, there should be more incidents of praise and thanksgiving to God for opportunities to give, that what prevails in many congregations today. Often we hear people give thanks to God for healing, a job, etc., but never for the opportunity to give towards the Lord’s work or to someone in need.
3. The quality of the message from the pulpit
In John 4:23-24, Jesus taught that acceptable worship was to be done not only in spirit (in the heart), but also in truth. He went on to expand this by telling the woman that the Jews worshipped what they knew, the reason being that God had revealed himself to the Jews. The Samaritans worshipped what they did not know, because they had not received God’s truth. Therefore, to truly worship God, to truly submit on him in all things, we need to learn more about him. Ready the Scriptures, being instructed in the faith and meditating on the truth of God so received is therefore very important. It is impossible to worship God truly without really knowing him. Any such worship is not true worship because it is not according to the truth God has revealed about himself.
In our last study we saw that, the sermon is central in the worship service. It is God’s message to the people. The other elements of worship are God-directed; this element is man-directed. Both the preacher and church members need to understand that because it is the Word of God, it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16). A sermon that is not more than a series of stories and illustrations is not worth the effort or time of minister or people.
The sermon must therefore be well prepared. Good preparation requires discipline of time and hard work. It is helpful to write most sermons out. This does not mean that they should be read in delivery but it does mean that (a) you know what you are going to say, (b) have thought it through, (c) have the timing in control, (d) have chosen the words carefully and (e) can check that it meets the essential requirements of a sermon. This is because the results of sermon preparation and delivery have eternal implications.
We should therefore give the Sermon an important place in the worship service. For without hearing God speak through his Word to us, worship is not complete since God communicates his truths to the worshipper through his Word. However, the sermon must be proclaimed in a way that would help the worshippers to relate God’s Word to their own lives and respond appropriately to him. In the words of John Stott,
God must speak to us before we have any liberty to speak to him, he must to us who he is before we can offer him what we are in acceptable worship, the worship of god is always a response to the Word of God. scripture wonderfully directs and enriches our worship.
Therefore, we must provide a distinctive and visible place in the worship service to enable worshippers to respond to God as he speaks to us through the Word preached and studied.
4. The management of TIME in our Worship
To prevent our worship from being mechanical or overly time conscious but being in tune with the Holy Spirit, our worship service must be thoroughly planned. This means the minister preacher has thought and prayed through regarding the purpose of the service and assigned a time frame for each of the elements that make up the worship and yet be able to control things to also allow for freedom in worship. He will also have communicated the order of the service and special instructions to all the participants.
GENERAL CONCLUSION – Practising Worship
The tour guide had just completed his talk, explaining to the visitors the various places of interest they could visit. Have you been to all these interesting places?, est, he said. I know about them but I have never been to any of them.
Knowing how to do something and doing it are not always the same. Skill comes through practice. No one can learn to play the guitar without also practicing on it. And no one can learn to worship without also worshipping. The purpose of these two lessons (last week and this week) on worship is not to tell you how you must worship, but to share what other believers have learned about worship and to encourage you to put into practice what you are learning; you will in turn help others too. As we end these two studies let us draw our attention to the following:
Recognize way to improve your own devotional and worship time.
When did the worshipers in the Bible seek God? Daniel prayed three times a day. David sought the Lord, morning and evening. I Chronicles 16:11 give the indication that we are to worship him continually. Our worship is continuous when we are totally committed to him. There should, however, a special time each day when we can have close and personal communion with the Lord.
Many people face situations that make it difficult to find a time and place to be alone, but they make a way. A married couple gts up an hour before their family does so they can have their private devotion; a working man walks to a park during his lunch break so he can be alone. Whatever your circumstance, the Lord can help you set aside a time for fellowship with him. During this time you will want to worship. When worshiping you get to know the Lord in a more personal sense. I know you will find this “hour” with the Lord becoming more valuable as the months go by. If you have experiences you would like to share with your group, please feel free to do so.
Join other Christians to Worship the Lord (Heb 10:25).
It is just as important for believers today to get together as it was for the early Christians. One reason for united worship is that the presence of the Lord is with those who gather in his Name. Jesus said, Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Mt 18:20). There is strength in unity (Ecc 4:12). The strength of unity applies to spiritual things as well. We live in a sinful world and we need each other. If I come to church discouraged and hear others praising God, it helps me to forget about my problems and praise God too. Someone else may tell what the Lord has done for him and it would be exactly what I turn to minister to someone else. Little wonder that God’s Word encourages us to get together for fellowship. God bless you as you seek to worship in private and in public!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. (a) Using the lessons and guidelines given in last week’s and today lesson, prepare an order of service for a Sunday morning meeting. What would you include and why?
(b) Compare your list with what is practiced in your local church. Are they different? What suggestions can you make to improve on the worship service in you local church?
2. In most churches, the morning worship service is scheduled to last for about two to three hours, what portion of the time would you allow for the various elements identified in question I (a) and why?
3. How can we make our offertory and special appeals for funds to finance various church programmes an act of worship?
4. Assess the relevance of the messages you hear preached in your local church. a. Do they meet the real needs of the members of the congregation?
b. Are there any suggestions you can make to improve this important aspect of the worship experience?
5. From what you have learnt on worship so far what name would you suggest for the portion of time sometimes called ‘Praise and worship’? Why?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
Worship involves offering ourselves, all that we are and all that we have. It means giving of our money, time and our abilities. This week look into your church fellowship or study group, is there someone you can worship the Lord through ministering to that person’s need? God bless you as you worship him through this avenue.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Exodus 25:1-9 Freewill Offering
Tuesday Deuteronomy 16:9-17 Give as the Lord has Blessed You
Wednesday Matthew 6:1-4 Give Without Boasting
Thursday 2 Corinthians 9:7-15 Give Cheerfully
Friday 2 Timothy 3:10-16 Equipped for Every Good Work
Saturday 2 Peter 1:19-21 Pay attention to the Word.
As you celebrate Passion Week which includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, meditate on what the Lord has done for you in Christ Jesus. May he bless your worship during this period.
Monday, March 23, 2009
09WK13 EXPERIENCING GROWTH THROUGH WORSHIP -1
EXPERIENCEING GROWTH THROUGH WORSHIP-1
KEY VERSE: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
SCRIPTURE READING- Psalm 95:1-8A
Psalm 95: 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God, the great king above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us keel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as you did at meribah, as you did that day at massah.
INTRODUCTION: What is Worship?
Worship is the dramatic celebration of God in his supreme worth in such a manner that his worthiness becomes the norm and inspiration of human living. It is the adoring contemplation of God as he has made himself known in the Lord Jesus Christ and his word. Both Old and New Testament primary terms for worship has the underlying meaning, to bow down in homage. Both give images of bowing down toward… of looking toward the object of worship and overcome by wonder at his person and attributes, expressing our awe and praise I our posture.
In worship, therefore our concentration and attention should focus on the Lord Himself. Indeed when we worship, we take our eyes from ourselves, needs, and even the answers we have already received. We concentrate only on the Lord, on his unchanging and eternal qualities- his power, love, faithfulness, etc. For in worship, we offer ourselves to him (cf. Ro. 12;1-2). We worship God because worship, truly and rightly belongs to him. He alone deserves worship!
However, Worship is also a dialogue in which God and his people speak with one another. We listen as God speaks to us in scripture, as the word is preached. And we speak to him as we pray and sing.
When we gather for worship we desire to discern God’s will so that we may carry it out in daily life. To worship is to acknowledge God’s worth in acts of praise as well as in daily life; through worship we draw closer to God and find enrichment.
The purpose of this study is to discuss the basic elements of the worship service and their use. Each of them has a specific and important function. Knowledge of them will enable us to use them appropriately in the worship service to enhance our worship and personal growth.
WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP?
The essence of worship is that, it glorifies God and edifies the worshippers. This statement implies a deep and intimate communion between God and man. Jesus described it in His encounter with the Samaritan woman. He said… a time is coming, and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit; and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23-24).
This is the highest level of worship. It is experienced when the Spirit of God touches the spirit of man and the Word of God is studied and obeyed. The worship experience of the early Christians in Jerusalem was deep and lasting. It was based on a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and the experience of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:1-4,41-47). The Holy Spirit was present, he made their worship meaningful. They also gave themselves to the Word of God (Ac 2:42). It was worship in spirit and truth. True worship should always have these characteristics. When Christians worship on this level, there is simplicity, unity and growth.
II WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP?
There are no clear instructions in scripture for the leading of worship, nor is there an agreed formula for all churches. However there are a number of concerns which are important in worship:
Call to Worship
The purpose of the call to worship is to focus the attention of the worshiper on God and ask his blessing on the service. Scripture passage like Psalm 95:
May be used: come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the lord our Maker; For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Sometimes the call to worship is sung by the choir. It is also appropriate for the minister to offer a prayer of invocation as part of the call to worship. This prayer is a request for God to bless the service with his presence. These three aspect are used separately or together. Whichever is used, the call to worship should always be brief, well planned, and to the point.
Music
Hymns and Choruses play an important role as an aid to worship, by putting us in the right frame of mind and heart. It prepares and adjusts our minds and spirits in our approach to God.
Generally, music can influence the way we feel, work on our emotions and even change the way we act, In the New Testament we are commanded to sing unto the Lord (Eph.5: 19; Col. 3:16,17). God wants us to praise him in song because he is worthy of our praise and worship and because singing lifts us up spiritually if properly used. The purpose of music in worship therefore is not to make a background noise or rest from a sustained time of prayer nor simply to wake us up when we feel sleepy in a church service. Rather it is:
To prepare the people to receive the Word of God and
To give them opportunity for expressions of worship.
In worship then, it is important that we understand the type of song being sang so that we can lock into the meaning and feel of it. For in worship we sing not just to enjoy the melody but to commune with our Lord. Too often however, we miss this avenue of worship because while some of us feel that our voices lack quality (abokyi voice) and so do not like singing very much, others feel they have to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and joyful noise they really make! But songs of worship are not just joyful noises. They are the worshippers songs of praise, adoration and deep communion with the Lord – their love song to him. Yes, in worship, we sing first to and for God. Thus
§ The hymns must be well chosen so that they build the theme of the service and enhance each of the different parts of the worship service, through both the meaning and feel of the hymns and choruses.
§ The song leader needs to be skilled in directing congregational singing so that he/she does not distract from the worship atmosphere.
MINISTRY OF THE WORD (READING OF SCRIPTURE AND SERMON)
The public reading of the Scripture is an important part of the worship service and must be done well as it prepares the way for the sermon delivery. The sermon is central in the worship service. It is God’s message to His people. The other elements of worship are God-directed; this element is man-directed. Both the preacher and church members need to understand that because it is the Word of God, it is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16).
Unfortunately, there are hose who come to church with interest mainly on the sermon; others come with interest in the singing and dancing, such that once we finish with these, they do not really participate in the rest of the service. However, it is important to give equal attention to both the singing and dancing and the bible Study and Sermon for all these are an interregnal part of the worship service. Sound Biblical instruction leads to good worship and good singing and dancing helps us to bring our whole being into worshipping the Lord None can stand alone; they belong to each other!
E. SILENCE IN WORSHIP
It is true that the bible calls us to respond to God in worship with a variety of responses – wholehearted clapping, singing dancing, etc. But it also presents an aspect of corporate worship we very often miss – the aspect of silence. Be still and know that I am God (Psa. 46:10). Often we find it difficult to be silent and tend to fill every space in the worship service with something other than silence. For example, the organist/instrumentalists continues to play in the background even whilst praying is going on. Sometimes one wonders whether the instrumentalists/organist do not have anything to say to God or to thank and praise him for, for they are often playing or singing whilst others are praying, interceding or thanking God. The silence of worship is equally important and valuable in the worship service. Sadly, many of us love to hear our own voices rather than that of God. Or are we afraid of what he might say to us or require of us and so hate to be silent and listen to him?
F. Worship and Obedience
Worship is never an end in itself, it should be related to other aspects of our lives. What leads on from true congregation or personal is lifestyle worship expressed in loving obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. Holy obedience saves worship from becoming a mere formality; an escape from the pressing needs of modern life (1 Co. 10:13; C 3:17; Ro 12:1). True worship must motivate us to live for God in daily living beyond the Sunday service. It should also motivate us to share the love of Jesus just as we have experienced in worship; worship must lead to holiness and service in mission (1 Ch. 16:8-9).
The greatest and most lasting joy of worship is that we get to know our loving Heavenly Father better. We can feel God’s presence in a special way when we keep his commandments. In fact, when we keep God’s commandments we live in union with him and he with us (1 Jn. 3:24). As we get to know the lord better we trust him more. We know that his faithfulness will never fail. We know that he has a plan for our lives and we can rest in the fact that he has everything under control. How wonderful to have the assurance that our future is in his hands here on earth and throughout all eternity (Ps 139:7-18).
G. Worship as a tool for evangelization
I Corinthians 14:22-25 shows that our worship services can be a major means of winning souls for Christ. The point here is that, when outsiders come to a Christian meeting, what will lead to their conversion is not necessarily seeing miraculous signs in action in the church but a presentation of the Gospel in words the visitor can understand. The same goes for our worship services. It is not the so called worship time with lots of singing and dancing that would bring about the conversion of an unbeliever but the whole worship atmosphere. Our worship services should be such that they edify the faithful and convince, affect, and convert unbelievers. The worship service is not intended to provide a platform for the display of spiritual gifts and abilities, but to save unbelievers and instruct and edify the saints.
H. Altar Call (reaching out to new comers and unbelievers)
Read Isaiah 6:1-8.
Identify the words or phrases that suggest the following aspects of worship:
(i) Praise and Adoration (ii) Renewal (iii) Confession (iv) Dedication or Commitment. Explain each one of them
2a. Identify the basic elements of the worship service and discuss their purposes.
b. Suggest how these could be improved to better the worship service of your local church.
3. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, a time is coming… when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23-24). What does it mean to worship the Father in spirit and in truth?
4. Worship is never an end in itself unrelated to other aspects of our lives. What leads on from congregational or personal worship is a lifestyle worship expressed in loving obedience. Discuss.
5. How can we use our worship services to bring unbelievers to Christ?
6. How can your church arrange the Announcements, Introductions of New Comer/Visitors and Renewal of Fellowship such that they follow after the spirit of your service?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
As you join other Christians in worship during the week, remember and apply the following exhortation by John Wesley: Sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than your self, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually, so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
DAILY BIBLE READING
Monday John 4:19-26 The essence of worship
Tuesday Isaiah 6:1-8 Aspects of worship I
Wednesday 1 Timothy 2:1-10 Aspects of worship II
Thursday Psalm 100 The value of Music/Singing in worship
Friday 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Public Reading of Scripture/Preaching in worship
Saturday 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 Orderliness in worship
KEY VERSE: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
SCRIPTURE READING- Psalm 95:1-8A
Psalm 95: 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God, the great king above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us keel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as you did at meribah, as you did that day at massah.
INTRODUCTION: What is Worship?
Worship is the dramatic celebration of God in his supreme worth in such a manner that his worthiness becomes the norm and inspiration of human living. It is the adoring contemplation of God as he has made himself known in the Lord Jesus Christ and his word. Both Old and New Testament primary terms for worship has the underlying meaning, to bow down in homage. Both give images of bowing down toward… of looking toward the object of worship and overcome by wonder at his person and attributes, expressing our awe and praise I our posture.
In worship, therefore our concentration and attention should focus on the Lord Himself. Indeed when we worship, we take our eyes from ourselves, needs, and even the answers we have already received. We concentrate only on the Lord, on his unchanging and eternal qualities- his power, love, faithfulness, etc. For in worship, we offer ourselves to him (cf. Ro. 12;1-2). We worship God because worship, truly and rightly belongs to him. He alone deserves worship!
However, Worship is also a dialogue in which God and his people speak with one another. We listen as God speaks to us in scripture, as the word is preached. And we speak to him as we pray and sing.
When we gather for worship we desire to discern God’s will so that we may carry it out in daily life. To worship is to acknowledge God’s worth in acts of praise as well as in daily life; through worship we draw closer to God and find enrichment.
The purpose of this study is to discuss the basic elements of the worship service and their use. Each of them has a specific and important function. Knowledge of them will enable us to use them appropriately in the worship service to enhance our worship and personal growth.
WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP?
The essence of worship is that, it glorifies God and edifies the worshippers. This statement implies a deep and intimate communion between God and man. Jesus described it in His encounter with the Samaritan woman. He said… a time is coming, and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit; and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23-24).
This is the highest level of worship. It is experienced when the Spirit of God touches the spirit of man and the Word of God is studied and obeyed. The worship experience of the early Christians in Jerusalem was deep and lasting. It was based on a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and the experience of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:1-4,41-47). The Holy Spirit was present, he made their worship meaningful. They also gave themselves to the Word of God (Ac 2:42). It was worship in spirit and truth. True worship should always have these characteristics. When Christians worship on this level, there is simplicity, unity and growth.
II WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP?
There are no clear instructions in scripture for the leading of worship, nor is there an agreed formula for all churches. However there are a number of concerns which are important in worship:
Call to Worship
The purpose of the call to worship is to focus the attention of the worshiper on God and ask his blessing on the service. Scripture passage like Psalm 95:
May be used: come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the lord our Maker; For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Sometimes the call to worship is sung by the choir. It is also appropriate for the minister to offer a prayer of invocation as part of the call to worship. This prayer is a request for God to bless the service with his presence. These three aspect are used separately or together. Whichever is used, the call to worship should always be brief, well planned, and to the point.
Music
Hymns and Choruses play an important role as an aid to worship, by putting us in the right frame of mind and heart. It prepares and adjusts our minds and spirits in our approach to God.
Generally, music can influence the way we feel, work on our emotions and even change the way we act, In the New Testament we are commanded to sing unto the Lord (Eph.5: 19; Col. 3:16,17). God wants us to praise him in song because he is worthy of our praise and worship and because singing lifts us up spiritually if properly used. The purpose of music in worship therefore is not to make a background noise or rest from a sustained time of prayer nor simply to wake us up when we feel sleepy in a church service. Rather it is:
To prepare the people to receive the Word of God and
To give them opportunity for expressions of worship.
In worship then, it is important that we understand the type of song being sang so that we can lock into the meaning and feel of it. For in worship we sing not just to enjoy the melody but to commune with our Lord. Too often however, we miss this avenue of worship because while some of us feel that our voices lack quality (abokyi voice) and so do not like singing very much, others feel they have to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and joyful noise they really make! But songs of worship are not just joyful noises. They are the worshippers songs of praise, adoration and deep communion with the Lord – their love song to him. Yes, in worship, we sing first to and for God. Thus
§ The hymns must be well chosen so that they build the theme of the service and enhance each of the different parts of the worship service, through both the meaning and feel of the hymns and choruses.
§ The song leader needs to be skilled in directing congregational singing so that he/she does not distract from the worship atmosphere.
MINISTRY OF THE WORD (READING OF SCRIPTURE AND SERMON)
The public reading of the Scripture is an important part of the worship service and must be done well as it prepares the way for the sermon delivery. The sermon is central in the worship service. It is God’s message to His people. The other elements of worship are God-directed; this element is man-directed. Both the preacher and church members need to understand that because it is the Word of God, it is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16).
Unfortunately, there are hose who come to church with interest mainly on the sermon; others come with interest in the singing and dancing, such that once we finish with these, they do not really participate in the rest of the service. However, it is important to give equal attention to both the singing and dancing and the bible Study and Sermon for all these are an interregnal part of the worship service. Sound Biblical instruction leads to good worship and good singing and dancing helps us to bring our whole being into worshipping the Lord None can stand alone; they belong to each other!
E. SILENCE IN WORSHIP
It is true that the bible calls us to respond to God in worship with a variety of responses – wholehearted clapping, singing dancing, etc. But it also presents an aspect of corporate worship we very often miss – the aspect of silence. Be still and know that I am God (Psa. 46:10). Often we find it difficult to be silent and tend to fill every space in the worship service with something other than silence. For example, the organist/instrumentalists continues to play in the background even whilst praying is going on. Sometimes one wonders whether the instrumentalists/organist do not have anything to say to God or to thank and praise him for, for they are often playing or singing whilst others are praying, interceding or thanking God. The silence of worship is equally important and valuable in the worship service. Sadly, many of us love to hear our own voices rather than that of God. Or are we afraid of what he might say to us or require of us and so hate to be silent and listen to him?
F. Worship and Obedience
Worship is never an end in itself, it should be related to other aspects of our lives. What leads on from true congregation or personal is lifestyle worship expressed in loving obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. Holy obedience saves worship from becoming a mere formality; an escape from the pressing needs of modern life (1 Co. 10:13; C 3:17; Ro 12:1). True worship must motivate us to live for God in daily living beyond the Sunday service. It should also motivate us to share the love of Jesus just as we have experienced in worship; worship must lead to holiness and service in mission (1 Ch. 16:8-9).
The greatest and most lasting joy of worship is that we get to know our loving Heavenly Father better. We can feel God’s presence in a special way when we keep his commandments. In fact, when we keep God’s commandments we live in union with him and he with us (1 Jn. 3:24). As we get to know the lord better we trust him more. We know that his faithfulness will never fail. We know that he has a plan for our lives and we can rest in the fact that he has everything under control. How wonderful to have the assurance that our future is in his hands here on earth and throughout all eternity (Ps 139:7-18).
G. Worship as a tool for evangelization
I Corinthians 14:22-25 shows that our worship services can be a major means of winning souls for Christ. The point here is that, when outsiders come to a Christian meeting, what will lead to their conversion is not necessarily seeing miraculous signs in action in the church but a presentation of the Gospel in words the visitor can understand. The same goes for our worship services. It is not the so called worship time with lots of singing and dancing that would bring about the conversion of an unbeliever but the whole worship atmosphere. Our worship services should be such that they edify the faithful and convince, affect, and convert unbelievers. The worship service is not intended to provide a platform for the display of spiritual gifts and abilities, but to save unbelievers and instruct and edify the saints.
H. Altar Call (reaching out to new comers and unbelievers)
Read Isaiah 6:1-8.
Identify the words or phrases that suggest the following aspects of worship:
(i) Praise and Adoration (ii) Renewal (iii) Confession (iv) Dedication or Commitment. Explain each one of them
2a. Identify the basic elements of the worship service and discuss their purposes.
b. Suggest how these could be improved to better the worship service of your local church.
3. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, a time is coming… when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23-24). What does it mean to worship the Father in spirit and in truth?
4. Worship is never an end in itself unrelated to other aspects of our lives. What leads on from congregational or personal worship is a lifestyle worship expressed in loving obedience. Discuss.
5. How can we use our worship services to bring unbelievers to Christ?
6. How can your church arrange the Announcements, Introductions of New Comer/Visitors and Renewal of Fellowship such that they follow after the spirit of your service?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
As you join other Christians in worship during the week, remember and apply the following exhortation by John Wesley: Sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than your self, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually, so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
DAILY BIBLE READING
Monday John 4:19-26 The essence of worship
Tuesday Isaiah 6:1-8 Aspects of worship I
Wednesday 1 Timothy 2:1-10 Aspects of worship II
Thursday Psalm 100 The value of Music/Singing in worship
Friday 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Public Reading of Scripture/Preaching in worship
Saturday 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 Orderliness in worship
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
FASTING, WHAT IS IT?
Christian Fasting - What is it?
What is Christian fasting? Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life.
Christian Fasting - Focus Deeper on GodChristian fasting isn't some kind of a "work" that's commanded by Christ or required by Scripture. However, that doesn't mean that fasting isn't recommended as a part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. However, the purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and instead focus on God.
Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body.
Fasting is not intended to punish our flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a "dieting method" either. We shouldn't fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God. Even unplugging the television for a period of time can be an effective fast. Yes, it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended.
The primary Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).
Christian Fasting - A Lifestyle of Servant LivingChristian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others. "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9).
SOURCE: allaboutgod.com
What is Christian fasting? Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life.
Christian Fasting - Focus Deeper on GodChristian fasting isn't some kind of a "work" that's commanded by Christ or required by Scripture. However, that doesn't mean that fasting isn't recommended as a part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. However, the purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and instead focus on God.
Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body.
Fasting is not intended to punish our flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a "dieting method" either. We shouldn't fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God. Even unplugging the television for a period of time can be an effective fast. Yes, it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended.
The primary Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).
Christian Fasting - A Lifestyle of Servant LivingChristian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others. "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9).
SOURCE: allaboutgod.com
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
09WK12 - WORSHIP LIFE OF DAVID -II
WORSHIP LIFE OF DAVID-II
KEY VERSE: Praise the Lord God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. PSALM 150: 1
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 150: 1-6
PSALM 150:1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him, for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord..
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we looked at how David’s life was consumed by the desire to worship God in his sanctuary. For David, worship was a sacrifice of praise, a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:2). God was delighted in the worship that went on in the Tent of Meeting or sanctuary erected by David and commended it in the words of the prophet (Amos 9:12) thus;
After this, I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who bear my name….’ (Ac 15:16-18 NIV)
‘ After this I will return and will build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up’ (Ac 15:16 NKJV)
David’s Tent of Meeting was not the only sanctuary in Old Testament times. Moses built the first tabernacle, and Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. Zerubabbel led the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple and Herod also built a temple during the time of Jesus.
Why was God so delighted in the ‘tent of David’? What kind of worship went on in the tent and how did David contributed to the worship? How can we restore this kind of worship and what can we learn from David?
EXPOSITION
5. David developed his talents for worship in the sanctuary David learnt to
play musical instruments while he was young. He played the harp, which brought relief to King Saul when the latter was troubled by an evil spirit (Isa. 16:18-23). David thus learnt to appreciate the role of music in worship. David wrote about half of the psalms which even today contribute greatly to worship in the sanctuary. David was a man who surrendered his talents to the Lord.
6. David’s concern was to house the Ark.
When David became King he made three strategic moves all of which ensured that the Ark was given a permanent abode. He conquered Jerusalem, developed it as the capital and defeated the philistines. These paved the way for him to bring the Ark to its tent in Jerusalem, an occasion which brought great rejoicing to him and the people (2Sa 5&6).
7. David made arrangements which enriched the worship in the sanctuary.
David made elaborate arrangements for the Levites to improve the quality of worship I the Tent of Meeting ( I Ch. 25:1, 6-7) 38,000 Levites were assigned various services in the temple, and of these, 4000 were to praise the Lord with the musical instruments David had provided for that purpose ( 1Ch 25:6). This is part of the instruction that was given to the Levites for worship in the sanctuary:
They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord of Sabbaths and at New Moon festivals and at appointed feasts… and so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting” (1Ch 23:30-32). You can therefore imagine the quality of the singing, the praises and worship generally, that went on at the Tent of Meeting erected by David.
8. David gave his substances for the building of Solomon’s Temple
King David’s ultimate vision was to build an elaborate temple for the worship of the Lord. He told the prophet Nathan; “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the Ark of God remains in a tent”(2 Sa 7:2). Even though God instructed David not to build the temple, he made all the necessary preparations for the building of the Temple. He told the people, ‘with all my resources I have provided for the Temple of my God-gold… silver… bronze… iron… wood… Besides in my devotion to the Temple of my God, I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the Temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple’ (1 Ch. 29:1-2). David’s whole-hearted giving for the Temple should challenge us on how we give for the Lord’s work and especially to building chapels for less endowed societies. We should also contribute generously towards the purchase of modern equipment that enhance the quality of worship in these chapels.
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
You enter the house of God for worship. When you leave the chapel after the service, what makes you long to be back in the chapel. One of the signs of growth of a church is that, there is eventful worship. What is the nature of the services in your church? Author Tommy Tenney has written a number of books on worship, one of which is entitled,’ God’s Favorites House, If You Build It He Will Come.
He writes, ‘If God ever became “ homesick “ for any of the houses of worship on earth, which ones would they include? What events would provoke the eternal mind of God to consider a particular Church His favorite? Why would God feel homesick about David’s Tent of Meeting and not the elaborate Solomon’s Temple or any of the other Temples? Tommy Tenney therefore writes, “With our landscape littered with multimillion-dollar steeples piercing into God’s blue atmosphere and stained windows shimmering with His sunshine, we might imagine that God’s choice would be elaborate.”
William Barclay commenting on Jesus clearing the temple, described irreverent worship as follows;
“Worship without reverence can be a terrible thing. It ma be worship which is formalized and pushed through anyhow: the most dignified prayers on earth can be, read like a passage from an auctioneer’s catalogue. It may be worship in which leader or congregation are completely unprepared. It may be the use of the house of God for purposes and in a way where reverence and the true function of God’s house are forgotten.”
Remember, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore it is not how elaborate your chapel is that attracts God into your worship, but the worshipper’s preparedness to meet with God in His house. Are you a worship leader-singing in the choir, singing band or other singing group – a preacher, usher, announcer, or one who has some other things to do in the worship service? What do you do, before, during and after the service to ensure that there is eventful worship in which there is encounter between God and the Worshippers. Are your worship services eventful?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
6. What do you consider to be a Spirit-filled worship service and how can this be achieved?
7. What do you consider to be the role of (a) worship leaders (b) worshippers house?
8. David’s whole life may be said to have concentrated on ensuring spirit filled worship of God. He learnt to play musical instruments and invested in them to enrich worship and also wrote a large number of psalms, all of which took place under a tent. What can we learn from David?
9. We always seem to have problems with those who are involved in the music ministry in our churches. What do you consider to be the cause of this and how can it be remedied?
10. David contributed significantly to the building of Solomon’s temple and he did so willingly. How can we contribute to the quality of worship by investing in the building of chapels and the purchase of musical instruments for less-endowed congregations?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
1. As you get ready for worship services on the Lord’s Day, prepare your mind and heart for a personal encounter with God.
2. If you are part of the worship leading team –chorister, singing band member, other singing group member, preacher, announcer, usher, etc. You will need to prepare yourself spiritually to be used by the Holy Spirit for eventful worship.
3. Share your experiences about your involvement in such services with members of your class.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday I Chronicles 25:1,6-8 Exalt the Lord with Music
Tuesday I Kings 16:19-23 David Plays his harp in Saul’s House
Wednesday psalm 66:1-5 Praise the Lord with the Harp
Thursday Psalm 9:1-6 Tell of All His Wonders
Friday Psalm 9:7-11 Sing Praises to His Name
Saturday Psalm 67:1-7 Let All Nations Praise His Name
KEY VERSE: Praise the Lord God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. PSALM 150: 1
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 150: 1-6
PSALM 150:1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him, for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord..
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we looked at how David’s life was consumed by the desire to worship God in his sanctuary. For David, worship was a sacrifice of praise, a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:2). God was delighted in the worship that went on in the Tent of Meeting or sanctuary erected by David and commended it in the words of the prophet (Amos 9:12) thus;
After this, I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who bear my name….’ (Ac 15:16-18 NIV)
‘ After this I will return and will build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up’ (Ac 15:16 NKJV)
David’s Tent of Meeting was not the only sanctuary in Old Testament times. Moses built the first tabernacle, and Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. Zerubabbel led the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple and Herod also built a temple during the time of Jesus.
Why was God so delighted in the ‘tent of David’? What kind of worship went on in the tent and how did David contributed to the worship? How can we restore this kind of worship and what can we learn from David?
EXPOSITION
5. David developed his talents for worship in the sanctuary David learnt to
play musical instruments while he was young. He played the harp, which brought relief to King Saul when the latter was troubled by an evil spirit (Isa. 16:18-23). David thus learnt to appreciate the role of music in worship. David wrote about half of the psalms which even today contribute greatly to worship in the sanctuary. David was a man who surrendered his talents to the Lord.
6. David’s concern was to house the Ark.
When David became King he made three strategic moves all of which ensured that the Ark was given a permanent abode. He conquered Jerusalem, developed it as the capital and defeated the philistines. These paved the way for him to bring the Ark to its tent in Jerusalem, an occasion which brought great rejoicing to him and the people (2Sa 5&6).
7. David made arrangements which enriched the worship in the sanctuary.
David made elaborate arrangements for the Levites to improve the quality of worship I the Tent of Meeting ( I Ch. 25:1, 6-7) 38,000 Levites were assigned various services in the temple, and of these, 4000 were to praise the Lord with the musical instruments David had provided for that purpose ( 1Ch 25:6). This is part of the instruction that was given to the Levites for worship in the sanctuary:
They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord of Sabbaths and at New Moon festivals and at appointed feasts… and so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting” (1Ch 23:30-32). You can therefore imagine the quality of the singing, the praises and worship generally, that went on at the Tent of Meeting erected by David.
8. David gave his substances for the building of Solomon’s Temple
King David’s ultimate vision was to build an elaborate temple for the worship of the Lord. He told the prophet Nathan; “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the Ark of God remains in a tent”(2 Sa 7:2). Even though God instructed David not to build the temple, he made all the necessary preparations for the building of the Temple. He told the people, ‘with all my resources I have provided for the Temple of my God-gold… silver… bronze… iron… wood… Besides in my devotion to the Temple of my God, I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the Temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple’ (1 Ch. 29:1-2). David’s whole-hearted giving for the Temple should challenge us on how we give for the Lord’s work and especially to building chapels for less endowed societies. We should also contribute generously towards the purchase of modern equipment that enhance the quality of worship in these chapels.
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
You enter the house of God for worship. When you leave the chapel after the service, what makes you long to be back in the chapel. One of the signs of growth of a church is that, there is eventful worship. What is the nature of the services in your church? Author Tommy Tenney has written a number of books on worship, one of which is entitled,’ God’s Favorites House, If You Build It He Will Come.
He writes, ‘If God ever became “ homesick “ for any of the houses of worship on earth, which ones would they include? What events would provoke the eternal mind of God to consider a particular Church His favorite? Why would God feel homesick about David’s Tent of Meeting and not the elaborate Solomon’s Temple or any of the other Temples? Tommy Tenney therefore writes, “With our landscape littered with multimillion-dollar steeples piercing into God’s blue atmosphere and stained windows shimmering with His sunshine, we might imagine that God’s choice would be elaborate.”
William Barclay commenting on Jesus clearing the temple, described irreverent worship as follows;
“Worship without reverence can be a terrible thing. It ma be worship which is formalized and pushed through anyhow: the most dignified prayers on earth can be, read like a passage from an auctioneer’s catalogue. It may be worship in which leader or congregation are completely unprepared. It may be the use of the house of God for purposes and in a way where reverence and the true function of God’s house are forgotten.”
Remember, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore it is not how elaborate your chapel is that attracts God into your worship, but the worshipper’s preparedness to meet with God in His house. Are you a worship leader-singing in the choir, singing band or other singing group – a preacher, usher, announcer, or one who has some other things to do in the worship service? What do you do, before, during and after the service to ensure that there is eventful worship in which there is encounter between God and the Worshippers. Are your worship services eventful?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
6. What do you consider to be a Spirit-filled worship service and how can this be achieved?
7. What do you consider to be the role of (a) worship leaders (b) worshippers house?
8. David’s whole life may be said to have concentrated on ensuring spirit filled worship of God. He learnt to play musical instruments and invested in them to enrich worship and also wrote a large number of psalms, all of which took place under a tent. What can we learn from David?
9. We always seem to have problems with those who are involved in the music ministry in our churches. What do you consider to be the cause of this and how can it be remedied?
10. David contributed significantly to the building of Solomon’s temple and he did so willingly. How can we contribute to the quality of worship by investing in the building of chapels and the purchase of musical instruments for less-endowed congregations?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
1. As you get ready for worship services on the Lord’s Day, prepare your mind and heart for a personal encounter with God.
2. If you are part of the worship leading team –chorister, singing band member, other singing group member, preacher, announcer, usher, etc. You will need to prepare yourself spiritually to be used by the Holy Spirit for eventful worship.
3. Share your experiences about your involvement in such services with members of your class.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday I Chronicles 25:1,6-8 Exalt the Lord with Music
Tuesday I Kings 16:19-23 David Plays his harp in Saul’s House
Wednesday psalm 66:1-5 Praise the Lord with the Harp
Thursday Psalm 9:1-6 Tell of All His Wonders
Friday Psalm 9:7-11 Sing Praises to His Name
Saturday Psalm 67:1-7 Let All Nations Praise His Name
Monday, March 9, 2009
09WK11- THE WORSHIP LIFE OF DAVID ...1
THE WORSHIP LIFE OF DAVID ----- I
KEY VERSE: My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! "Your face, LORD, I will seek PSALM 27:8
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 27:4-14
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! " Your face., LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 What for the LORD; be strong and take heart and waiting for the LORD.
INTRODUCTION
In our study last week, we saw how Jesus would not tolerate those who had turned the Temple into a place of commerce, instead of its right use as a place for prayer and the worship of God. The Bible exhorts use to meet regularly with other Christians for worship and exhortation (Heb. 10:22). However, as we saw in our study of nationalism in the July – Dec. 2008 edition of the WBL, some challenges facing the church are poor attendance and lateness to church services. Sometimes too, the singing, praying and other activities in the service are carried out with such lukewarm attitudes that it makes one wonder if there is any warmth in our relationship with God, the object of our worship.
William Bullock (1798-1874) wrote the hymn, ‘We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honour dwells… (MHB 677, KNN 677, CAN 225). This should reflect the right attitude with which we must worship God in our churches. For the average worshipper however, the lament of the hymnist, John Newton (1725-1807) in verse 5 of the popular hymn ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ears’ (MHB 99, KNN 99, CAN 225) applies:
‘Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’II praise Thee as I ought’
In contrast to the coldness of our worship, the study of the life of David and the Psalms which he wrote, reveals a man whose relationship with God was warm and reflected in his worship. What then can we learn from David to improve the quality of our worship as individuals and as congregations? This will be the focus of our study for the next two weeks.
EXPOSITION
David’s Passion for God and His Worship
In Psalm 27, David says his greatest desire in life is to be in the sanctuary and worship the Lord;
‘One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his Temple’ (Ps 27:4).
Zeal for your house has consumed me’
In Psalm 69:6-9, David says that what distinguishes him from others, including members of his own household is his zeal for the Lord’s house. He wrote; ‘I endure scorn for your sake and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons’. And the reason is that; ‘ zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.’ In the same way, Jesus could not bear the irreverent use of the Temple and so had to drive out the bad worshippers. When this happened, ‘his disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house has consumed me" (John 2:17).
‘ I would rather be a doorkeeper I the house of God…’
Psalm 84 was not penned by David, but it expresses the desire, which David had: to be in the Temple of God and to worship him
The following are extracts:
‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked’ (Ps 84 : 1-2,4).
David worshipped God from the depths of his heart
We go to church and participate in worship, but sometimes our hearts are not in what goes on; we pay lip service to God or are more concerned with a particular order instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way. In the following passages, David reveals the depth of his worshipful heart: ‘ Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits’ (Ps 103: 1-2). I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land’ (Ps 143: 6).
‘I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you’ (Ps 144: 9)
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
Michal frowns on David’s Liberty in worship (2 Samuel 6:-23)
In this passage, we see how David worshipped God in public, his wife’s resentment and the consequences of her attitude. The following issues stand out:
David worshipped with awe
In their first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, there was a celebration, but reverence was missing. Uzzah took things for granted and touched the Ark and so was struck dead by the Lord. Consequently, the first attempt was aborted. When the Ark was removed a second time, three months later, David ensured that there was reverence as well as rejoicing. When those who carried the Ark had taken six steps, a bull and a calf were sacrificed. In our rejoicing in the house of the Lord, we must ensure that there is decorum, that is behavior that is controlled, calm and polite.
David freely expressed himself in worship
King David ‘danced before the Lord with all his might. ‘He wore a linen – the symbol of his office as a priest-king, yet his nobility did not restrict him in dancing freely before the Lord, as any commoner would do.
Michal despised David in her heart
Michal is one of those who thing that it is degrading for people in high positions in society or in the church to freely express themselves in worship. There are worshippers who refuse to join in singing dancing, etc, and walk expressionless in bring their offering to the Lord. There are also those who frown on and accuse those who dance or express themselves freely as overdoing it or are unspiritual and would have not part in it .
Michal receives a curse rather than a blessing
After the Ark had been brought in, David ‘blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty’ (Verse 18). However, when David returned home to bless his household, it turned into arguments and insults between him and Michal over how he had danced in public before the Lord. According to the Chronicler, Michal’s barrenness can be attributed to her resentment of David’s free expression of worship. The attitude with which we enter the chapel with the Lord’s blessings or perhaps invite curses on ourselves as happened to Michal.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do you think that many of our members attend church services late? Is it a result of the generally poor attitude of the Ghanaian to time, referred to as ‘African punctuality’, or is it a reflection of our lack of zeal or enthusiasm about prayers and singing?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69;9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David?
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship services’ How has your attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing or soul worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69:9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship service’ How has you attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
c. Confess any of the above or other negative attitudes and seek the Holy Spirit’s help to worship God in spirit and truth from henceforth.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Psalm 95:1-8 Bow Down in Worship
Tuesday Psalm 96:1-9 Tremble Before the Lord
Wednesday Psalm 98:1-6 Sing a New Song to the Lord
Thursday Psalm 98:4-9 Shout Unto the Lord
Friday I Chronicles 29:10-13 David Praised the Lord
Saturday Psalm 66:1-6 God’s Awesomeness
KEY VERSE: My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! "Your face, LORD, I will seek PSALM 27:8
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 27:4-14
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! " Your face., LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 What for the LORD; be strong and take heart and waiting for the LORD.
INTRODUCTION
In our study last week, we saw how Jesus would not tolerate those who had turned the Temple into a place of commerce, instead of its right use as a place for prayer and the worship of God. The Bible exhorts use to meet regularly with other Christians for worship and exhortation (Heb. 10:22). However, as we saw in our study of nationalism in the July – Dec. 2008 edition of the WBL, some challenges facing the church are poor attendance and lateness to church services. Sometimes too, the singing, praying and other activities in the service are carried out with such lukewarm attitudes that it makes one wonder if there is any warmth in our relationship with God, the object of our worship.
William Bullock (1798-1874) wrote the hymn, ‘We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honour dwells… (MHB 677, KNN 677, CAN 225). This should reflect the right attitude with which we must worship God in our churches. For the average worshipper however, the lament of the hymnist, John Newton (1725-1807) in verse 5 of the popular hymn ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ears’ (MHB 99, KNN 99, CAN 225) applies:
‘Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’II praise Thee as I ought’
In contrast to the coldness of our worship, the study of the life of David and the Psalms which he wrote, reveals a man whose relationship with God was warm and reflected in his worship. What then can we learn from David to improve the quality of our worship as individuals and as congregations? This will be the focus of our study for the next two weeks.
EXPOSITION
David’s Passion for God and His Worship
In Psalm 27, David says his greatest desire in life is to be in the sanctuary and worship the Lord;
‘One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his Temple’ (Ps 27:4).
Zeal for your house has consumed me’
In Psalm 69:6-9, David says that what distinguishes him from others, including members of his own household is his zeal for the Lord’s house. He wrote; ‘I endure scorn for your sake and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons’. And the reason is that; ‘ zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.’ In the same way, Jesus could not bear the irreverent use of the Temple and so had to drive out the bad worshippers. When this happened, ‘his disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house has consumed me" (John 2:17).
‘ I would rather be a doorkeeper I the house of God…’
Psalm 84 was not penned by David, but it expresses the desire, which David had: to be in the Temple of God and to worship him
The following are extracts:
‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked’ (Ps 84 : 1-2,4).
David worshipped God from the depths of his heart
We go to church and participate in worship, but sometimes our hearts are not in what goes on; we pay lip service to God or are more concerned with a particular order instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way. In the following passages, David reveals the depth of his worshipful heart: ‘ Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits’ (Ps 103: 1-2). I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land’ (Ps 143: 6).
‘I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you’ (Ps 144: 9)
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
Michal frowns on David’s Liberty in worship (2 Samuel 6:-23)
In this passage, we see how David worshipped God in public, his wife’s resentment and the consequences of her attitude. The following issues stand out:
David worshipped with awe
In their first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, there was a celebration, but reverence was missing. Uzzah took things for granted and touched the Ark and so was struck dead by the Lord. Consequently, the first attempt was aborted. When the Ark was removed a second time, three months later, David ensured that there was reverence as well as rejoicing. When those who carried the Ark had taken six steps, a bull and a calf were sacrificed. In our rejoicing in the house of the Lord, we must ensure that there is decorum, that is behavior that is controlled, calm and polite.
David freely expressed himself in worship
King David ‘danced before the Lord with all his might. ‘He wore a linen – the symbol of his office as a priest-king, yet his nobility did not restrict him in dancing freely before the Lord, as any commoner would do.
Michal despised David in her heart
Michal is one of those who thing that it is degrading for people in high positions in society or in the church to freely express themselves in worship. There are worshippers who refuse to join in singing dancing, etc, and walk expressionless in bring their offering to the Lord. There are also those who frown on and accuse those who dance or express themselves freely as overdoing it or are unspiritual and would have not part in it .
Michal receives a curse rather than a blessing
After the Ark had been brought in, David ‘blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty’ (Verse 18). However, when David returned home to bless his household, it turned into arguments and insults between him and Michal over how he had danced in public before the Lord. According to the Chronicler, Michal’s barrenness can be attributed to her resentment of David’s free expression of worship. The attitude with which we enter the chapel with the Lord’s blessings or perhaps invite curses on ourselves as happened to Michal.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do you think that many of our members attend church services late? Is it a result of the generally poor attitude of the Ghanaian to time, referred to as ‘African punctuality’, or is it a reflection of our lack of zeal or enthusiasm about prayers and singing?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69;9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David?
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship services’ How has your attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing or soul worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69:9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship service’ How has you attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
c. Confess any of the above or other negative attitudes and seek the Holy Spirit’s help to worship God in spirit and truth from henceforth.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Psalm 95:1-8 Bow Down in Worship
Tuesday Psalm 96:1-9 Tremble Before the Lord
Wednesday Psalm 98:1-6 Sing a New Song to the Lord
Thursday Psalm 98:4-9 Shout Unto the Lord
Friday I Chronicles 29:10-13 David Praised the Lord
Saturday Psalm 66:1-6 God’s Awesomeness
09WK11- THE WORSHIP LIFE OF DAVID ...1
THE WORSHIP LIFE OF DAVID ----- I
KEY VERSE: My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! "Your face, LORD, I will seek PSALM 27:8
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 27:4-14
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! " Your face., LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 What for the LORD; be strong and take heart and waiting for the LORD.
INTRODUCTION
In our study last week, we saw how Jesus would not tolerate those who had turned the Temple into a place of commerce, instead of its right use as a place for prayer and the worship of God. The Bible exhorts use to meet regularly with other Christians for worship and exhortation (Heb. 10:22). However, as we saw in our study of nationalism in the July – Dec. 2008 edition of the WBL, some challenges facing the church are poor attendance and lateness to church services. Sometimes too, the singing, praying and other activities in the service are carried out with such lukewarm attitudes that it makes one wonder if there is any warmth in our relationship with God, the object of our worship.
William Bullock (1798-1874) wrote the hymn, ‘We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honour dwells… (MHB 677, KNN 677, CAN 225). This should reflect the right attitude with which we must worship God in our churches. For the average worshipper however, the lament of the hymnist, John Newton (1725-1807) in verse 5 of the popular hymn ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ears’ (MHB 99, KNN 99, CAN 225) applies:
‘Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’II praise Thee as I ought’
In contrast to the coldness of our worship, the study of the life of David and the Psalms which he wrote, reveals a man whose relationship with God was warm and reflected in his worship. What then can we learn from David to improve the quality of our worship as individuals and as congregations? This will be the focus of our study for the next two weeks.
EXPOSITION
David’s Passion for God and His Worship
In Psalm 27, David says his greatest desire in life is to be in the sanctuary and worship the Lord;
‘One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his Temple’ (Ps 27:4).
Zeal for your house has consumed me’
In Psalm 69:6-9, David says that what distinguishes him from others, including members of his own household is his zeal for the Lord’s house. He wrote; ‘I endure scorn for your sake and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons’. And the reason is that; ‘ zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.’ In the same way, Jesus could not bear the irreverent use of the Temple and so had to drive out the bad worshippers. When this happened, ‘his disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house has consumed me" (John 2:17).
‘ I would rather be a doorkeeper I the house of God…’
Psalm 84 was not penned by David, but it expresses the desire, which David had: to be in the Temple of God and to worship him
The following are extracts:
‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked’ (Ps 84 : 1-2,4).
David worshipped God from the depths of his heart
We go to church and participate in worship, but sometimes our hearts are not in what goes on; we pay lip service to God or are more concerned with a particular order instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way. In the following passages, David reveals the depth of his worshipful heart: ‘ Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits’ (Ps 103: 1-2). I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land’ (Ps 143: 6).
‘I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you’ (Ps 144: 9)
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
Michal frowns on David’s Liberty in worship (2 Samuel 6:-23)
In this passage, we see how David worshipped God in public, his wife’s resentment and the consequences of her attitude. The following issues stand out:
David worshipped with awe
In their first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, there was a celebration, but reverence was missing. Uzzah took things for granted and touched the Ark and so was struck dead by the Lord. Consequently, the first attempt was aborted. When the Ark was removed a second time, three months later, David ensured that there was reverence as well as rejoicing. When those who carried the Ark had taken six steps, a bull and a calf were sacrificed. In our rejoicing in the house of the Lord, we must ensure that there is decorum, that is behavior that is controlled, calm and polite.
David freely expressed himself in worship
King David ‘danced before the Lord with all his might. ‘He wore a linen – the symbol of his office as a priest-king, yet his nobility did not restrict him in dancing freely before the Lord, as any commoner would do.
Michal despised David in her heart
Michal is one of those who thing that it is degrading for people in high positions in society or in the church to freely express themselves in worship. There are worshippers who refuse to join in singing dancing, etc, and walk expressionless in bring their offering to the Lord. There are also those who frown on and accuse those who dance or express themselves freely as overdoing it or are unspiritual and would have not part in it .
Michal receives a curse rather than a blessing
After the Ark had been brought in, David ‘blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty’ (Verse 18). However, when David returned home to bless his household, it turned into arguments and insults between him and Michal over how he had danced in public before the Lord. According to the Chronicler, Michal’s barrenness can be attributed to her resentment of David’s free expression of worship. The attitude with which we enter the chapel with the Lord’s blessings or perhaps invite curses on ourselves as happened to Michal.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do you think that many of our members attend church services late? Is it a result of the generally poor attitude of the Ghanaian to time, referred to as ‘African punctuality’, or is it a reflection of our lack of zeal or enthusiasm about prayers and singing?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69;9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David?
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship services’ How has your attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing or soul worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69:9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship service’ How has you attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
c. Confess any of the above or other negative attitudes and seek the Holy Spirit’s help to worship God in spirit and truth from henceforth.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Psalm 95:1-8 Bow Down in Worship
Tuesday Psalm 96:1-9 Tremble Before the Lord
Wednesday Psalm 98:1-6 Sing a New Song to the Lord
Thursday Psalm 98:4-9 Shout Unto the Lord
Friday I Chronicles 29:10-13 David Praised the Lord
Saturday Psalm 66:1-6 God’s Awesomeness
KEY VERSE: My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! "Your face, LORD, I will seek PSALM 27:8
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 27:4-14
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his (a) Face! " Your face., LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 What for the LORD; be strong and take heart and waiting for the LORD.
INTRODUCTION
In our study last week, we saw how Jesus would not tolerate those who had turned the Temple into a place of commerce, instead of its right use as a place for prayer and the worship of God. The Bible exhorts use to meet regularly with other Christians for worship and exhortation (Heb. 10:22). However, as we saw in our study of nationalism in the July – Dec. 2008 edition of the WBL, some challenges facing the church are poor attendance and lateness to church services. Sometimes too, the singing, praying and other activities in the service are carried out with such lukewarm attitudes that it makes one wonder if there is any warmth in our relationship with God, the object of our worship.
William Bullock (1798-1874) wrote the hymn, ‘We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honour dwells… (MHB 677, KNN 677, CAN 225). This should reflect the right attitude with which we must worship God in our churches. For the average worshipper however, the lament of the hymnist, John Newton (1725-1807) in verse 5 of the popular hymn ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ears’ (MHB 99, KNN 99, CAN 225) applies:
‘Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’II praise Thee as I ought’
In contrast to the coldness of our worship, the study of the life of David and the Psalms which he wrote, reveals a man whose relationship with God was warm and reflected in his worship. What then can we learn from David to improve the quality of our worship as individuals and as congregations? This will be the focus of our study for the next two weeks.
EXPOSITION
David’s Passion for God and His Worship
In Psalm 27, David says his greatest desire in life is to be in the sanctuary and worship the Lord;
‘One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his Temple’ (Ps 27:4).
Zeal for your house has consumed me’
In Psalm 69:6-9, David says that what distinguishes him from others, including members of his own household is his zeal for the Lord’s house. He wrote; ‘I endure scorn for your sake and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons’. And the reason is that; ‘ zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.’ In the same way, Jesus could not bear the irreverent use of the Temple and so had to drive out the bad worshippers. When this happened, ‘his disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house has consumed me" (John 2:17).
‘ I would rather be a doorkeeper I the house of God…’
Psalm 84 was not penned by David, but it expresses the desire, which David had: to be in the Temple of God and to worship him
The following are extracts:
‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked’ (Ps 84 : 1-2,4).
David worshipped God from the depths of his heart
We go to church and participate in worship, but sometimes our hearts are not in what goes on; we pay lip service to God or are more concerned with a particular order instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way. In the following passages, David reveals the depth of his worshipful heart: ‘ Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits’ (Ps 103: 1-2). I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land’ (Ps 143: 6).
‘I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you’ (Ps 144: 9)
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
Michal frowns on David’s Liberty in worship (2 Samuel 6:-23)
In this passage, we see how David worshipped God in public, his wife’s resentment and the consequences of her attitude. The following issues stand out:
David worshipped with awe
In their first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, there was a celebration, but reverence was missing. Uzzah took things for granted and touched the Ark and so was struck dead by the Lord. Consequently, the first attempt was aborted. When the Ark was removed a second time, three months later, David ensured that there was reverence as well as rejoicing. When those who carried the Ark had taken six steps, a bull and a calf were sacrificed. In our rejoicing in the house of the Lord, we must ensure that there is decorum, that is behavior that is controlled, calm and polite.
David freely expressed himself in worship
King David ‘danced before the Lord with all his might. ‘He wore a linen – the symbol of his office as a priest-king, yet his nobility did not restrict him in dancing freely before the Lord, as any commoner would do.
Michal despised David in her heart
Michal is one of those who thing that it is degrading for people in high positions in society or in the church to freely express themselves in worship. There are worshippers who refuse to join in singing dancing, etc, and walk expressionless in bring their offering to the Lord. There are also those who frown on and accuse those who dance or express themselves freely as overdoing it or are unspiritual and would have not part in it .
Michal receives a curse rather than a blessing
After the Ark had been brought in, David ‘blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty’ (Verse 18). However, when David returned home to bless his household, it turned into arguments and insults between him and Michal over how he had danced in public before the Lord. According to the Chronicler, Michal’s barrenness can be attributed to her resentment of David’s free expression of worship. The attitude with which we enter the chapel with the Lord’s blessings or perhaps invite curses on ourselves as happened to Michal.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do you think that many of our members attend church services late? Is it a result of the generally poor attitude of the Ghanaian to time, referred to as ‘African punctuality’, or is it a reflection of our lack of zeal or enthusiasm about prayers and singing?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69;9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David?
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship services’ How has your attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
An ordinary church service has about four main parts – the singing and prayers, the sermon, worshipping with our substance and the notices. Which of these do you think should engage the attention of worshipper most and why?
How can we combine reverence and the free expression of ourselves in our worship services?
Why do you think that the level of church attendance is a better reflection of the spiritual growth of a church than its membership roll?
‘Soul Music’ may be described as a song or an act of worship which arises from the depth of one’s soul. How can we encourage soul singing or soul worship in our church services?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
a. David said, ‘Zeal for your house has consumed me’ (Ps. 69:9). Reflect on your attitude towards church attendance and worship in general. How does your attitude compare to that of David
b. Michal received a curse because of her attitude during a ‘worship service’ How has you attitude been towards other worshippers in church services?
c. Confess any of the above or other negative attitudes and seek the Holy Spirit’s help to worship God in spirit and truth from henceforth.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Psalm 95:1-8 Bow Down in Worship
Tuesday Psalm 96:1-9 Tremble Before the Lord
Wednesday Psalm 98:1-6 Sing a New Song to the Lord
Thursday Psalm 98:4-9 Shout Unto the Lord
Friday I Chronicles 29:10-13 David Praised the Lord
Saturday Psalm 66:1-6 God’s Awesomeness
Monday, March 2, 2009
09WK10 JESUS AND ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP
JESUS AND ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP
KEY VERSE: God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth JOHN 4:24
Scripture lesson: john 2: 13-19; 4:19-26
JOHN 2: 13. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
15. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables.
16. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
17 His disciples remembered that it is written. : Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
JOHN4: 19” Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming when he
comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 The Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
For the Teacher
BACKGROUND
This week we look at true worship as taught by Jesus. Jesus addresses the dangers in making our worship irrelevant and mechanical. The Old Testament practice of worship included the purchase of sheep and cattle around the Temple courts for sacrifices but by the time of Jesus this aspect of the worship life of Israel had been corrupted and lacked the honour due God. The people had turned the House of God into a market place and a den of robbers. In the second passage Jesus gave reasons why God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth and not in any mechanical way, not involving your hearts.
IN DEPTH
JOHN 2:13 – time for the Jewish Passover – this was the first Passover after Jesus’ baptism. The second is mentioned in Luke 6:1. The third is recorded in John 6: 4 and the fourth, which was his last and at which he was crucified is recorded in John 11.55. On each occasion Jesus showed that his great regard was for the pure worship of his Father, and one great design of his coming was to reform the abuses which had crept into this worship, so as to bring man to a proper regard for the glory of God.
VERSES 14:15 cattle, and sheep and doves – these were animals used for sacrifice in the temple.
And others sitting at tables exchanging money – were those who changed foreign money for that which was acceptable for temple worship, for the convenience of them that came from distant places.
He made a whip out of cords – The original word implies that these cords were made of twisted rushes or reeds – probably the ancient material for making ropes. This whip was made as an emblem of authority, and also for the purpose of driving from the temple the cattle and other animals which had been brought there fore sale.
VERSES 16-17. Even though the sale of animals and of money were somehow necessary parts of the worship, it was wrong to do them inside the temple, thereby preventing the Gentiles from worship. The quotation is from Ps 69:9.
VERSE 18 – What miraculous sign can you show us – since Jesus assumed the character of a prophet, he was reforming the temple by his authority. It was natural for the people to ask by what authority this was done; and as they had been accustomed to miracles in the lives of Moses and Elijah, and the other prophets, so they demanded evidence that he had authority thus to cleanse the house of God. They wished to know by what miracle he had shown, or could show, his right to do those things.
VERSE 19 – Destroy this temple – The evangelist informs us that by temple, here, he meant his body (jn 2:21). It is probable that Jesus pointed with his finger to his body as he spoke. Jesus called his body a temple in accordance with the common use of language, and more particularly because “in him the fullness of the Godhead dwelt body” (Col. 2:9). The word destroy, used here has the force of the future. I will raise it again – The Jews had asked a miracle of him in proof of his authority, of that would be his resurrection from the dead. When Jesus says, ‘I will raise it up,’ it is proof of his divine power. A mere man could not say this. No deceased man can have such power over his body.
JOHN 4:19-20 – I am see that you are a prophet – The word prophet used here does not denote one who foretells future events, but one who knew her heart and life and who must therefore have come from God. She did not yet suppose him to be the Messiah (Jn 4:25).
Our fathers worshipped on this mountain – The woman knew that the Patriarchs had built altars on Mount Graze and that the Samaritans had built a temp on it somewhat similar to the one in Jerusalem. This was one of the main subjects of controversy between the Samaritans and the Jews.
In Jerusalem – The place where the temple was built. This was built in accordance with the promise and command of God (Dt. 12:5, 11; 2ki 21:7; Ft, 12:11).
VERSES 21-22 – The hour is coming when you – Jesus mean that both Samaritans and Jews shall worship neither on Mr. Gerizim nor in Jerusalem. True worship shall no longer be confined to any one place or nation.
You Samaritans worship what you do not know – Jesus educated the woman on this subject of whom the Samaritans were ignorant: not only of the place, but of the very object of worship. Indeed, they feared the Lord after a fashion; but at the same time served their own gods (2 ki 17:33).
VERSES 23 – 24. The true worshippers – These are those who truly and sincerely worship God, people who worship with the heart, and not merely in form.
God is spirit – By this is meant that God is without a body; that he is not material or composed of parts; that he is invisible, in every place, pure and holy. As he is such a spirit, he dwells not in temples made with hands (Ac 7:25).
In spirit and in truth – Since God is Spirit; his worship must go beyond physical things (which may indeed represent things of the Spirit). God takes great delight in non-physical gifts such as love, devotion, loyalty and obedience. Such gifts should come unhindered and unobstructed, but freely from the human heart. Acceptable worship should also be made in truth. This means that it must be in accordance with the truth that God has revealed about himself in his word (and not the imagination or dreams or visions of anyone)
For the Student
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
The Samaritan woman at the well believing Jesus to be a man sent from God, proposed to him this age-long question, and perhaps because she wished to divert the conversation from the unpleasant topic respecting her husband. Jesus in his answer intimated the abolition both of the whole idea of the central sanctuary and of the entire ceremonial worship: “Neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father”; rather, “They that worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:21, 24).
Jesus gave two reasons why this kind of worship should take place. The first reason is that God sought or desired that form of worship. He had appointed the old mode, but he did it because he sought to lead the mind to himself even by those forms, and to prepare the people for the purer system of the gospel; and now he desired that those who worshipped him should worship him in the new manner.
The second reason is that God is spirit. To worship in spirit stands opposed to rites and ceremonies, and to the pomp of external worship. It refers to the mind, the soul, and the heart. True worshippers shall worship God with a sincere mind, with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer, with a desire to glorify him. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God, and where we do not depend on external forms for acceptance. A pure, holy, and spiritual worship, therefore, is a delight unto the Lord and that is what he seeks. It is the offering of the soul, the homage of the heart, rather than that of the lips.
TEST YOURSELF
1. Where did Jesus spend the Passover in today’s reading? (2:13)
2. What did Jesus tell those who sold doves in the Temple? (2:16)
3. What miraculous sing did Jesus offer to the Jews who asked for it? (2:18,19)
4. Where did Jews claim to be the only centre for worship? (2:20)
5. According to the woman at the well what will the Messiah do when he comes? (4:25)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
1. From the lesson of today’s study what will you consider to be (a) Unacceptable worship of God (b0 acceptable worship of God?
2. Sometimes we grow so familiar with the most solemn observances and offices of our liturgy that we end up having a soulless, unprofitable worship, Describe in detail how this affects our worship life and the personal encounter with God.
3. In what ways will you agree that ‘ worshipping God in spirit and in truth’ can be done within public and private worship?
4. Discuss the various ways in which God’s house is being desecrated today (Jn 2:13-19) Mention specific areas where the House of God is used for purposes which do not reflect the true functions. What are the answers to these practices?
5. a. Discuss in greater detail Jesus’ statement: ‘True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.’ How is this reflected in the Church’s liturgy; singing, praying, preaching, offering tithes and gifts?
b. How may current practices be improved to reflect more of Jesus’ directives?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week do a self examination of worship in spirit and truth.’ How does your finding help your worship life in the congregation? Share your discoveries and decisions with your class/group.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday I Samuel 2:12-17 Treating God’s Offering with Contempt
Tuesday Isaiah 1:10-17 Meaningless Offerings
Wednesday Isaiah 66:1-4 Unacceptable Offerings
Thursday Jeremiah 6:18-21 Formalism
Friday Hosea 6:1-6 Weakness in Worship
Saturday Amos 5:21-24 God will Despise your Religious Feasts
KEY VERSE: God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth JOHN 4:24
Scripture lesson: john 2: 13-19; 4:19-26
JOHN 2: 13. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
15. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables.
16. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
17 His disciples remembered that it is written. : Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
JOHN4: 19” Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming when he
comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 The Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
For the Teacher
BACKGROUND
This week we look at true worship as taught by Jesus. Jesus addresses the dangers in making our worship irrelevant and mechanical. The Old Testament practice of worship included the purchase of sheep and cattle around the Temple courts for sacrifices but by the time of Jesus this aspect of the worship life of Israel had been corrupted and lacked the honour due God. The people had turned the House of God into a market place and a den of robbers. In the second passage Jesus gave reasons why God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth and not in any mechanical way, not involving your hearts.
IN DEPTH
JOHN 2:13 – time for the Jewish Passover – this was the first Passover after Jesus’ baptism. The second is mentioned in Luke 6:1. The third is recorded in John 6: 4 and the fourth, which was his last and at which he was crucified is recorded in John 11.55. On each occasion Jesus showed that his great regard was for the pure worship of his Father, and one great design of his coming was to reform the abuses which had crept into this worship, so as to bring man to a proper regard for the glory of God.
VERSES 14:15 cattle, and sheep and doves – these were animals used for sacrifice in the temple.
And others sitting at tables exchanging money – were those who changed foreign money for that which was acceptable for temple worship, for the convenience of them that came from distant places.
He made a whip out of cords – The original word implies that these cords were made of twisted rushes or reeds – probably the ancient material for making ropes. This whip was made as an emblem of authority, and also for the purpose of driving from the temple the cattle and other animals which had been brought there fore sale.
VERSES 16-17. Even though the sale of animals and of money were somehow necessary parts of the worship, it was wrong to do them inside the temple, thereby preventing the Gentiles from worship. The quotation is from Ps 69:9.
VERSE 18 – What miraculous sign can you show us – since Jesus assumed the character of a prophet, he was reforming the temple by his authority. It was natural for the people to ask by what authority this was done; and as they had been accustomed to miracles in the lives of Moses and Elijah, and the other prophets, so they demanded evidence that he had authority thus to cleanse the house of God. They wished to know by what miracle he had shown, or could show, his right to do those things.
VERSE 19 – Destroy this temple – The evangelist informs us that by temple, here, he meant his body (jn 2:21). It is probable that Jesus pointed with his finger to his body as he spoke. Jesus called his body a temple in accordance with the common use of language, and more particularly because “in him the fullness of the Godhead dwelt body” (Col. 2:9). The word destroy, used here has the force of the future. I will raise it again – The Jews had asked a miracle of him in proof of his authority, of that would be his resurrection from the dead. When Jesus says, ‘I will raise it up,’ it is proof of his divine power. A mere man could not say this. No deceased man can have such power over his body.
JOHN 4:19-20 – I am see that you are a prophet – The word prophet used here does not denote one who foretells future events, but one who knew her heart and life and who must therefore have come from God. She did not yet suppose him to be the Messiah (Jn 4:25).
Our fathers worshipped on this mountain – The woman knew that the Patriarchs had built altars on Mount Graze and that the Samaritans had built a temp on it somewhat similar to the one in Jerusalem. This was one of the main subjects of controversy between the Samaritans and the Jews.
In Jerusalem – The place where the temple was built. This was built in accordance with the promise and command of God (Dt. 12:5, 11; 2ki 21:7; Ft, 12:11).
VERSES 21-22 – The hour is coming when you – Jesus mean that both Samaritans and Jews shall worship neither on Mr. Gerizim nor in Jerusalem. True worship shall no longer be confined to any one place or nation.
You Samaritans worship what you do not know – Jesus educated the woman on this subject of whom the Samaritans were ignorant: not only of the place, but of the very object of worship. Indeed, they feared the Lord after a fashion; but at the same time served their own gods (2 ki 17:33).
VERSES 23 – 24. The true worshippers – These are those who truly and sincerely worship God, people who worship with the heart, and not merely in form.
God is spirit – By this is meant that God is without a body; that he is not material or composed of parts; that he is invisible, in every place, pure and holy. As he is such a spirit, he dwells not in temples made with hands (Ac 7:25).
In spirit and in truth – Since God is Spirit; his worship must go beyond physical things (which may indeed represent things of the Spirit). God takes great delight in non-physical gifts such as love, devotion, loyalty and obedience. Such gifts should come unhindered and unobstructed, but freely from the human heart. Acceptable worship should also be made in truth. This means that it must be in accordance with the truth that God has revealed about himself in his word (and not the imagination or dreams or visions of anyone)
For the Student
THE WORD IN OUR LIVES
The Samaritan woman at the well believing Jesus to be a man sent from God, proposed to him this age-long question, and perhaps because she wished to divert the conversation from the unpleasant topic respecting her husband. Jesus in his answer intimated the abolition both of the whole idea of the central sanctuary and of the entire ceremonial worship: “Neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father”; rather, “They that worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:21, 24).
Jesus gave two reasons why this kind of worship should take place. The first reason is that God sought or desired that form of worship. He had appointed the old mode, but he did it because he sought to lead the mind to himself even by those forms, and to prepare the people for the purer system of the gospel; and now he desired that those who worshipped him should worship him in the new manner.
The second reason is that God is spirit. To worship in spirit stands opposed to rites and ceremonies, and to the pomp of external worship. It refers to the mind, the soul, and the heart. True worshippers shall worship God with a sincere mind, with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer, with a desire to glorify him. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God, and where we do not depend on external forms for acceptance. A pure, holy, and spiritual worship, therefore, is a delight unto the Lord and that is what he seeks. It is the offering of the soul, the homage of the heart, rather than that of the lips.
TEST YOURSELF
1. Where did Jesus spend the Passover in today’s reading? (2:13)
2. What did Jesus tell those who sold doves in the Temple? (2:16)
3. What miraculous sing did Jesus offer to the Jews who asked for it? (2:18,19)
4. Where did Jews claim to be the only centre for worship? (2:20)
5. According to the woman at the well what will the Messiah do when he comes? (4:25)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
1. From the lesson of today’s study what will you consider to be (a) Unacceptable worship of God (b0 acceptable worship of God?
2. Sometimes we grow so familiar with the most solemn observances and offices of our liturgy that we end up having a soulless, unprofitable worship, Describe in detail how this affects our worship life and the personal encounter with God.
3. In what ways will you agree that ‘ worshipping God in spirit and in truth’ can be done within public and private worship?
4. Discuss the various ways in which God’s house is being desecrated today (Jn 2:13-19) Mention specific areas where the House of God is used for purposes which do not reflect the true functions. What are the answers to these practices?
5. a. Discuss in greater detail Jesus’ statement: ‘True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.’ How is this reflected in the Church’s liturgy; singing, praying, preaching, offering tithes and gifts?
b. How may current practices be improved to reflect more of Jesus’ directives?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week do a self examination of worship in spirit and truth.’ How does your finding help your worship life in the congregation? Share your discoveries and decisions with your class/group.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday I Samuel 2:12-17 Treating God’s Offering with Contempt
Tuesday Isaiah 1:10-17 Meaningless Offerings
Wednesday Isaiah 66:1-4 Unacceptable Offerings
Thursday Jeremiah 6:18-21 Formalism
Friday Hosea 6:1-6 Weakness in Worship
Saturday Amos 5:21-24 God will Despise your Religious Feasts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
09WK9 - WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP? – THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE
WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP? – THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE
KEY VERSE: ‘When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands? Says the Lord MALACHI 1: 13B
SCRIPTURE LESSON: MALACHI 1:6-14
MALACKI 1: 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me? “says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7 “You place defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you? “By saying that the LORD’s table is contemptible.
8. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? “says the LORD Almighty,
9. “Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?”_says the LORD Almighty.
10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you, “says the LORD Almighty, “ and I will accept no offering from your hands.
11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In very place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, “says he LORD Almighty.
12. “ But you profane it by saying of the Lord’s table, ‘It is defiled,’ and of its food, ‘It is contemptible.’
13 And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the LORD Almighty.” When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the LORD.
14 “ Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the lord. For I am a great king, “says the LORD Almighty, “ and my name is to be feared among the nations.
For The teacher
BACKGROUND
The main focus of our study today is acceptable worship of God. Worship in one form or another has been practiced wherever men and women have lived throughout recorded history. While many Christians think that true and acceptable worship is found only in the singing of some special songs, the definition of the worship is found only in the singing of some special songs, the word worship shows that true worship is man’s response to God’s goodness. The word worship comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word “Weordhscipe, ‘which can be translated ‘ Worthship’, something that is full of worth or value. According to Dr. Collier worship is ‘any experience in which we ascribe value to the thing we worship, and Muriel Lester regards it as ‘the practice of seeing deep down into the heart of things and finding their real worth.
Why do men and women worship? They do because God has endowed them with a need to worship, that which is unsatisfied without worship. This universal practice is based on some deeply fundamental fact about God and man. It has been expressed by St. Augustine in his Confessions, in words which will live for all time: Thou has made us for Thyself, and the heart of man is restless until it finds rest in Thee.’ Every human being is so made that (s) he must worship something or someone, mammon or God, but within the Christian context (s) he cannot sincerely worship mammon and God (Mt. 6:24). The true object of worship for the Christian is God alone and there are valid principles for acceptable worship to him
IN DEPTH
MALACHI 1: 6 Turning from the people (ion previous verses) to the priests, God asks, why even though his love for the people was so great, where their love was towards him? If the priests, as they profess, regarded him as their Father (Isa 63:16) and Master, then they should show the reality of their profession by love ought to be leaders in piety to the rest of the people, whereas they were foremost in “despising his name”.
VERSES 7-8 You place defiled food – The priests took rejected animals – blind, crippled and diseased, and offered them to God; and thus the sacrificial ordinances were rendered disgraceful. The sacrifice of such animals was expressly forbidden in the Law (Dt. 02:00). God challenged the priest to offer these animals to their political masters and see whether they would not be rejected.
VERSE 9 Now implore God – There were evident marks of God’s displeasure in the land, and it was occasioned by these pollutions through the priests. Referring to the petition of the people through the priest, God points out that if their dishonorable practices were persisted in he will not accept any offering made by them.
VERSE 10 There was not one sincere or honest priest among them. They were all selfish and worldly.
VERSE 11 My name will be great among the nations – The Lord was, as it were, saying since the Jewish priest and people despise my name, I shall find others who will magnify it, those very peoples whom you look down upon as abominable’ (Mt 3:9). Do not think I shall have no worshippers because I do not have you. Pure offering – not “the blind, the lame, and the sick,” (Mal 1:8). The incense is figurative of prayers (Ps 14:2; Rev. 8:3).
VERSE 12 This is a renewal of the charge in Mal 1:7 They did not literally say, The Lord’s table is contemptible; but their acts virtually said so. They did not act in such a way as to lead the people to reverence, and to offer their best to the Lord. The people were poor, and put off God with the worst offerings.
VERSES 13:14 You bring injured, crippled or diseased animals – There had never been such abominations in the Divine worship before. The priests brought what was of no worth in itself, and what could not be used by its owner. This was brought to God’s altar, and offered as sacrifice.
Cursed is the cheat Those fraudulent, hypocrites, and deceitful dealers who make a show of one thing whilst intending another cannot elude God’s notice, they shall not escape his curse.
For the Student
THE WORD IN OUR LVES
If you ask different members of your congregation why they come to worship, there will be a wide range of answers. Some will say they come to be inspired, to have their faltering faith renewed and revived; others would want to feel God’s presence, or to receive a helpful message, enjoy the music, or be encouraged by meeting friends. All these answers are good but they lack the true essence of worship. Worship is ascribing worthship to God, an acknowledgment that leads praise and thanksgiving and a joy that only proceeds from the human heart. In some congregations they have developed the participation of the whole congregation quite remarkably whereby they engage in individual and corporate prayers, clap, shout out their own praises and give testimonies as the Holy Spirit leads. Worship in a Methodist chapel is built around the reading of scriptures, the preaching of the word, the singing of the hymns and canticles and the offering of fervent prayers and substance (money) with the singular aim of encountering God. Not one aspect of the service is more worthy than the other, hence every aspect must be pleasing and acceptable to him.
An acceptable worship is not just a physical act or material offering, but an attitude of mind and heart. The best sacrifices for God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart as well as sacrifices of praise, with which God is well pleased. They are not the service of form in an outward sanctuary and the presentation of slain animals, but the services of love in a life Paul reminded the church, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice “(Ro. 12:1). He did not ask for material sacrifices on altars of wood or stone, but spirituals.
Unfortunately many unacceptable worship practices abound I n our churches today. Many worshippers think that jumping and sweating mere shouting and dancing and many other mechanical activities constitute true and acceptable worship of God. Such activities without an acceptable heart only lead to perspiration instead of inspiration in the presence of God. Just as the lord cautioned the people that their continued sacrifice of injured, crippled and diseased animals would bring curses, the Church today must realize that the saying is true that ‘blind is the sacrifice of the worship of the soul which is not illumined by the light of Christ and lame is the sacrifice of his prayer who comes with a double mind to worship the Lord’. The words are a reproof to the negligent Church that goes through worship without fear, attention, and reverence.
TEST YOURSELF
1. According to God which people despised his name? (verse 6)
2. What type of animals were offered to God in sacrifice by the Israelites? (verses 8,13)
3. Why should God stop the people from kindling the fire on the altar? (verse 10)
4. Quote Malachi 1:13)
5. What did the cheating worshippers sacrifice to the Lord instead of the ‘male in their flock’? (verse 14)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Mention some of the unacceptable or ‘polluted’ acts of worship in the Church today. What measures can the Church adopt to address the situation and have a purposeful worship?
2. Read Matthew 15:8-9. Explain the statement that true worship is an encounter with God that involves the heart, intellect and encounter with God that involves the heart, intellect and emotions.
3. a. What new trends in worship can you identify in (i) the Christian Church in Ghana (ii) the Methodist Church Ghana in the Past 5-10 years? B. Discuss the ways by which these new trends of worship are positively or negatively impacting the spiritual growth of churches and individuals.
4. Do you agree that a Church only worships the Lord during the period normally termed Praise and Worship time? Explain your answer.
5. In what way does Malachi 1:14 come alive in Christian worship today?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
Reflect on Matthew 15: 8 and share with the class how Christians have honoured the Lord with their lips and kept their hearts away from him. Before you do this, however, find out whether this is a description of your own worship style and take steps to do better.
DAILY BIBLES READING
Monday Deuteronomy 26:1-10 Offering our first fruits to the Lord
Tuesday I Chronicles 16:26-34 Worship the Lord in the Splendour
Of his Holiness
Wednesday Isaiah 56:1-7 Acceptable Offering
Thursday Romans 12:1-4 Offer your Body as a living Sacrifice
Friday Philippians 4:14-18 Gifts as a Fragrant Offering
Saturday Hebrews 13:11-16 Sacrifices that Please God
KEY VERSE: ‘When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands? Says the Lord MALACHI 1: 13B
SCRIPTURE LESSON: MALACHI 1:6-14
MALACKI 1: 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me? “says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7 “You place defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you? “By saying that the LORD’s table is contemptible.
8. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? “says the LORD Almighty,
9. “Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?”_says the LORD Almighty.
10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you, “says the LORD Almighty, “ and I will accept no offering from your hands.
11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In very place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, “says he LORD Almighty.
12. “ But you profane it by saying of the Lord’s table, ‘It is defiled,’ and of its food, ‘It is contemptible.’
13 And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the LORD Almighty.” When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the LORD.
14 “ Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the lord. For I am a great king, “says the LORD Almighty, “ and my name is to be feared among the nations.
For The teacher
BACKGROUND
The main focus of our study today is acceptable worship of God. Worship in one form or another has been practiced wherever men and women have lived throughout recorded history. While many Christians think that true and acceptable worship is found only in the singing of some special songs, the definition of the worship is found only in the singing of some special songs, the word worship shows that true worship is man’s response to God’s goodness. The word worship comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word “Weordhscipe, ‘which can be translated ‘ Worthship’, something that is full of worth or value. According to Dr. Collier worship is ‘any experience in which we ascribe value to the thing we worship, and Muriel Lester regards it as ‘the practice of seeing deep down into the heart of things and finding their real worth.
Why do men and women worship? They do because God has endowed them with a need to worship, that which is unsatisfied without worship. This universal practice is based on some deeply fundamental fact about God and man. It has been expressed by St. Augustine in his Confessions, in words which will live for all time: Thou has made us for Thyself, and the heart of man is restless until it finds rest in Thee.’ Every human being is so made that (s) he must worship something or someone, mammon or God, but within the Christian context (s) he cannot sincerely worship mammon and God (Mt. 6:24). The true object of worship for the Christian is God alone and there are valid principles for acceptable worship to him
IN DEPTH
MALACHI 1: 6 Turning from the people (ion previous verses) to the priests, God asks, why even though his love for the people was so great, where their love was towards him? If the priests, as they profess, regarded him as their Father (Isa 63:16) and Master, then they should show the reality of their profession by love ought to be leaders in piety to the rest of the people, whereas they were foremost in “despising his name”.
VERSES 7-8 You place defiled food – The priests took rejected animals – blind, crippled and diseased, and offered them to God; and thus the sacrificial ordinances were rendered disgraceful. The sacrifice of such animals was expressly forbidden in the Law (Dt. 02:00). God challenged the priest to offer these animals to their political masters and see whether they would not be rejected.
VERSE 9 Now implore God – There were evident marks of God’s displeasure in the land, and it was occasioned by these pollutions through the priests. Referring to the petition of the people through the priest, God points out that if their dishonorable practices were persisted in he will not accept any offering made by them.
VERSE 10 There was not one sincere or honest priest among them. They were all selfish and worldly.
VERSE 11 My name will be great among the nations – The Lord was, as it were, saying since the Jewish priest and people despise my name, I shall find others who will magnify it, those very peoples whom you look down upon as abominable’ (Mt 3:9). Do not think I shall have no worshippers because I do not have you. Pure offering – not “the blind, the lame, and the sick,” (Mal 1:8). The incense is figurative of prayers (Ps 14:2; Rev. 8:3).
VERSE 12 This is a renewal of the charge in Mal 1:7 They did not literally say, The Lord’s table is contemptible; but their acts virtually said so. They did not act in such a way as to lead the people to reverence, and to offer their best to the Lord. The people were poor, and put off God with the worst offerings.
VERSES 13:14 You bring injured, crippled or diseased animals – There had never been such abominations in the Divine worship before. The priests brought what was of no worth in itself, and what could not be used by its owner. This was brought to God’s altar, and offered as sacrifice.
Cursed is the cheat Those fraudulent, hypocrites, and deceitful dealers who make a show of one thing whilst intending another cannot elude God’s notice, they shall not escape his curse.
For the Student
THE WORD IN OUR LVES
If you ask different members of your congregation why they come to worship, there will be a wide range of answers. Some will say they come to be inspired, to have their faltering faith renewed and revived; others would want to feel God’s presence, or to receive a helpful message, enjoy the music, or be encouraged by meeting friends. All these answers are good but they lack the true essence of worship. Worship is ascribing worthship to God, an acknowledgment that leads praise and thanksgiving and a joy that only proceeds from the human heart. In some congregations they have developed the participation of the whole congregation quite remarkably whereby they engage in individual and corporate prayers, clap, shout out their own praises and give testimonies as the Holy Spirit leads. Worship in a Methodist chapel is built around the reading of scriptures, the preaching of the word, the singing of the hymns and canticles and the offering of fervent prayers and substance (money) with the singular aim of encountering God. Not one aspect of the service is more worthy than the other, hence every aspect must be pleasing and acceptable to him.
An acceptable worship is not just a physical act or material offering, but an attitude of mind and heart. The best sacrifices for God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart as well as sacrifices of praise, with which God is well pleased. They are not the service of form in an outward sanctuary and the presentation of slain animals, but the services of love in a life Paul reminded the church, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice “(Ro. 12:1). He did not ask for material sacrifices on altars of wood or stone, but spirituals.
Unfortunately many unacceptable worship practices abound I n our churches today. Many worshippers think that jumping and sweating mere shouting and dancing and many other mechanical activities constitute true and acceptable worship of God. Such activities without an acceptable heart only lead to perspiration instead of inspiration in the presence of God. Just as the lord cautioned the people that their continued sacrifice of injured, crippled and diseased animals would bring curses, the Church today must realize that the saying is true that ‘blind is the sacrifice of the worship of the soul which is not illumined by the light of Christ and lame is the sacrifice of his prayer who comes with a double mind to worship the Lord’. The words are a reproof to the negligent Church that goes through worship without fear, attention, and reverence.
TEST YOURSELF
1. According to God which people despised his name? (verse 6)
2. What type of animals were offered to God in sacrifice by the Israelites? (verses 8,13)
3. Why should God stop the people from kindling the fire on the altar? (verse 10)
4. Quote Malachi 1:13)
5. What did the cheating worshippers sacrifice to the Lord instead of the ‘male in their flock’? (verse 14)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Mention some of the unacceptable or ‘polluted’ acts of worship in the Church today. What measures can the Church adopt to address the situation and have a purposeful worship?
2. Read Matthew 15:8-9. Explain the statement that true worship is an encounter with God that involves the heart, intellect and encounter with God that involves the heart, intellect and emotions.
3. a. What new trends in worship can you identify in (i) the Christian Church in Ghana (ii) the Methodist Church Ghana in the Past 5-10 years? B. Discuss the ways by which these new trends of worship are positively or negatively impacting the spiritual growth of churches and individuals.
4. Do you agree that a Church only worships the Lord during the period normally termed Praise and Worship time? Explain your answer.
5. In what way does Malachi 1:14 come alive in Christian worship today?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
Reflect on Matthew 15: 8 and share with the class how Christians have honoured the Lord with their lips and kept their hearts away from him. Before you do this, however, find out whether this is a description of your own worship style and take steps to do better.
DAILY BIBLES READING
Monday Deuteronomy 26:1-10 Offering our first fruits to the Lord
Tuesday I Chronicles 16:26-34 Worship the Lord in the Splendour
Of his Holiness
Wednesday Isaiah 56:1-7 Acceptable Offering
Thursday Romans 12:1-4 Offer your Body as a living Sacrifice
Friday Philippians 4:14-18 Gifts as a Fragrant Offering
Saturday Hebrews 13:11-16 Sacrifices that Please God
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