Worship as a Lifestyle (6): Corporate Worship

Whats the right way for Christians to worship together?  

What are the main styles of corporate worship?  

Liturgical to Free worshipWorship led by few to body ministry

Where did styles/forms come from?Personality styles, upbringing, social context, church heritage

Does the Bible describe the content of worship? prayer, singing, scripture readings (Gods story & word),

teaching, offering, communion...

Three aspects of corporate worship Form/style, Content, Attitude

So what is the right way to worship God as a community of Christ-followers?

 

Where in the Bible is mention of corporate worship?Psalms, Acts 2 v42f; 1st Corinthians 11-14; 1 Cor 6 v19 (we are temple of HS); Hebrews 9 & 10; Peter (we are

living stones/royal priesthood); 1 Timothy 2 and John 4.

John chapter 4:   19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

   21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming - indeed it’s here now - when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

   25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming - the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”  26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”

Shechem/Mt Gerizim

NEGEV DESERT

“in spirit and truth” worship

A radical change in understanding of human worship.

Worship is no longer about:the physical & truth but spirit & truth

the location/temple/nation & truth but spirit & truth

Relationship with God is no longer through: location & ritual (dead sacrifice & Gods local presence)

butspirit & truth (living sacrifice & omni-presence)

What have we turned into sacred mountains that Jesus might challenge?

• Places & buildings• Practices/Traditions/Rituals• Preferences• Groups [that have served their purpose]

What else does the New Testament add about corporate worship?

Corporate worship is a regular gathering of HS-gifted people, each bringing their contributions of song, prayer, Scripture, words, testimony & teaching in an orderly way, to strengthen, encourage & comfort, and to share in fellowship and the Lords Supper with one another, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, with the purpose of listening to and glorifying the God and Father of Jesus Christ.