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 Living Hope Fellowship Church
Church Study Course

WORSHIPING GOD OUTLINE:

Lesson 4



CHURCH (#4)

WORSHIPING GOD OUTLINE:


1. GOD IS GOD
2. WHY GO TO CHURCH?
3. WORSHIP AND LOVE GOD
4. WORSHIP GOD WITH JOY
5. HOW TO ACT IN CHURCH
6. DECENCY, ORDER, AND LIBERTY
7. WHY DO WE. . . . . ?
8. LET'S NOT FORGET THE ALTAR
9. PUNISHMENT FOR WORSHIPING OTHER GODS
Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

All Christians are required to pray and seek God. His Word is about him and his laws. One reason you may not know some of this information is because it is not preached by many. If it is in the Bible, you need to know it.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: Amos 8:11.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32.
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1. GOD IS GOD

God created us for his pleasure. He desires us to worship him because he loves us; he is our Creator. If we do not worship him we won't obtain eternal life, yet he will not cross our will. God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3).

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11.

(3) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (4) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:3-6.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. John 9:31.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28.

2. WHY GO TO CHURCH?

The Bible says that scripture is given for instruction in righteousness. The Lord wants us to hear the word and LEARN to live right.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Psalm 26:8.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25.

3. WORSHIP AND LOVE GOD

We can worship God many ways. We worship God as individuals and as a church. A church is a place set apart for worship. The first of the Ten Commandments is that we love God. You can read the Ten Commandments for yourself in the Bible in Exodus, Chapter 20, or in Deuteronomy, Chapter 5. If we love Him we will worship Him. God wants our heart, mind, body, soul, and strength. He knows if you give lip worship only. John 14:14 says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:13.

(30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31.

(23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23 & 24. Read Philippians 3:3.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18.

It is possible to think you are right and not be. Search the Word of God for the truth. Seek and receive the Holy Ghost which is the Spirit of truth. Then you will not worship God in vain.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12.

4. WORSHIP GOD WITH JOY

We have reason for the joy of the Lord. We should praise the Lord. God is able to make the stones praise him. Read Psalm Chapter 150. The Word teaches us to be happy in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "Rejoice evermore."

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11.

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright. Psalm 33:1.

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. Psalm 70:4.

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Psalm 85:6.

Make joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice and sing praise. Psalm 98:4.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40. Read Psalm 96:11-13 & 97:1.

Read Psalm 13:5, Psalm 20:5, Psalm 35:9-10, Psalm 40:16, Psalm 63:7, Psalm 68:3, Psalm 71:23, Psalm 86:4, Psalm 89:16, Psalm 90:14, Psalm 97:12, Psalm 149:2.

5. HOW TO ACT IN CHURCH

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psalms 29:2.

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 1 Thessalonians 2:10.

6. DECENCY, ORDER, AND LIBERTY

There is decency and order and liberty. God's people are to grow to maturity in Christ. As they do, they will learn how each of these work in a service. God is to be reverenced and feared. God also gives joy in serving him.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 1 Thessalonians 4:4.

Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:30.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Psalms 89:7.

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:28.

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27.

God created us for His pleasure. (Revelation 4:11) Sometimes the Spirit of God will make you do odd things. Some will laugh in the Spirit, some will have a holy dance, some speak in tongues in praise to God, some have been called holy rollers, etc. We are to serve God with joyfulness (Deuteronomy 28:47-48).

7. WHY DO WE. . . .?

Church services vary greatly from place to place. Most include singing, music, preaching, and/or teaching. Here are some scriptures about worshipping God in a church service.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:26.

WHY DO WE STAND WHEN WE SING? It is not a commandment to stand to sing in church, but some do. Some praise the Lord loudly.

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 2 Chronicles 20:19.

WHY DO WE CLAP OUR HANDS? WHY DO SOME SHOUT IN CHURCH? Sometimes this will "break" the silence of a dead service and cause people to wake up and participate. The Bible speaks of us being "lively stones."

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5.

(1) O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (2) For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:1-2.

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11.

WHY DO WE LIFT OUR HANDS?

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. Psalm 63:4.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. Psalm 134:2.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8.

WHY DO WE HAVE AUDIBLE PRAISE UNTO GOD?

(1) Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. (2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases: Psalm 103:1-3.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1.

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Acts 4:24.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11.

WHY DO SOME PRAY OR SING IN TONGUES? Read Acts Chapter 1 and 2, particularly Acts 2:4 and Acts 10:45-46. Speaking in tongues is an evidence that someone is filled with the Holy Ghost.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:14.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1 Corinthians 14:15.

WHY DO WE SING CHORUSES AND HYMNS? They appointed singers in the Old Testament. Sometimes they even went out before a battle singing the praises of the Lord. The Bible talks about singing in the Old and New Testaments. Read Psalm 68:3 and 2 Chronicles 5:13.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Psalm 9:2.

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Chronicles 20:21.

(18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:18 & 19.

WHY DO WE HAVE PROPHECY?

Prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Read 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14 for better understanding.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3.

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1 Corinthians 14:31.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39.

WHY DO WE HAVE SPEAKING WITH TONGUES AND INTERPRETATION OF THOSE TONGUES? Speaking in tongues is an evidence that you have been filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:4 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Read next about divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39.

(7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:5.

WHY ARE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS A PART OF THE WORSHIP SERVICE? There are many musical instruments with which to worship God.

(1) Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (2) Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. (3) Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. (4) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with the stringed instruments and organs. (5) Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:1-6.

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; 2 Chronicles 5:13
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WHY DO WE PRAY TOGETHER IN CHURCH?

(19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:19-20.

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 56:7.

The authorities had commanded the disciples not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus and threatened them. They told the others about it. They called upon the Lord because it affected them also. They prayed till the place was shaken (read Acts Chapter 4).

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Acts 4:24.

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. Acts 12:12.

WHY DO WE ANOINT WITH OIL AND PRAY FOR THE SICK?

(14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:14 & 15.

8. LET'S NOT FORGET THE ALTAR.

An ALTAR is a place where sacrifices or offerings are made to a god. It is a place of death. In the Old Testament, the blood of animals was shed on the altar. Jesus is our sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26). Sinners and Christians need to pray at the altar. We need to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God according to Romans 12:1. We humble ourselves when we bow in reverence to our God Almighty. The altar is a sanctified place where you can reach out to talk to God. Study the Word for a full understanding of what the altar is for. It is better to bow before God now, in body and in heart and get things right, before the last judgment.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11.

9. PUNISHMENT FOR WORSHIPPING OTHER GODS

We have been commanded not to worship any but the living God that gave us the Word, the God of the Bible. Read Deuteronomy 8:19 & 10:12.

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Exodus 34:14.

Being religious does not necessarily mean right before God. Some "religious" people are actually worshipping so called "saints." This is idolatry. Some worship other idols such as self, statues, the sun, moon, stars, etc. Read Exodus 20:3-6. The Bible says that covetousness is idolatry and the wrath of God will be upon you for it (Colossians 3:5-6). Some worship devils (Rev. 9:20). Some worship angels (Colossians 2:18). In the Bible some worshipped an UNKNOWN GOD (Acts 17:23). A true follower of Christ will only pray to and worship God and his Son Jesus Christ. There is no other way to God except through Jesus (Acts 4:12). Jesus is to be worshipped, and his saints are only to be respected. John was told not to worship his fellowservant (Revelation 19:10 & 22:9). Some worship their religious leaders; this is idolatry. Read Acts 17:29-30 about idolatry. Satan wanted to be worshipped (Isaiah 14:12-15). The spirit of Antichrist will be in people that want to be worshipped.

(30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31.

Let's worship God with all we've got!

 

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