A Pattern for Worship

The church was born at the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ. It was at that time that Jesus “having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” sent Him to his disciples and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2: 4, 33). The Scriptures teach “they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). So began the church.

What followed after that testifies to the fundamental activity of corporate worship from that time to our present day. “They continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). These four things – doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayers – represent a simple yet enduring liturgy for the purpose of believers gathering together in our Lord’s name.

We gather together for doctrine, i.e. the teaching and preaching of God’s word. In the early church this doctrine was that revealed and taught by the Lord himself to his apostles.  They in turn preached and proclaimed it throughout their ministry and, consequently, handed it down to us as our New Testament. We gather together to learn and grow in our knowledge of God’s word and our obedience to it. The preaching and teaching of the Scriptures in their entirety is fundamental and essential to the worship of the saints. A church that has departed from this practice has lost its moorings.

We gather together for fellowship. This fellowship is not the comradery that grows out of the usual common interests we have with others, e.g., sports, work, hobbies, etc. Rather, this fellowship emphasizes the one thing that we do not share with the world – our relationship to Jesus Christ through the forgiveness of sins. This fellowship is not achieved staying at home and watching the service online.

The phrase “breaking of bread” has its primary fulfillment in remembering “the Lord’s death till he come” (I Corinthians 11:26). No doubt, other communal meals were contemplated when this was written. But the Lord’s supper, as it is called, is the focal point of this passage as it highlights one of the two ordinances committed to the church by Christ himself. (The other one is baptism.) The early church was a faithful practitioner of this celebration. We should be likewise.

Finally, the early church gathered together for prayer. Corporate prayer seems to have gone much by the wayside in today’s modern worship. Yet prayer remains both the privilege and duty of the individual worshipper and the church collectively. We share our burdens one with another and pray one for another as we gather together before the One who hears and answers our prayers.

What kind of church do you attend? Is it characterized by the preaching of God’s word? Is it known as a place where the saints of God fellowship with one another in the things of God? Does it uphold the ordinances left by our Lord and Savior? Is it a place where prayer is practiced and promoted? If these things are missing from your Sunday mornings, maybe it’s time to look for a new church.

A New Course

The Bible teaches that after Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he “shewed himself alive…by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [his disciples] forty days…” and taught them “things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). The certainty of the resurrection of Christ is indisputable. Paul testified to this great truth in his letter to the Corinthians relating that “he [Jesus] was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once…after that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles…last of all he was seen of me also” (I Corinthians 15:5-8). The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity and necessarily was the focal point of the preaching of the Apostles throughout the book of Acts.

But our Lord’s post-resurrection teaching pertaining the kingdom of God is important also. The disciples, like the rest of Israel, were looking for their Messiah to come and deliver their nation from Rome’s oppression. God had promised a Messiah through Abraham who would lead his people and rule the nations. Jesus had proven himself as this Messiah and the disciples were convinced of that. In fact, Peter had testified to this very fact declaring to Jesus “Thou are the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Now that he was risen from the dead, they were curious if the Lord would assert his rule. They asked him “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).

No doubt, his response surprised them somewhat. In the first place, he told them “It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:7). In other words, your attention is wrongly focused. Rather, he turns their attention to a different display of power. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The plan was not for the Messiah to rule the nations at this time, but for the Savior to receive repentant sinners through the proclamation of the gospel. His power would instead be manifest through his disciples as they witnessed to the world how he conquered sin and death through his death, burial, and resurrection. Consequently, he told them “not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father…ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:4-5).

Christ, having set the course for his followers in this present age, “he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Soon after this, the Holy Spirit was sent from the Father on Pentecost and so the work of building the Lord’s church began. But the promise given to his disciples as they watched their Lord ascend into heaven remains. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

A Message to be Believed

Luke records in Acts 17 that the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey brought him and his co-laborers to Thessalonica “where was a synagogue of the Jews” (Acts 17:1). He goes on to say that “Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead” (Acts 17:2-3; emphasis added). Likewise, Paul affirms to the Corinthian believers “I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4; emphasis added). The point clearly set forth in these records as well as many others is that Christianity is rooted in revelation. Becoming a Christian is believing a message that is framed and governed by the scriptures, the Word of God.

We are told that in Thessalonica “some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas…[B]ut the Jews which believed not, moved with envy…and set all the city on an uproar” (Acts 17:4-5). Frankly, wherever the gospel has been preached from that day until today, some believe and some do not. The message, however, remains the same. As it was then so it is today because God’s word does not change!

Recognizing the divine origin of the message made all the difference for those Thessalonians who believed. Paul commended them because “when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (I Thessalonians 2:13; emphasis added).

The scriptures declare the gospel which “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…[F]or therein is the righteousness of God revealed” (Romans 1:16-17). Christianity is believing a message revealed from God. And believing God is the core of what being a Christian is all about. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I John 5:10-12).

Because of the uproar caused in Thessalonica by the unbelieving Jews, Paul was hastened out of town and sent to Berea. Again, he went into the synagogue of the Jews where “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore, many of them believed” (Acts 17:11-12). The word of God made the difference in their lives. They heard and believed.

There are many false “gospels” today that seek our attention. But it is imperative that we be like the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” Only the gospel of Christ can save from sin and grant eternal life. Are you listening to the right message? Have you believed?

A Matter of Receiving

The Apostle Paul made three significant missionary endeavors that are recorded for us in the Scriptures. One thing stands out in all of them. No matter where he went, no matter where he stayed, no matter where he preached, the message of the gospel was received by some and rejected by others. One might dismiss that as to be expected. But the fact that the gospel can be both received or rejected is significant to each one of us.

Paul took Barnabus with him and visited the city of Iconium early on his first missionary journey. The record of their ministry illustrates the two responses to the gospel message. We read “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they [Paul and Barnabus] went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren” (Acts 14:1-2; emphasis added). In every case the gospel is either believed or not believed; therefore, the message is received or rejected.

The gospel is not something we learn and do. Rather, it is a message we hear and believe. Paul wrote to the believers at Rome, “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-13).

The gospel is a message that is for all people. As Paul emphasized, there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek. Anyone can believe and be saved; however, it is just as true that anyone may choose not to believe and, consequently, reject the gospel’s invitation to know their sins forgiven and the joy of eternal life.

Paul preached in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. As was his custom, he went first into the synagogue and “three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach, is Christ” (Acts 17:2-3). The response was predictable. The record tells of “the Jews which believed not”, but more importantly, it declares “some of them believed” (Acts 17:4-5).

The gospel message promises light and life to all who believe. It is a matter of simple faith. The invitation of the Savior stands. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Have you believed?

A Lesson for Those in Authority

One of the great moments in Israel’s history occurred when God “appeared to Solomon in a dream by night…and said, ask what I shall give thee” (I Kings 3:5). Solomon, David’s son, had just ascended to the throne and God offers him a blank check. Wow! Solomon responded by first acknowledging his privileged position by virtue of God’s goodness to David. Then he spoke plainly and quite humbly about how inadequate he was for the task of ruling. Consequently, he responded to God “give thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people…” (I Kings 3:9).

He could have asked for riches or for the life of his enemies, but did not. Instead, he asked for wisdom to be a good king. The Scriptures tell us that God was pleased with Solomon’s request and answered him “behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (I Kings 3:10-12).

Solomon’s first exercise of this gift of wisdom began with worshipping the Lord, the source of all wisdom. “And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings” (I Kings 3:15). Then we are told in that same verse that he “made a feast to all his servants”.

What a lesson for those in authority! Solomon shows us that godly wisdom for those in leadership positions begins with taking care of those that work for them, those who are their servants. True leaders serve others and their service begins with them that work for them. No doubt, Solomon learned this truth from David for God had impressed upon his heart the accountability of those in authority to God. He wrote “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3).

Paul understood that those who lead faithfully before God must recognize and value the contribution of those who serve. He wrote to the believers in Colossae, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1). Part of that recognition of those who serve is simply showing appreciation for the contribution they make. Surely, this was behind Solomon’s action in giving his servants a feast.

Those who lead best serve most. Christ taught his disciples that they ought not pattern their leadership after the world’s example of those that love to lead as opposed to those who lead in love. Positions of authority and influence require a concern for the welfare of those under them. Listen to Christ’s exhortation. “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:42-44).

Leadership is a stewardship from God and love must flow from authority to those under its command. God, the Supreme Authority, set the example. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Yet in Your Sins

Paul had previously presented to the believers in Corinth irrefutable eye-witness testimony of our Lord’s bodily resurrection from the dead. This he had done after testifying that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection were scripturally foretold (I Corinthians 15:1-8). Nonetheless, there were those in Corinth that did not believe in any resurrection of the body and Paul used the resurrection of Christ to challenge their wrong thinking. “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some of you that there is no resurrection of the dead” (I Corinthians 15:12)?

Paul pointed out that to deny the resurrection has dangerous implications for “if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen…for if the dead rise not, then is Christ not raised” (I Corinthians 15:13,16). Paul went on to declare the most troubling conclusion, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:17). Let the unthinkable reality of that assertion linger in your mind – ye are yet in your sins!

The gospel, or good news, is that Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins on the cross, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day. The fact that he rose again speaks to the Father’s satisfaction with his sacrifice. God the Father looked at the offering of God the Son’s blood upon the cross, and was propitiated. Propitiated means that God’s holy wrath against our sin and the penalty that our sin demanded was completely satisfied. The sinless Son of God had no sins to pay for that were his own. Consequently, his death on our behalf was accepted by God the Father and he was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25).

The author of Hebrews points out that Jesus “after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God…[and] there is no more offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:12,18). If Christ is not raised, there remains no opportunity for forgiveness. Our faith is vain and we are yet in our sins; a totally hopeless condition. But praise God it does not end there! Paul writes, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (I Corinthians 15:20).

Christ is alive and the wrath of God that rested on him need not rest on us! Yet in the midst of this good news lies a solemn warning. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

Working for the Gospel’s Sake

Paul expressed his disappointment with the Corinthians’ lack of spiritual growth and rebuked them for their divisive favoritism (I Corinthians 3:2-4).  He went on to explain that this unwarranted elevation of personalities struck at the very core of the gospel ministry.  He challenged his readers, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:5-6). 

The advance of the gospel goes forward by the power of God – not men.  It was imperative that the Corinthians understood this.  Their sense of self was eclipsing their ability to see the ministry as God intended it to be.  God uses men to make the gospel known, but it is the gospel that saves men’s souls and changes their lives.  Paul testified to them “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (I Corinthians 3:7).  It was a pointed reminder of Christ’s own words, “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

God gives his children the privilege in sharing in this eternal work.  While that is a great privilege in and of itself, He also rewards us for doing so!  Listen to Paul’s instruction and encouragement to the Corinthians.  “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:  and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (I Corinthians 3:8-9). 

First, he challenges their vision by reminding them there is only one work.  There are those that “planteth” and those that “watereth”, but there is only one work.  Second, he encourages them that no matter the role they fill, they are rewarded for their labor.  No one can take that from them.  Their reward is according to their work and theirs alone – not the labor of someone else.  Being harnessed together in a single work of eternal value with the promise of personal reward is a great incentive to both unselfishness and faithfulness. 

This is the work of the gospel.  The global ministry of God’s word unto the building of his church requires countless laborers of every skill and talent.  Each one has been endowed by the Lord himself to serve in a way to impact eternity and know a reward reserved exclusively for him.  Every member of his body, the church, is equipped of the Lord and enabled to serve in a calling unique to him.  Each one has a part to play and God is faithful to reward each.  What are you doing for the gospel’s sake?  Have you gotten a glimpse of this higher calling and, more importantly, is it tethered to all your labors in every venue of life?

We Have Received of His Spirit

Paul speaks of the most remarkable gift to the believer having reminded his audience that the world by its own wisdom could not find out God.  To those who have believed the gospel, he assures them “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (I Corinthians 2:12, emphasis added).  Think of that – God has given us of his Spirit.  The Creator of the universe, the Redeemer of mankind has given us his Spirit to make himself fully known to his children.

Paul explains “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?  Even so, the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (I Corinthians 2:11).  Who can tell the inner thoughts of a man but that man’s own spirit within him.  So it is with God.  In fact, Paul goes on to relate that the “Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God” (I Corinthians 2:10).  These “things” the Spirit reveals to the children of God.  If man is to know God as God would have him to know, God must reveal himself to man.  Consequently, the Father gives his Spirit to his children to accomplish this.

This gift is essential for our spiritual understanding.  We cannot discern or comprehend the things of God by our senses.  Paul writes, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit” (I Corinthians 2:9-10).  The things of God are not received through our normal cognitive abilities, but are revealed – made known – to us by his indwelling Spirit.

This is why the message of the Bible is veiled to the unbeliever.  “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14).  The natural man, i.e. the unregenerate man or the unbeliever, does not have the Spirit of God to give understanding to the word.  Surely, he can read it like any book and understand the facts of the text, but he is blinded to the spiritual importance of that text because of unbelief.

What could be more plain?  God is a spiritual Being.  “God is a Spirit. They that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Man is spiritually dead and needs spiritual life in order to commune with God.  As Paul has related to the Corinthians, such communion cannot occur by man’s own ability or initiative.  But, through the message of the gospel and the gift of his Spirit, God gives spiritual life to man and enables him to receive those things that pertain to that new relationship. Do you know this God? Have you believed the gospel? If so, trust his Spirit to guide you into his word. 

Walk Before Me…

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1). In this brief statement by God, we find important truth that provides fundamental insight into God’s dealing with each of us.

First, the One who spoke to Abram was Almighty God. This One is God alone and worthy of all worship. There is no other God. The prophet Isaiah records God’s testimony of Himself. “I am the first, and the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). Furthermore, this One is not merely God, but Almighty God the Creator of all things. Again, Isaiah records, “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded” (Isaiah 45:12). The command to Abram was warranted on the basis of God’s own Person. This remains true for each one of us today.

The command that followed contained both a relational aspect as well as a behavioral aspect. God told Abram “walk before me”. Abram was called by God to live his life as an actor on a stage before an audience of One. Every portion of his life came under this Divine scrutiny. This is the relational element of the command. Abram had other relationships – wife, concubine, servants, etc. But this relationship to God must surpass and govern every other relationship. This was God’s command and His expectation for Abram. He had brought Abram into an intentionally personal relationship with Himself.

Living his life before Almighty God necessarily carried with it imposing requirements. The word “perfect” here does not mean that Abram was to be sinless for “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). It does mean that his life was to be so ordered as to please a holy God. A holy God can require no less. Peter spoke of this expectation which has not changed with time because God does not change. Peter wrote, “…but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16). A relationship with God requires behavior that is fitting a holy God. For Abram, this necessitated a life of faith and God “counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). All those who know God must reflect His holiness in their conduct. It is man that must change, not God.

God’s plan for mankind has not changed since his dealings with Abram. This great God still desires a personal and intimate relationship with men and women characterized by holiness. To this very end God sent his Son, Jesus Christ. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (I Peter 3:18). Consequently, God will indeed dwell in relationship and fellowship with all who humbly turn from their sin and trust Christ as their Savior. Isaiah assures us this is so, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). God Himself is the dwelling place of those who humble themselves before Him.

Prophecy or Tongues?

The gift of “tongues” was an important gift found in the early church and necessary for advancing the gospel among different ethnic groups. Tongues in the New Testament has reference to foreign languages unknown or unlearned by the speaker. It would be as if I were able to speak French or German without any instruction or training. As important as this gift was, it had been misused in Corinth for the personal acclaim of those who were “gifted” with it. Paul found it necessary to correct this practice by instructing the Corinthian believers on the importance of prophesying, or declaring God’s word.

Paul had much to say about the misuse of tongues, but what he had to say about prophesying was more important. In comparing tongues with prophesy, he concluded “he that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifeth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church” (I Corinthians 14:4). Edify simply means to build. One of the fundamental purposes of the local church is to build up believers in their faith through the ministry of the word. The Corinthians in their selfish ambition had lost sight of this and Paul rebuked them for their wrong priorities. “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church” (I Corinthians 14:12).

Many of the Corinthian believers were caught up with these “showy” gifts and became puffed up with pride. We are not immune to this behavior in our modern church today. Talented people and strong personalities often take center stage muting the ministry of God’s word. But it is the plain preaching and teaching of God’s word that strengthens the believer and forges his or her faith. As Paul noted to the Corinthians, “he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort” (I Corinthians 14:3). As a result, Paul concluded “Let all things be done unto edifying” (I Corinthians 14:26).

It is unfortunate that many, if not most, churches in our day have moved away from relying on the simple declaration of God’s word to save the lost and perfect the faith of the saints. Sermons are more like a motivational speech instead of “Thus saith the Lord.” It seems that preachers have moved more in this direction because the people in the pew are not interested in sound preaching. It is a vicious cycle – anemic preaching produces nominal Christians and nominal Christians are content with anemic preaching.

This cycle has left its practitioners destitute of a genuine relationship with God and barren of true spiritual power. Rather, they seek (as the Corinthians) the “showy” forms of worship. They consider worship as something to experience vicariously through a worship team. Worship becomes nothing more than an emotional experience. Unfortunately, they leave church much the way they came – no closer to God, but feeling better about it!

What about the worship in your church? Remember this – “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) and “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Is your worship word-centered? Does your church emphasize the preaching of God’s word?