Thursday, October 8, 2009

10-8-09

Thursday, October 8, 2009 Theology of Worship


  1. Worship and Scripture
    1. Worship is about God
    2. Scriptures are where he has revealed to us His nature and ways
    3. Worship is likewise for God
    4. Scriptures are where He tells us what hHe expects of us creatures.
    5. The Bible is to be our guide in every area of life - including the crucial area of worship
      1. I like what i like
      2. This is our tradition
      3. Our family does it this way...
      4. But... People Change.
      5. Times change: probably have 2-3 careers in your lifetime...
      6. Culture change: postmodern isn’t new any more.
    6. Only in Scripture can we hope to find an unchanging standard for our worship: we don’t all think the same.
  2. Problem
    1. There is a “stunning indifference” by the New Testament writers to issues of form and practice of corporate worship --- John Piper
    2. What does it mean to teach and talk about this “stunning indifference” wrt worship for the Church today?
  3. Questions
    1. What is it in the Bible that is supposed to govern and determine our worship?
      1. Our worship services still need to look like something -- so how are we to make choices?
      2. Is it a case of “anything goes?”
  4. The Illustration
    1. A model based on a suspension bridge.
      1. Built to flex
      2. Weight is supported by the towers and the suspension cable
        1. Towers are sunk deep int he earth for stability
        2. Suspension cable is flexible while sharing a large portion of the weight.
      3. Towers::: Firmly rooted in biblical foundations
      4. Cable Span::: flexible, like the NT to allow individual congregations to have some flexibility.
    2. The First Tower:
      1. Acts 2:42 and 47
      2. Crucial activities for the people of God when they come together?
        1. the Word
        2. Fellowship
        3. The LOrd’s Supper
        4. Prayer
        5. Praise
      3. Some see these verses not so much as a description but as a prescription for Church worship. Are these factors a part of our worship? These are a good base.
      4. Should all of these be part of each service??? Breaking of Bread? Fellowship?
        1. These are, at Bethlehem, decided by “wisdom calls” by elders.
      5. Further, corporate gatherings int eh New Testament were not called “worship services.” Seems that these five elements are found throughout history.
    3. The Span
      1. The span, with its built-in elasticity and flexibility while staying in the Biblical restraints.
      2. Flexibility and Freedom: Worldwide and historical applications of this principle have been demonstrated in an enormous variety of worship expressions.
      3. Requirements for a local church to successfully construct their worship:
        1. Leadership
          1. Pastor and the elders/deacons/boards must study worship in the Bible, as well as studying their people, and seek prayerful conclusions.
          2. Don’t let music committees make the decisions. This is a pastoral role. Must operate from a Biblical and God-centered view of worship.
          3. Corporate worship is the end goal.
        2. Communication
          1. The careful solicitation of points of view from members of the congregation, while not the last word on worship decisions which must be marked by the leadership, is an important step in leading the people as shepherds.
        3. Teaching
          1. Gotta be there and it has gotta be everywhere.
          2. The pastors and other leaders must promote a biblical understanding or worship in the public teaching ministry of the Church.
        4. Principle-based decisions
          1. Give grace to others with different applications.
          2. Stay true to the church
        5. Semper reformanda
          1. Always reforming, constantly put things under scrutiny.
    4. The Second Tower
      1. Theocentric: God centered is primary Rev. 19:10
      2. Dialogical: Dialogue between God and his people. Rhythm of revelation and response.
      3. Word Saturated
        1. The Word must be central in our worship.
        2. “praise Him according to His excellent greatness” Psalm 105:2, Psalm 56:4, 138:2.
        3. Expository exaltation.
      4. Participatory:
        1. Worship is the responsibility of all.
        2. “So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever.” Psalm 79:13, Romans 15:5-6
      5. Christ Centered
        1. Empowered by the Spirit
      6. Whole life worship
      7. Heart worship:
      8. Edifying worship
      9. Trans-generational worship
        1. Psalm 148: 12-13
      10. Taught Worship
        1. 1 Thess 4:1
    5. In the Old Testament “Come and See” worship was very prescribed.
    6. In the New Testament it is a “Go and Tell” worship, spread it out.
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