Let Us Worship GodLet Us Worship God

The first foundation of The first foundation of righteousness is undoubtedly the righteousness is undoubtedly the

worship of God. – J. Calvinworship of God. – J. Calvin

Our Present LiturgyOur Present Liturgy• God calls us to worship Him (we worship with

awe and joy)• God calls us to confess our sins (we confess our

sins, God forgives us, and we resound with thanksgiving and praise)

• God proclaims His Word to us (we listen and offer our gifts and prayers)

• God feeds us at His table (we eat and drink with faith and joy)

• God commissions and blesses us (we bless Him also and march out to the needy world)

Why go to church on Sunday?Why go to church on Sunday?

Important questions:1. Why do you come together with other

believers on Sunday morning?2. Why does the church come together?3. What is the purpose of the service?4. What is the purpose of worship?5. What is suppose to happen?

More QuestionsMore Questions

6. Why do we do the things we do on Sunday? To what end? What is the point?

7. On Sunday service, what are you hoping to do? What are you hoping to give? What do you anticipate receiving? What do you expect to be accomplished as a result of your being at church?

8. Everyone comes to church for some reason. Do you come for the right reasons?

Four AnswersFour Answers

Q. What is the purpose of the Lord’s Day worship?

1. Evangelism2. Education/edification3. Exaltation (praise)4. Experience

Not ManipulationNot Manipulation

“…the purpose (and practice) of our Lord’s Day worship service must never degenerate into an attempt to engineer or manipulate some desired effect in the congregation. Worship must not be understood as a technique.”

- Jeffrey Meyers

Not TechniqueNot Technique

“The charge is feed my sheep not run experiments on my rats.” – CS Lewis

“When worship is reduced to pep rally for the pastor’s latest crusade or to a series of acts that contain the minister’s own hidden agenda, our concern for worship is called into question.” – William Willimon

Not man-centeredNot man-centered

“Every conception and form of liturgy that focuses on man will eventually degenerate into intellectual or psychological manipulation.” – J. Meyers

Worship is Covenant RenewalWorship is Covenant Renewal• A covenant is a “legal, structured

relationship” of mutual love, established by God, with attendant blessings (goal aimed at), discipline (towards repentance) and curses (when rebellion is not stopped)

• In worship, the Lord comes to be with His bride (the corporate church) and renews His covenant relationship with her

Lord’s ServiceLord’s Service

• The Lord comes to serve His Bride – this is the primary action

• The Bride responds in faith, love, worship and obedience – without this “reaction,” the full blessing offered by the Lord is not appropriated

• The Lord seeks to renew/strengthen the union and communion He has with His bride

• God calls us to worship Him (we worship with awe and joy)

• God calls us to confess our sins (we confess our sins, God forgives us, and we resound with thanksgiving and praise)

• God proclaims His Word to us (we listen and offer our gifts and prayers)

• God feeds us at His table (we eat and drink with faith and joy)

• God commissions and blesses us (we bless Him also and march out to the needy world)

Q. What is the purpose of the Q. What is the purpose of the Lord’s Day worship?Lord’s Day worship?

To renew our covenant with God, which includes the following:

• Evangelism – we hear the good news• Education/edification – the good news is

applied to us• Exaltation (praise) – we offer praises to

God• Experience – normal, ordinary, but no

less gracious or powerful

An “Ordinary” ExperienceAn “Ordinary” Experience

• God has not made us to live every moment base on the rush of adrenaline

• Let’s admit it: much of our life is lived on the ordinary and uneventful

• Let’s be wary of the effect of entertainment culture and media – exciting, dramatic, sound bites, many images

Result of Covenant RenewalResult of Covenant Renewal

• The Groom-Bride relationship (union and communion) is renewed and strengthened

• Steady growth in maturity• The Bride blessed, built up – in order to go

out into the world, bringing forgiveness and wholeness to every one and every sphere