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WORSHIP

Lesson 4

The word "worship" is from two Greek words defined as follows:
PROSKUNEO-to make obeisance, do reverence to (from PROS, towards, and KUNEO, to kiss).
LATREUO-to serve, to render homage is translated "to worship" in Phil. 3:3; Acts 7:42; Acts 24:14- W. E. Vine.

l. FALSE WORSHIP

A. Vain worship-Matt. 15:8-9. Worship that is empty, to no purpose, void of substance.

B. Will-worship-Col. 2:20-23. "Voluntary adopted worship, whether unbidden or forbidden, not imposed by others, but which one affects"-W. E. Vine.

C. Worship in ignorance, Acts 17.23. Worship in ignorance is to worship without understanding of the subject or will of that which is worshipped.

II. TRUE WORSHIP(John4:23-24)

A. God is the object of true worship (Matt.4:10;Rev.22:8-9).

1. Nature of God (Acts 17:22-31).

2. Failure to recognize God in His true character,
and to render proper homage to Him, plunged
the world into idolatry and moral and spiritual
degradation (Rom. 1: 18-25).

B. Character of true worship-in spirit.

I. Spiritual worship comes from a spiritual relationship
with God (IPet. 2:9-10; Heb. 13:15-16). Our attitude toward God and Man . All Christians are priests (I Pet. 2:5, 9)

2. Racial ties do not affect true worship;
for in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew
nor Greek (Gal. 3:26-29). The circumcision
is of the heart (Rom. 2:28; 2:29; Phil. 3:3).

C. The standard of true worship: truth.

1. The word of God is truth (John 17:17); therefore,
all worship, to be in truth must be measured by
that standard (Col. 3:17).

2. Under the first covenant all things in the worship
were cleansed and sanctified by the blood of
animals; but all things under the new covenant
have been cleansed and con- secrated by Christ's
blood (Heb. 9:1-23).

D. All worship must be offered according to the teaching of Christ.

1. All authority belongs to Christ, and all worship and
service must be according to His teaching (Matt. 28:
18-20). Note the word "all" in vs. 20.

2. The various acts of worship under the new covenant
through which praise and devotion are offered to
God are: Lord's supper, prayer, giving, singing,
preaching and reading His word.

Ill. THE PLACE TO WORSHIP

A. The Samaritans said, "in this mountain (Gerazim)"; The Jews said, "in Jerusalem" (John 4:20); men today say, "in a temple" or "in a sanctuary."

B. Jesus said, "Neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem (Jno. 4:21). The place is of no significance; it is the spirit that counts.

C. The early church met in "the temple" (Acts 2:46), in "houses ... .. upper room"-the place was incidental.

IV. THE DISPOSITION OF THE WORSHIPPER

A. He must have been cleansed by the blood of Christ to offer acceptable worship (Heb. 9:22).

B. The worshipper should come before God with reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28-29).

C. He should have a heart full of thanksgiving, joy, and gladness (Psalms 18:23; Psalms 95 and 96; Heb. 13:15-16).

CONCLUSION: The worship of the church of Christ has been designed by God and revealed in His word. It is sufficient to satisfy man's inner desire to express worship. It glorifies God because the true worshipper bends his will and life to the Father's will. It benefits the worshipper who responds in spirit and in truth.

INDEX

	1.	Nature of God (Acts 17:22-31).
	2.	Failure to recognize God in His true character, and to render proper homage to Him, plunged the world into idolatry and moral and spiritual degradation (Rom. 1: 18-25).

	I.	Spiritual worship comes from a spiritual relationship with God (IPet. 2:9-10; Heb. 13:15-16). Our attitude toward God and Man . All Christians are priests (I Pet. 2:5, 9)
	2.	Racial ties do not affect true worship; for in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gal. 3:26-29). The circumcision is of the heart (Rom. 2:28; 2:29; Phil. 3:3).

	1.	The word of God is truth (John 17:17); therefore, all worship, to be in truth must be measured by that standard (Col. 3:17).
	2.	Under the first covenant all things in the worship were cleansed and sanctified by the blood of animals; but all things under the new covenant have been cleansed and con- secrated by Christ's blood (Heb. 9:1-23).

	1.	All authority belongs to Christ, and all worship and service must be according to His teaching (Matt. 28: 18-20). Note the word "all" in vs. 20.
	2.	The various acts of worship under the new covenant through which praise and devotion are offered to God are: Lord's supper, prayer, giving, singing, preaching and reading His word.