Bidor Gospel CentreThe Old Paths20th May (Friday) Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Scholarship21st May (Saturday) Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Headship Pt. 122nd May (Sunday) Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Headship Pt. 222nd May (Sunday) Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Worship

Introduction. A. Preliminary Notes on WorshipConfusion regarding worship: It is Response to Gods Attributes and Acts; not praying to Receive Gods Blessings and Benedictions.Conditions for Worship:Leviticus is a manual on worship for Israel in Rites and Rituals which are shadows pointing to the Reality of worshipping.Cf. Lev. 1:2

Approaching God to Worship Him isAn Offertory Cp. Deut. 16:16 Voluntary (1:3)

c)Compulsory (1:3)

d)Based on Ability to offer (1:4)e)Identity with the offering (1:4)f)Requiring Sanctity (1:4)g)Acceptability (1:4)If any man of you bring an offering.

If any man; Cp. he shall offer it of his own voluntary will.ye shall bring; Cp. let him offer cattle (1:2), of his flock (1:10), of his fowls (1:14), Every man shall give as he is able (Deut. 16:17)put his hand upon the head

Accepted...atonement (cf. Exo. 40:32)

accepted for him (cf. Eph. 1:6)

A. PRELIMINARY NOTES ON WORSHIPB. THE PROSTRATE POSTURE OF WORSHIP Or 1st occurrences of Worship in Scripture.Worship in the OT: 1st. occ. in KJV; Gen. 22:5 cf. 18:2Worship in the NT: 1st. occ. In KJV; Mt. 2:2Thus, Worship in Scripture is

shachah (Heb.) = to depress, i.e. prostrate.Strong

proskuneo (Gk.) = to crouch, i.e. prostrate.Strong

Thus, Worship in Scripture is:

a. To Bow in Homage to royalty or God; Strongb. To Bend down Humbly, i.e. fall down (flat)do obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop.Strongi. Cf. he ran to meet themand bowed (shachah) himself toward the ground. Gen. 18:2 [1st. occ.]ii. Cf. he bowed (shachah) himself with his face toward the ground.Gen. 19:1iii. Cf. they saw the young Child with Mary fell down, and worshipped (proskuneo) Him. Mt. 2:11 [Cf. 2:2] I Cor. 14:30The Posture of Worship is ever one of Reverence, and not of Revelry! (rose up to play) Exo. 34:8, ct. 32:6, 17-21 tsachaq, a prim. root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by impl. to sport:--laugh, mock, play, make sport

A. PRELIMINARY NOTES ON WORSHIP B. THE PROSTRATE POSTURE OF WORSHIP C. THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP1. To Adore the Attributes of the Lord Who He is. Bless the LORD, O my soul...bless His holy Name. Psa. 103:1 The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Exo. 34:6 Cf. Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! 2. To Appreciate the Acts of the Lord What He does.Bless the LORD, O my soul, forget not all His benefits Psa. 103:2 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin Exo. 34:7 Cf. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works Thy hand hath made.

C. THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP1. To Adore the Attributes of the Lord Who He is. 2. To Appreciate the Acts of the Lord What He does.3. To Appear before Him with Heads, Hands and Hearts Filled Full ready to Adore Him.My heart is inditing a good matter My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Cf. Psa. 45:1a. They shall not appear before the LORD empty. Deut. 16:16b. Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. (shachah)Exo. 34:8c. Theyfell down and worshipped Him: andpresented unto Him gifts. Mt. 2:11The Purpose of Worship is to bring Pleasure to God, and not to Please ourselves.

D. The Prerequisites of Worship. Jn. 4:20-24God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.The Worship of the Samaritans: it was local and Physical and it would Pass away.Womanthe hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.We do not need an Atmosphere and the Ambience of a place to worship.

1. The Worship of the Samaritans: it was local and Physical and it would Pass away.

2. The Worship of the Jews: it was ceremonial, pointing to Salvation through the Shadows. Jn. 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.[OT rituals and ceremonies] serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly thingsHeb. 8:5; 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come.Rites and Rituals of O.T. Approach to worship God have given place to the Rights of direct Access in the N.T. Heb. 10:19-22

F. PUTTING A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORSHIP AND THE LORDS SUPPER

The Concept of the Lords Supper is it a Worship Service?The Lords Supper is a Commission given to the Church by the Lord personally.I Cor. 11:23The early Church observed it on a regular basis first day of the week? Acts 2:42; 20:7 cf. I Cor. 16:1The Command is to Remember Him in His death, burial, resurrection and coming again.I Cor. 11:24-26Such a Remembrance will inevitably lead to a Reverence; the Reverse may not be true!

1. The Concept of the Lords Supper is it a Worship Service?

It is a Communion of saints in the participation of the symbols of bread and cup.I Cor. 10:16, 17It requires a Close self-examination of ones self before participation. I Cor. 11:28 cf. Mt. 5:23, 24Unworthy participation will be Chastised. I Cor. 11:29-32It is a Celebration (show, proclaim) and a Memorial (remember) Service.I Cor. 11:26Note: No such conditions are laid down for any worship service!

1. The Concept of the Lords Supper 2. The Context for the observation of the Lords Supper. I Cor. Chs. 11-14The Recognition of Gods Headship and Appointed Headships.The Responsibility of Spiritual Gifts and Open Opportunities for participation.The Requirement for Love to Govern all relationships and activities.The Rules of a Spirit-led orderly Gathering that edify the church.11:3, 4-16; 14:34, 3512:1-31

13:1-13

14:1-40

3. Ten Practical Pointers in Participation at the Lords Supper from I Cor. Ch. 14.

Speak clearly, intelligibly, distinctly and audibly that all may understand.Edify the Saints, not Self. Participant represents the church, not self.Speak, Sing, etc, in the Spirit and with understandingAgree to say Amen with the one participating.Participate not for Self-Satisfaction. Be Short and to the point.14:1-3, 6-13

14:4, 5

14:14, 15

14:16, 17

14:18, 19

3. Ten Practical Pointers in Participation at the Lords Supper from I Cor. Ch. 14.

f. Let all Take their Turn.g. Do not monopolies or regularlise. h. Speakers should be Subject to one another in the Spirit.i. Sisters to be Silent owning the Headship of the Lord in the Church.j. Do all things Decently and in order for the Glory of God as unto the Lord.

14:23-2614:27-3114:32, 33a

14:33b-37

14:38-40

Conclusion: Let us Return to the Old Paths of Biblical Worship.Church of the living God, Pillar and ground of truth, Keep the old paths the fathers trod In thy illumined youth.Lo, in thy bosom lies The touchstone for the age; Seducing error shrinks and dies At light from yonder page.Woe to the hands that dare, By lust of power enticed To mingle with the doctrine there The frauds of Antichrist.Once to the saints was givn All blessd Gospel lore; There, written down in words from Heavn, Thou hast it evermore.

Let us Return to the Old Paths of Biblical Worship.Fear not, though doubts abound, And scoffing tongues deride;Love of Gods Word finds surer ground When to the utmost tried. Toil at thy sacred text; More fruitful grows the field; Each generation to the next Prepares a richer yield.

Gods Spirit in the Church, Still lives unspent, untired, Inspiring hearts that fain would search The truths Himself inspired.Move, Holy Ghost, with might Amongst us as of old; Dispel the falsehood, and unite In true faith and true fold.Arthur J. Mason http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/c/h/u/churotlg.htm