The Need for WorshipGod desires that man worship and serve God desires that man worship and serve

Him only Him only (Psalms 95:6-7; Matthew 4:10) (Psalms 95:6-7; Matthew 4:10) His people must come together as a church His people must come together as a church

to worship Him to worship Him (1 Cor. 5:4; 11:18; Heb. (1 Cor. 5:4; 11:18; Heb. 10:25). 10:25).

We must do it in spirit & truth We must do it in spirit & truth (John 4:23-(John 4:23-24). 24).

It’s more than just having the right attitude It’s more than just having the right attitude and doing it the right way and doing it the right way (Joshua (Joshua

24:14)24:14). . Worship (Worship (proskuneoproskuneo)– "to make obeisance, )– "to make obeisance,

do reverence to" (from pros, "towards," do reverence to" (from pros, "towards," and kuneo, "to kiss")- [Vine’s]and kuneo, "to kiss")- [Vine’s]

Worship and FellowshipKoinoniaKoinonia– "communion, fellowship, sharing – "communion, fellowship, sharing

in common“ (Vine’s)in common“ (Vine’s)Worship is an expression of fellowship that Worship is an expression of fellowship that

we share in common with Christ and His we share in common with Christ and His body and not with denominations body and not with denominations (1 Cor. (1 Cor.

10:16). 10:16).

To maintain this fellowship with God and To maintain this fellowship with God and one another, we must abide in the one another, we must abide in the

teaching of Christ teaching of Christ (1 John 1:1-7; 2 John (1 John 1:1-7; 2 John 1:9-11).1:9-11).

This would include our acts of worship This would include our acts of worship together. together.

Fellowship in WorshipPraying to God through Jesus Christ Praying to God through Jesus Christ

(not to another god, saint, or (not to another god, saint, or human being) human being) (Acts 2:42; (Acts 2:42;

John 14:14; 1 Tim. 2:5) John 14:14; 1 Tim. 2:5) Singing and making melody in your heart to Singing and making melody in your heart to

the Lord the Lord (excludes instruments, choirs, (excludes instruments, choirs, concerts) concerts) (Ephesians 5:19; (Ephesians 5:19;

Colossians 3:16-17) Colossians 3:16-17) Giving with cheerful hearts on the 1Giving with cheerful hearts on the 1stst day day

(excludes another day or another way) (excludes another day or another way) (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7)(1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7)

Partaking of the Lord’s supper on the 1Partaking of the Lord’s supper on the 1stst day day (not eating food with brethren from (not eating food with brethren from

a kitchen) a kitchen) (Luke 22:7, 19-20; (Luke 22:7, 19-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23ff)Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23ff)

Fellowship in WorshipPreaching God’s word with boldness and Preaching God’s word with boldness and

clarity clarity (not by telling jokes or stories to (not by telling jokes or stories to please man or tell them what they want please man or tell them what they want to hear) to hear) (2 Tim. 4:2-4; Col. (2 Tim. 4:2-4; Col.

4:2-4; 1 Cor. 1:21-25) 4:2-4; 1 Cor. 1:21-25) Listeners should hear what is taught, Listeners should hear what is taught, examine it by the Scriptures, and make examine it by the Scriptures, and make application to their lives application to their lives (or if necessary (or if necessary correct the teaching)correct the teaching) (James 1:22; Acts (James 1:22; Acts

17:11; 18:24-26) 17:11; 18:24-26) But if we forsake assembling with the But if we forsake assembling with the saints, how can we claim faithfulness to saints, how can we claim faithfulness to

God? God? (Heb 10:25)(Heb 10:25)These are not suggestions, they are

commands.

ConclusionGod wants His people to worship Him in God wants His people to worship Him in

spirit and in truth which cannot be done spirit and in truth which cannot be done by ourselves or the way that we desire.by ourselves or the way that we desire.

God has given us specific commands for our God has given us specific commands for our worship together which must be followed worship together which must be followed

if we are going to have fellowship with if we are going to have fellowship with Him and go to heaven Him and go to heaven (Luke 6:46; Mt. (Luke 6:46; Mt.

7:21-23).7:21-23).If you have not worshiped as you should or if If you have not worshiped as you should or if

it has just become a ritual, as a Christian it has just become a ritual, as a Christian you can repent and be restored again you can repent and be restored again

(Rev. 2:5).(Rev. 2:5).If you need to baptized into Christ so that If you need to baptized into Christ so that

your sins can be forgiven, do it now your sins can be forgiven, do it now (Acts (Acts 22:16).22:16).