WORSHIP IN THE WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH OF ACTSCHURCH OF ACTS

Penge Baptist ChurchPenge Baptist Church66thth June 2010 June 2010

The New Testament The New Testament purposespurposes• EvangelismEvangelism• WorshipWorship• DiscipleshipDiscipleship• MinistryMinistry• CommunityCommunity

What do we worship?What do we worship?

A sad Biblical historyA sad Biblical history• Moses’ call Moses’ call

for the for the Israelites to Israelites to leave Egypt leave Egypt and worship and worship God in the God in the desertdesert

• But they But they worshipped worshipped idols insteadidols instead

• Leading to Leading to exileexile

The promise fulfilled at The promise fulfilled at PentecostPentecost• Isaiah 56:7-8 “my house will be called a Isaiah 56:7-8 “my house will be called a

house of prayer for all nations.” The house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered”to them besides those already gathered”

• Acts 2:46-47 “They broke bread in their Acts 2:46-47 “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people” the favour of all the people”

What’s worship?What’s worship?• ““The act of glorifying God, in his The act of glorifying God, in his

presence, with our bodies and presence, with our bodies and spirits”spirits”

• Glorifying himGlorifying him• In his presenceIn his presence• With our bodies (singing, lifting With our bodies (singing, lifting

hands, clapping, playing instruments)hands, clapping, playing instruments)• ……and our spirits! “in spirit and truth” and our spirits! “in spirit and truth”

(John 4:24)(John 4:24)

The wonder of worshipThe wonder of worship• We delight in GodWe delight in God• He delights in us in our worship.He delights in us in our worship.• We draw near to God. Earth goes to We draw near to God. Earth goes to

heaven.heaven.• God draws near to us. Heaven comes God draws near to us. Heaven comes

to earth. to earth. • God ministers his grace, his mercy, his God ministers his grace, his mercy, his

love to us.love to us.• When we worship, God’s enemies flee.When we worship, God’s enemies flee.