Exaltation / Worship

Summary of Biblical Principles

Oak Lake Berean Church
Interim Pastor, Gordon Simms

Introduction
The problem most churches face is not that they dont anything; they do plenty. The problem is that they often dont do the right things. What ARE the right things? We have focused on Biblical principles related to the nature and purpose of the Church. Rather than pull out a bag of tricks and programs that will get people into our church, we have focused on what the Scriptures teach about church health. When a church is healthy, it will grow. But, what is a healthy church, and whats growth look like? Proper Church health is possible only when we conform to Gods idea of what the Church IS and what the Church Does.

What the Church IS

Ekklesia: ek (out from) kaleo call : called out ones Of the 114 occurrences of ekklesia in the New Testament, it has two major applications to assemblies of Christians.... Invisible : the whole community of redeemed in this present age of which Christ said, A I will build my Church,@ which is His body ( Eph.1:22; 5:23) Visible: company consisting of professed believers in Christ ( Acts 20:20; I Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:13; I Thess. 1:1) Biblical Pictures: The church is likened to salt, light, sheep, a bride, a spiritual temple, a household, members of Christs body, branches in the vine, athletes, soldiers, and heavenly lights, children of God, adopted sons, priests, servants, bondslaves, stewards, and partners with Christ, just to name a few. There are over eighty images or figures of the church. All these pictures never suggest that the church is a physical building. The Church is people!
While there is no technical definition in the scriptures, we can come to somewhat of a definition based on the Biblical word, and the Biblical pictures.

What the Church is to DO

One Purpose: Glorify God ! The great purpose of the church is to be to the praise of Gods glory and grace (Eph. 1:6, 12). What does it mean for us to glorify God? We cannot add to His glory, for He is already perfectly and infinitely glorious. Rather, for us to glorify God means for us to ascribe to Him the worthiness due His name. When we give God glory we essentially are saying: He gets the credit. He is the only One worthy to receive credit. Everything we do, we do it so He gets the glory.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Rom. 11:36

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How does the Church Glorify God ?

God has established certain objectives in order for the church to bring glory to Him. The Church glorifies God by intensely pursuing His objectives for the church. But we must know what they are and be committed to carrying them out. So, what are they? God calls the church to Exalt Him, Edify the Body, and Evangelize the lost.

Which objective (exaltation, edification, evangelism) is most important?

To fulfill these God-given objectives, the church must follow the mandate of our Lord. There is ONE MANDATE: Make disciples ! All other commands (go, teach, win the lost, baptize, feed the hungry, etc.) are subordinate to Jesus main command: Make Disciples ! What kind? His command is expanded in 2 Tim. 2:2, and Eph. 4: Discipleship is the process in which a believer in Christ is becoming more like Christ increasing in the knowledge of Christ and able to minister to others who will be able to do the same thing. The process of discipleship involves a relationship where a spiritually minded person uses the Word of God to teach reprove, correct and train a learner in Christ in order that he/she becomes increasingly more like Christ. Biblical success for a church should never be measured in bodies, bucks, and buildings, or names, numbers, and noses, or in action, activities, and busy agendas, or even in the presence of sound beliefs and teaching. Even a casual reading of the letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 make this clear. Our agenda (priorities, allotment of time, and activities) are to be ordered by the Word of God, not by the agendas of people following their cultural expectations set by the traditions of men.
Our church has developed a Mission Statement based on the 3-fold purpose of the Church, and the mandate of our Lord.

Thats like asking which leg of the stool is most important? Which one would you rather not have?

Everything the church does must revolve around these purposes (the 3-Es), and our Lords command to make disciples!

How do we carry out this mission statement ?

We must clearly understand what Exaltation, Edification, and Evangelism is! We should then flesh out the Biblical principles in clearly stated objectives and goals.

All activities and programs should flow from these objectives / goals.

We will look first at Exaltation

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Exaltation / Worship
Ironically, one of the most divisive issues in church life today is over worship. But, the controversy centers around the METHOD....how we worship. (What instruments we will use? What songs will we sing? Hymns, choruses, traditional, contemporary? Will we use the video screen or hymnals? Will we have a worship band, or piano and organ? ) Thats where most of the literature and seminars today focus. Unfortunately, many churches dont think biblically; they simply do worship programs . During a 1954 interview, A.W. Tozer was asked what he thought would awaken the church from its complacency in worshipping God. This was his response: In my opinion, the great single need of the moment is that light-hearted superficial religionists be struck down with a vision of God high and lifted up, with His train filling the temple. The holy art of worship seems to have passed away like the Shekinah glory from the tabernacle. As a result, we are left to our own devices and forced to make up the lack of spontaneous worship by bringing in countless cheap and tawdry activities to hold the attention of the church people. Why dont people worship God as they should? How does warped thinking about worship happen? In Romans 1, Paul speaks of the pagan who worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, and they exchanged the truth of God for a lie (v. 25). All warped thinking begins with a rejection of the truth God has revealed about Himself. Exchanging the true of God for a lie leads to a warped lifestyle. Wrong worship leads to wrong behavior. So, when people do NOT respond properly to truth God has revealed about Himself (neither glorify Him or give thanks") the result is they become foolish, and their hearts are darkened. So, worship begins with understanding who God is, and what He has revealed about Himself. In other words, when we reject the truth God has revealed, the result is warped lifestyle. The only way to avoid warped worship, is to respond correctly to the truth God has revealed.

What is Biblical worship?

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What Worship IS
Biblical Words

Old Testament Shachah bow, stoop, crouch, fall down, beseech humbly, and do reverence. (Gen.18:2; 27:29; 33:3, 6, 7; 37:10) barak to kneel down, i.e., to be or go to a stance in which one is on the knees as contrasted with standing on the feet (2Chron. 6:13; Ps 95:6) halal the root meaning is connected with making a noise; the whole of the Bible is punctuated with outbursts of praise. (Gn. 1; Ps. 104:31; Pr. 8:3031), all creation, including the angels, expresses its joy in praise (Job. 38:47; Rev. 4:611)

New Testament Proskuneo to bow down or prostrate, (1 Corinthians 14:2425 ); to kiss toward, to kiss the hand, in humble adoration. Latreuo priestly service, used of Paul applying the priestly service in the Old Testament to the believers offering God a living body, set apart to God in an act of worship (Rom. 12:1). Sebomai/eusebia to reverence or fear God (1 Tim. 2:10; 5:4; 2 Pet. 1:3; 3:11; Acts 18:13; 19:27) Latreuo rendering honor, or paying homage,to kneel before in adoration (Matt 28:9; Acts 10:25,26 ) Eulogeo to speak well of (our word eulogize) to praise God acknowleging HIs goodness with desire for His glory (Luke 24)

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Biblical Pictures
Several concepts are seen in the both Old and New Testaments that help us understand Gods idea of worship. In the Old Testament
The Pentateuch: more than just a history of Israel.
Genesis God made man in his own image to have fellowship with Himself. Man enjoyed that fellowship as long as he trusted and obeyed God. But when man ceased to trust and obey God that fellowship was broken by sin. God then proceeded to demonstrate to fallen man that He is trustworthy, faithful. Exodus The sovereign God of heaven had taken a people in slavery, delivered them in power, made a covenant with them, and established them into a nation under God on earth. Leviticus The proper response of the redeemed sinner to a holy God is worship. Leviticus illustrates how sinners can have fellowship with a holy God. It is only as God provides a way for sinners to approach God in holiness. (Day of Atonement points to Christs finished work for us)

Exodus: Worship is the proper response to God following redemption (Exodus 15 follows Exodus 14 !) Redeemed from Egyptian slavery True Worship acknowledges Gods supremacy by affirming who He is and what He has done (Exodus)

The Sacrificial System in Leviticus Worship is approaching and having fellowship with the Holy God because of His provision of forgiveness through Christ the focus is giving not getting the focus is God not self What made the tabernacle so special? Gods Presence! (Exodus 40) (not the furniture in the tabernacle!) It illustrates that God desires intimate fellowship among His people, and He has provided a way for His people to worship Him in holiness.

In the New Testament

Luke 24 Worship (vs. 52) is the response to the revealed truth about Christ and His words in vs. 48, 49! Its also significant that the disciples obedience is related to their worship (52). Acts 2:42-47 This passage illustrates the early church worshipping consistently and regularly, not simply in a place (the temple), but as a lifestyle, because now the temple of God was not a building, but in believers! (Acts 7:44-49)
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Biblical Principles:

What can we learn about what worship is from the Biblical words and pictures ?

Summary: What worship IS

The words for Worship indicate that worship is To bow in heart reverently before God Offering to Him ourselves in service Loudly proclaiming His matchless worth The pictures in the Old and New Testament reveal that worship is A holy response of redeemed people to God Fellowship with a holy God because of His provision of forgiveness through Christ Intimate fellowship in Gods presence A response to the revealed truth about Christ Connected to obedience to God

What Worship IS
To bow in heart reverently before God Offering to Him ourselves in service Loudly proclaiming His matchless worth

Then the implication is

Reverence is both quiet stillness before God as well as joyful celebration The condition of our heart in worship is linked to public proclamation Worship is not getting something from God to "meet your needs" The redemption story is linked to proper worship True worship is only possible for the Redeemed focus on His works for us, not our work for Him He should have supremacy in our lives as we worship Our minds and hearts should focus on the nature and character of God We must continually recognize and rejoice in the finished work of Christ The redemption story is linked to proper worship Where we worship is not as important as WHO we are worshipping Consistent fellowship with God is foundational to true worship of God Worship is a verb, not a noun Worship is something we do, not something we feel When we walk in disobedience, we cannot worship properly Our minds and hearts should focus on the nature and character of God True worship will focus on His works for us, not our work for Him True worship must be linked to the exposition of Biblical truth Preaching is more than just a teaching/preaching time, added to worship time
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The believers proper response to God following redemption Acknowledging Gods supremacy by affirming who He is and what He has done

Approaching and having fellowship with the Holy God because of His provision of forgiveness through Christ

Worship is intimate fellowship in the presence of God

If worship is service unto God

Worship is connected to obedience True Worship acknowledges Gods supremacy by affirming who He is and what He has done

True Worship is a response to revealed truth about God

HOW do we worship ?
Does it matter HOW we worship ?
We must worship in a way that is prescribed by God. God will not accept deviant worship.
Examples
Gen. 4 Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Heb. 11:4 4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. Ex. 32 In Exodus 32, God destroyed thousands of Israelites. Then he said to them, This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor. 28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. 35 And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. Lev. 10 Aarons sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. I Sam. 13:8-14 And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 11 What have you done? asked Samuel. Saul replied, When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12 I thought, Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORDs favor. So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering. 13 You acted foolishly, Samuel said. You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORDs command. 2 Sam 6 In Numbers 4:5,6God has given the clear directions for transporting the Ark of the Covenant Uzzah, being a Kohathite, had one task, to transport the Ark of Covenant.) 6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The LORDs anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.

Able did not trust God, and therefore God rejected his sacrifice. Simply offering a sacrifice wasnt enough. God was displeased with all the offerings of the people supposedly worshipping Him.

These priests acted contrary to Gods directions about how He is to be worshipped, and they suffered severe consequences. Saul decided to usurp the role of a priest. He departed from Gods prescribed method of worship and cost his decendants the throne. The harshness of Gods discipline must be seen in the light of His absolute holiness which requires that sacred tasks be done in a sacred manner

John 4 There are MUSTS when it comes to worshipping God !

Worshipping God in any way at all is not what Jesus Himself said. Those who worship God MUST worship Him in the way He has prescribed.

No matter how pure our motivation may seem or how sincere we are in our attempts, if we fail to worship God according to His revelation, Pg.7 He will not accept it !

HOW we MUST worship God

Principles in the OT
Worship is the proper response to God following redemption (Exodus/Leviticus) Where we worship is not as important as WHO we are worshipping (Every one of the precise directions God gave for temple worship was to draw their attention to His greatness, majesty and holiness.) The Sacrificial System in Leviticus illustrates: Worship is approaching and having fellowship with the Holy God because of His provision of forgiveness through Christ -the focus is giving not getting -the focus is God not self Worship was an act of service focused on God, never to be an empty ritual.
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. (Amos 5:21-22).

True worshippers worship with their hearts, not just their mouths. The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. (Is 29:13)

Principles Jesus taught

John 4:19-24

Acceptable Worship Is Worship in Spirit

When our Lord told the Samaritan woman, ALL those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (vs. 24), He did not intend us to put a capital s in spirit. The Samaritan woman, as did many Jews, thought that worship was essentially a matter of externals. She was preoccupied with a central place of worship: this mountain (verse 20). The Jews thought of worship in terms of sacrifices, rituals, observances and holy days. The essence of true worship is internal (in spirit) not external. This is necessitated by the nature of God Himself. God is spirit being; thus, we must worship consistent with His nature.

Acceptable Worship Is Worship in Truth

As countless others, the Samaritan woman worshiped in ignorance; she worshiped what she knew not (vs. 22). Acceptable worship can never be that which we deem best; it must be a response to the truth, the divine self-disclosure of God. Our Lord Jesus personified Gods truth (John 14:6) and so men could worship Him in truth. If our worship today is not firmly based on the truth of God revealed in the Scriptures, it is ignorant worship, unacceptable to God.

Implications of Jesus words:

True worship of God is not an activity confined to a specific time, place and form Worship is not primarily an external activity Worship is to flow from the inside out The crucial factor in worship is not the form of worship but the condition of the heart

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Principles in the Acts and the Epistles

God Is the Enabler of Acceptable Worship Romans 11:36, all things are of Him and through Him and unto Him. Just as God has initiated worship, so He continues to enable us to worship through the agency of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26; Philippians 3:3). It is impossible to worship God without the Holy Spirits indwelling and enabling . It is impossible to worship God without the Holy Spirits indwelling and enabling.

God Is the Object of Acceptable Worship

Isaiah 42:8- I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not share my glory with another or my praise to idols. Worship is rightly focused on the Father. God was worshiped through the Son while He was on the earth. In ancient times, God forbade the use of images or idols because they could not begin to adequately represent God to men. But Jesus Christ is the full representation of God to men; He is the express image, the perfect likeness of the Father (Colossians 1:15). Our Lord could say that those who had seen the Son had seen the Father (John 14:9).

Acceptable Worship focuses upward it is God-centered, not man-centered.

Believers are challenged to offer their bodies to God : this is called acceptable worship
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spiritual act of worship.(Romans 12:1) A Christians body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). The word offer is translated present (Rom. 12:1) and yield (6:13, 16, 19). The word bodies, mindful of the Old Testament sacrifices, represents the totality of ones life and activities, of which his body is the vehicle of expression. In contrast with Old Testament sacrifices this is a living sacrifice. Such an offering is holy (set apart) and pleasing to God. Furthermore, it is spiritual worship.

A believers offering of his/her total life as a sacrifice to God is therefore holy service, acceptable worship.

Believers do not worship simply by going to the temple they ARE the temple!
Acts 7:48- the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands 1 Cor. 3:9-we are Gods fellow workers; you are Gods field, Gods building. 1 Cor. 3:16- Dont you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and that Gods Spirit lives in you? 2 Cor. 6:16- For we are the temple of the living God. Personal Worship: a lifestyle not just an event

Since believers are Gods temple, we can worship God anywhere, individually and corporately.

Acts 2:42, 46 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart. Heb. 13:15-Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praisethe fruit of lips that confess his name.
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The Bible teaches that believers gather for.

Corporate Worship
The Early Church met together
We dont find the church having meetings (a meeting- a noun, an event). But we find the church meeting (a verb something you do) (focus on the function). Hebrews 10:25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Acts 20:7 And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. 1 Corinthians 11:18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching. Let all things be done for edification.

The New Testament speaks nothing of church having meetings but speaks much about the Church meeting !

Corporate worship in the New Testament

Orderly Worship 1 Cor. 14:26,33 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. Giving Praise and Thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15; Col. 1:12; 3:15-17). Believers need to be taught and challenged to live by praise and thanksgiving as they share together in the riches of Christ. To encourage this, the church needs some public opportunity to express its adoration to God individually as well as corporately. Heb. 13:15; 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praisethe fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (context- body functioning, gathering) Col. 3:15-17 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Pg.10

 Singing and Making Melody Eph. 5:19; 15 Be very careful, then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). As with all other aspects of worship, music must be the product of spirit-motivated expression to God and should be designed to encourage and unite hearts together in adoration of Him. Observing the Lords Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-24) We know from the early chapters of the book of Acts that initially the Christians observed the Lords Table daily (Acts 2:42, 46). Apparently, this practice did not continue indefinitely but settled down to a weekly remembrance at the church meeting (cf. Acts 20:7). From early church writers it is evident that the Lords Table was considered central in their worship. Later church history continues to support the high regard in which the Lords Table was held. Prayer Acts 2:42, 46 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Intercession and Petition (Eph. 6:18-19; Col. 4:2-3, 12; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:1f). Effectual prayer for others, for oneself and family, for the nation and its leaders, and for the ministry of the church is crucial to all that the church is and does. Confession (1 Cor. 11:28; 1 John 1:9; Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:13). Believers should be encouraged to keep short accounts with God in order to keep a conscience void of offense and stay in fellowship for the purpose of Gods glory, effective prayer, meaningful worship, biblical understanding and growth, and effective ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit. Teaching/preaching The Word of God must be faithfully taught: (a) inductively, (b) exegetically, and (c) expositionally. (Ezra 7:10; Acts 20:20; Col. 1:28;2 Tim. 4:1-3).) Gods people must worship in spirit and truth, and the teaching of the Word of Truth is crucial. Acts 2:42, 46 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart. Acts 20:13-36 Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up Discipline Matt. 18:15, 20; Gal. 6:1- 4;1 Cor. 5. It is vital for the purity, power, progress, and purpose of the church. Without this restorative minitry, conditions continue which defile, weaken, hinder, and divert the church from its holy calling. However, discipline must be carried out with biblical attitudes, motives, and goals. Baptizing (Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism is to be a public demonstration of a believers faith, understanding of his or her position in Christ with its ramifications, and this includes commitment to walk with Christ in newness of life. Giving money Involved giving monies to the Lord through the churchNOT to the church for the Lord. 1 Cor. 16:1-4- Now about the collection for Gods people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income (cf. Acts 2:42, 45) Ultimately, giving is an act of worship. (2 Cor. 8:5.And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with Gods will.)

How should believers give money?

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Guidelines for Giving

By Gods Grace : Through fellowship with Him, giving is to be the product of Gods grace working in the life so that it first produces a commitment of ones total life to God with giving as an overflow of that previous commitment (2 Cor. 8:1-2, 6-7; 9:9-11). Biblical giving is never done out of constraint, but always done willingly and cheerfully. not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). In faith: He has promised to supply all our needs; our giving will not be our lack (2 Cor. 9:7f; Phil. 4:19). Purposefully: We are to give from careful and prayerful planning. Let each one do just as he has purposed (planned beforehand) in his heart (2 Cor. 9:7). Regularly: On the first day of every week helps promote diligence and disciplined giving. This creates a consistency and regularity that translates good intentions into actions (1 Cor. 16:2). Personally: Let each one of you brings out the need for every believer to take giving as a personal responsibility for which God holds us each responsible (1 Cor. 16:2). Systematically: Put aside and save brings out the need to have a method or system whereby money for the Lords work is specifically set aside, stored up for giving, so that it is not used for other things (1 Cor. 16:2). Proportionately: In the New Testament, set amounts of compulsory giving (as in the tithe) have been replaced by the grace principle of voluntary, purposeful, and proportionate giving. The new standard for today is as He may prosper (1 Cor. 16:2), they gave of their own accord (2 Cor. 8:3), it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality (cf. 2 Cor. 8:12-15, Mark 12:41-44), and let each one do not under compulsion (2 Cor. 9:7).

One final question: Who is to worship?

God is seeking men and women to be worshipers of Himself
Worship is the goal of missions, because Gods desire is to bring the nations into enjoyment of Gods glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God. The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! (Ps 97:1). Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! (Ps 67:3-4). Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. (Ps 150:6)

But only those who belong to Him are able to worship Him
It is impossible for an unsaved person to worship God, because he is the natural man Paul speaks about. He cannot worship God. (1 Cor. 2:14-The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.) Although unbelievers cannot truly worship, they can watch believers worship. They can observe the joy that we feel. They can see how we value Gods Word and how we respond to it. They can hear how the Bible answers the problems and questions of life. They can notice how worship encourages, strengthens, and changes us. The Bible teaches that as a nonbeliever observes genuine, authentic worship, God will speak to his or her heart. But if some unbelieving outsiders walk in on a service where people are speaking out Gods truth, the plain words will bring them up against the truth and probe their hearts. Before you know it, theyre going to be on their faces before God, recognizing that God is among you (1 Corinthians 14:25 ). In other words, the early church gathered to worship. They did not meet to reach unbelievers. They met to worship. But, apparently, unbelievers were welcomed, and were a part of their gathering. But, until unbelievers clearly heard the gospel message, and responded in faith, believing in Christ, they were still unregenerate, and unable to worship along with the believers. The key is to worship in such a way that the focus is so God-ward that unbelievers hearts are drawn to HIM, not to a program geared to entertain them!

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Heres What weve looked at: Heres WHY weve looked at these Biblical principles:

How do we apply these principles to our lives and our local church ?
Our church should seek to continually set objectives and goals, and plan programs that are in conformity with our mission statement and the biblical principles that form the basis for that mission. Weve looked at the biblical principles regarding exaltation / worship. Now, we will trust God to help us apply those principles by specifying clear, written objectives that will enable us to carry out those principles! Heres a sample of how well seek to apply the biblical principles:
Purpose Specifies the why of our activities Biblical basis for what we do Our overall stated purpose Example: To glorify God with an upward focus We purpose to exalt our Lord Objective A broad statement of intent (what we want to accomplish) Abstract What you want to see happen to fulfill your stated purpose Example: Objective # 1: To facilitate Godcentered vibrant worship, joyfully celebrating and magnifying His character and works in ways which engage both the heart and the mind (John 4:24) Goal A Narrow statement of intent Concrete Specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, time-bound Example: Conduct a monthly meeting of the worship team at the church at which time the work is reviewed, ideas and observations are shared and accountability is strengthened, beginning ______ Methods/Activities The programs and activities to carry our stated goals Specific clear plans for how the goal will be carried out

Specifies the who, what, where, when, and how.

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Copyright G. Simms, 2012