Public Worship

The Spirit of True Worship

How only can God be truly worshiped?

“God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.

How are we instructed to worship the Lord?

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 29:2. 

What attitude is indicative of a spirit of humility and of true reverence in worship?

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before our Maker.” Psalm 95:6.

Is singing a part of divine worship?

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4.

Does the Bible approve the use of musical instruments in the worship of God?

“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and the lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and the flute, praise him with the clash of the cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:3-5.

(See also Psalm 92:1-3.)

What gracious promise is made to those who wait upon the Lord?

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

Is Christ’s presence limited to large congregations?

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:24. 

Value and Joy of Public Worship

What were the psalmist’s feelings concerning public worship?

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” “Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

Psalm 122:1; 84:2, 10.

What admonition has Paul gives concerning assembling for public worship?

“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.”

 Hebrews 10:25. 

Does God take account of the associations of His people?

“The those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16,17.   

What caution is given regarding behavior in God’s house?

“Guard your steps when you go into the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.” Ecclesiastes 5:1. (See also 1 Timothy 3:15.)

Are offerings an appropriate part of divine worship?

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.” “Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them’ let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.” Psalm 96:8; 76:11. 

God’s Appointed Time

What day has God specially designed for public worship?

“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord.” Leviticus 23:3.  

How has God commanded us to keep this day?

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…. In it you shall not do any work.”

 Exodus 20:8-10. (See Isaiah 58: 13,14.

Will there be public worship in the new Earth?

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I will endure before me,” declares the Lord, ‘so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22,23.

Rules On Going To Church

1.  Go early to church. Not only be punctual, but also be in your place before the hour announced for the service to begin.

2.  Go in a reverent spirit. On your way remember where you are. Avoid lightness of manner and conversation on worldly topics.

3.  Before you enter and as you enter the church, breathe a silent prayer of invocation for the influence of the Holy Spirit.

4.  As you take your place, bow our head reverently in prayer for yourself and for all the others who enter the sanctuary.

5.  Resolve that you foster no thought, fix your eyes on no object, and utter no word that will tend to divert your mind from the purpose for which you have come into this place.

6.  As the minister enters the pulpit, offer an earnest silent prayer in his behalf.

7.  In all services take an active part, as hearer, as worshiper.