Articles from August 2015

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service August 30, 2015:

XI. The Worship of the Church

Scripture: Psalm 29:2, John 4:21-24

A. The definition of worship

There are 3 Greek verbs translated by the one English word “worship”
The words are:
1. Proskuneo: “to bow or prostrate oneself in submissive lowliness and deep reverence”
2. Sebomai: “to look upon with awe”
3. Lalzeuo: “to render service for”

Worship:
– to ascribe worth to God
– An overflowing of the Spirit
– An outpouring of a person’s heart expressing joy and praise
– An occupation with the person of God

First Mention of worship in the Bible Genesis 22:5.  Abraham sacrificing Isaac to God

B. The importance of worship

The difference between Adam and all other creatures in the Garden was not in his size or strength, but in His ability to worship the Creator

C. The reasons for worship

1. We are to worship God for His work in creation. Psalm 95:6, Revelation 4: 10-11
2. We are to worship God for His work in Redemption. Revelation 5:9
“Contemplating God is the trigger that sets off worship”
3. God is completely worthy of our worship

D. The elements in Worship

1. Through the ministering of God’s word.
a. It should be studied. (Acts 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:15)
b. It should be read. (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3)
c. It should be taught. (Acts 2:42; Acts 6:7; Acts 12:24; Acts 18:28; Acts 19:20)
d. It should be preached. (2 Timothy 4:2)
2. Through the keeping of the ordinances
3. Through the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
4. Through the lifting up of prayers, intercessions, supplications, and thanksgiving
5. Through the offering up of sacrifices
a. The sacrifice of our Bodies (Romans 12:1)
b. The sacrifice of our Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
c. The sacrifice of our Good Works (Hebrews 13:16)
d. The sacrifice of our Substance (Philemon 4:18)

XII. The Stewardship of the Church

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 1 Peter 4:10

In the New Testament world a steward was a manager of a household or estate.  He was appointed by the owner and trusted to keep the estate running smoothly.

The estate responsibilities entrusted to us are threefold:

A. How we use our time.  Ephesians 5:16

B. How we use our talents

C. How we use our treasure (finances).  How we feel about our money?

1. I must recognize that money comes from God
2. I must recognize that money in itself cannot satisfy. Isaiah 55:1, 2
3. I must refuse to substitute silver for the Savior
4. I must believe that God will supply all of my needs that I cannot honestly provide myself. Matthew 6:31, Philemon 4:19
5. The pattern of Giving
6. The plan of giving.  Our giving should be systematic.  1 Corinthians 16:2
7. The paradox of giving
8. The Purpose of giving
a. That God’s work might be supported. 1 Timothy 5:17-18
b. That our lives might be blessed. Proverbs 3:9-10; Proverbs 28:20; Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38
c. That other Christians might be challenged. 2 Corinthians 9:2
d. That the Father might be glorified. 2 Corinthians 9:12
e. That needy saints may be provided for. Acts 11:29; 1 John 3:17
9. The privilege of giving.
*Whether we realize it or not, God does not need our money.  (See Psalm 50:12-15) But He has graciously allowed us to give back to Him – and actually get credit for it – that which is already His!
10. The pleasure for giving.

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday evening service August 23, 2015:

X.  The Ordinances of the Church

Ordinance:  A decree or command given by Christ Himself

The two ordinances given by Christ are the Lord’s Supper and Baptism:

A.  The Lord’s Supper

1. The Scriptures describing the Lord’s Supper:  Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:17-20; I Corinthians 11:23-34
2. The names for the Lord’s Supper
   1. The eucharist – (Greek word for the “giving of thanks”).  I Corinthians 11:24
   2. The eulogia – (Greek word for “blessing”).  I Corinthians 10:16 “the cup of blessing”
   3. The prosphora – (Greek word for “offering”).
   4. Communion – This name derives from I Corinthians 10:16, “the communion of the blood of Christ.”
   5. The breaking of bread – This expression is found in Acts 2:42 and is thought by some to refer to the Lord’s Supper.
3. The views concerning the Lord’s Supper
   1. Transubstantiation – The Roman Catholic doctrine which teaches that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ when consecrated by the priest during mass, even though they still look and taste the same.  Thus the one partaking literally eats Christ’s flesh and drinks his blood.  Needless to say, this is without scriptural support.  In fact, it is totally refuted by the book of Hebrews (7:24-27; 9:12, 24, 25, 28; 10:11-12).
   2. Consubstantiation – The Lutheran doctrine which teaches that, while the bread and wine remain the same, the presence of the body of Christ is nevertheless “in, with, and under” both elements.  While this error is not as severe as the above, it too is totally unscriptural.
   3. Memorialization – The doctrine which teaches that the bread and wine are mere symbols to remind and aid the believer in observing both the first and second comings of our Lord.  This practice is both scriptural and sensible (I Corinthians 11:24-26)
4. The Old Testament type of the Lord’s Supper
5. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s table involves a threefold look
   1. We are to look back.  “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death”  -I Corinthians 11:26
   2. We are to look inward.  “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of that cup.”  -I Corinthians 11:28
   3. We are to look forward.  “Till He come”  -I Corinthians 11:26
6. The partakers of the Lord’s Supper
   1. Only for believers
   2. For all believers
7. The prerequisites of the Lord’s Supper
   1. The unsaved and unclean (unresolved sin) are forbidden
8. The penalty of the Lord’s Supper
9. The frequency of the Lord’s Supper
   1. It should not be done in such a way as to become a habit

B.  Baptism

The term baptize is from the Greek word baptizo which means to dunk, to dip, to submerge, or to immerse.

Baptism:  “An act of obedience whereby the believer publicly identifies through immersion with Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.”

1.  Misconceptions about Baptism:

• Baptism is believed to be a part of salvation
• Baptism prior to salvation
• Baptism of infants

2.  The Purpose of Baptism:

• Identification with Jesus Christ – Declaring your faith
• Outward showing of what the Lord has done in your life
• Baptism is a sign of a commitment or allegiance to a new master and a new way of life
• Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord – Matthew 28:18-20
• Baptism needs to be considered as the next step after salvation
• Baptism signifies the believers’ inclusion in God’s family – Acts 2:41

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church