Introduction

• Worship is foundational to the life of a Christian.
• John 4:20-24 – Acceptable worship is in spirit and in truth.

There are two areas of worship – public and private.

• I Corinthians 6:19-20
• Public and private worship are both necessary.
• If we don’t worship privately, our public worship will be anemic.
• Psalms 113:3

God seeks worshippers.

• Acts 17:5
• Psalm 148 – All these things praise God by doing what they are supposed to do (and what they were designed to do).
• Philippians 2:10-11 – In this life is the only time we have a choice in whether or not to praise God.
• Ephesians 1:18 – Christians are God’s inheritance.

The meaning of worship.

• Malachi 1:6
• Psalms 29:2

The object or worship.

• Our Father is the object of our worship because He is the father of all the world by creation.
• Psalms 24:1
• God’s glory is intrinsic.
• II Corinthians 8:5

The essence of worship.

• John 4:24
• Two things are necessary: the right information and the right disposition.
• Do I have the right attitude when I worship?
• Colossians 3:16
• Acts 2:42
• II Timothy 2:15
• II Corinthians 8:5 – We must give ourselves to the Lord.

Conclusion

• The fuel of worship is the truth of God; the furnace of worship is the spirit of man. And if it is authentic, it will make it outside the building and all week. Let us have the disposition of Psalms 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at al times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” God seeks worship of people; angels and nature worship Him (Psalm 148). He wants people to want to worship Him. Worship is not a place or an event; it is a true faith praising God. Thus, let us say with the Hebrew writer, “Let us offer sacrifice and praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of our lips, giving praise to His Name.” (Hebrews 13:15).

Local churches are authorized to provide for needy Christians, continued

Objections, continued

• Galatians 6:10 – “The church should ‘do good to all people,’ not just Christians.”
  • The book of Galatians was written to a church, but not everything in the book is specific to churches.
  • Galatians 6:1-10 – Notice that this passage has been addressing individuals. The topic is how to help people caught in sin, but no church action is in the passage. Also notice that spiritual restoration is in the passage, but not material benevolence. Galatians 6:6 does not seem to be the right passage to use to justify paying a preacher.

What makes Benchley work

Introduction

• John 14:7-15

God spoke in a way that we could understand

• I Corinthians 2:6-13
• II Peter 1:13-15; 3:1
• John 20:30-31 – The written word is powerful and can cause readers to believe.
• Ephesians 3:4-6
• All these men thought the word of God could be understood!

We can still miss the meaning if we’re not careful.

• Luke 9:22, 43-45 – Jesus spoke plainly more than once, but they failed to understand it.
• I Corinthians 2:14; 1:22-24 – It’s possible I am not spiritually-minded enough to understand.
• Therefore, we must be objective and open-minded.

God views His message as an extension of Himself.

• Luke 6:46-49 – Hear God’s word and act on it.
• Numbers 20:6-11
• Habakkuk 2:18-20 – God is on His throne. We need to be quiet and listen to Him.
• Therefore, we must respect His message!
  • Acts 7:51-53

God’s word is the most important truth we have!

• Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:1-4 – How will we escape God’s judgment if we reject this message?

The women who supported Jesus and the apostles

• Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27:55-56
• Mary Magdalene
• Martha
  • Luke 10:38-42 – Compare Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Mary showed the correct priority, Martha did not. See also John 4:13-14.
• (Another) Martha
  • Matthew 16:24
• Joanna
• The woman who washed Jesus’ feet
  • Luke 7:36-50
  • Over time, we may forget how much we have been forgiven of and lose some of our love for God. We must be careful to not let that happen!
  • Proverbs 11:22; 12:4; 14:1; 19:14

Introduction

• Luke 5:8 → II Peter 1:16

Helping someone else starts with helping myself.

• Matthew 7:3-5
• Luke 22:61
• We are continual works in progress, so we can’t wait until we’re perfect to help others.

Courage to confront my own sins … so that I can help others do the same.

• Acts 26:18, 9

Learning God’s truth … so that I can help others do the same.

• I Timothy 4:15-16
• II Timothy 2:2, 14-15
• Acts 17:2-3

Wise decision-making … so that I can help others do the same.

• Colossians 1:9-11
• II Timothy 2:24-26

Zeal … so that I can help others do the same.

• Titus 2:14
• I Corinthians 12:14
• If everybody at Benchley was as zealous as me, what kind of church would it be?