“Worship that’s a Witness”

Feb.7, 2010 1Cor.14:23-40   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●    WISH YOU WERE HERE

    ○    difference between ‘a good time at church’ and ‘worship’
    ○    contrast between ‘feeling’ and ‘understanding’ styles of worship

●    THE GOD-WARD DIMENSION OF WORSHIP

    ○    contact with God (14:24f)
    ○    sharing participation / replenishment in Christ’s body and blood (10:16)
    ○    remembering Jesus and His accomplishment for us (11:23-26)
    ○    withdrawal from the domain of the demonic (10:20f)
    ○    communication of God’s word (14:24,26)
    ○    intentional passing on of Christian teaching (11:2, 23)
    ○    convicting (14:24)
    ○    sober self-examination that frees from condemnation (11:28, 31)
    ○    acknowledge authority / find my place in subordination to God (11:3-12)
    ○    “If Christ were present...” - isn’t He?

●    THE OTHER-WARD DIMENSION OF WORSHIP

    ○    need to be broken like Mary’s vase
    ○    corporate - a gathering of the gifted (14:23,26; Mt 18:19f)
    ○    participatory (14:26)
    ○    orderly (14:33,40)
    ○    accountability (14:29,32)
    ○    respect and sharing - wait your turn (14:27, 31)
    ○    sharing in oneness together - grapes not marbles (10:17)

●    WORSHIP LIFTS A HEAVY HEART

    ○    strengthening (14:26)
    ○    best protection against enslavement to idolatry / immorality (ch.10)
    ○    culturally aware / relevant but not caged (14:35, 11:5,11; 1Tim 2:12)
    ○    caregiver found personal worship retreat elevating