UNITY: SHARED CORPORATE WORSHIP

1. UNITY: SHARED CORPORATE WORSHIP

2. Acts 2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

3. Acts 2:43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts 2:44And all that believed were together, and had all things common Acts 2:45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

4. Acts 2:46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

5. Shared, corporate worship – but is not unity damaged by our worship wars? Isn’t worship a part of the contention?

6. The accidents of worship – diversity! I’m using categories / terms / names from the 1500-1700s era. Accidents: the parts of worship that are not essential & tend to vary from place to place and time to time.

7. The accidents of worship – diversity! Examples: Time / times of worship: Number of songs: Number (if any) of special music: Order of service:

8. The accidents of worship – diversity! Examples: Language of service: Location: A building or no building:

9. II. The elements of worship – unity! The Scriptureregulates worship by command, teaching, & example. This is called the “regulatory principle.”

10. II. The elements of worship – unity! In the beginning of the church: 1. The elements were all there & in place 2. The elements were (then) & are (now) obvious.

11. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: Matthew 28:1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

12. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: Mark 16:1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. Mark 16:2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

13. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: Luke 24:1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

14. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: John 20:1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

15. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: Acts 20:6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.Acts 20:7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight

16. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: 1 Corinthians 16:1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

17. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: 1 Corinthians 16:3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

18. II. The elements of worship – unity! On the Lord’s Day: Revelation 1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day (τῇ κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ), and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

19. II. The elements of worship – unity! • The reading, explaining, & applying of Scripture! • Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. • Acts 20:7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

20. II. The elements of worship – unity! • The reading, explaining, & applying of Scripture! • Acts 17:1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:Acts 17:2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Acts 17:3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

21. II. The elements of worship – unity! • The reading, explaining, & applying of Scripture! • 1 Timothy 4:13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. • Colossians 4:16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be readalso in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

22. II. The elements of worship – unity! • The reading, explaining, & applying of Scripture! • 1 Thessalonians 5:27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. • Revelation 1:3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

23. II. The elements of worship – unity! B. Praying to the Lord! Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

24. II. The elements of worship – unity! C. Singing to the Lord! Acts 2:46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

25. II. The elements of worship – unity! C. Singing to the Lord! Matthew 26:30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Acts 16:25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26. II. The elements of worship – unity! C. Singing to the Lord! Ephesians 5:19Speaking to yourselves in psalms (ψαλμοῖς) and hymns (ὕμνοις) and spiritual songs (ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς),singing (ψάλλοντες) and making melody (ᾄδοντες) in your heart to the Lord;

27. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord This is found in all 3 forms in Scripture. Tithing to support the ministry. Giving to support missions. Sacrificing to help the poor.

28. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Acts 2:44And all that believed were together, and had all things common Acts 2:45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

29. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord 1 Corinthians 16:1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

30. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Corinthians 16:2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come

31. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord 1 Corinthians 16:3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me

32. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Philippians 4:10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Philippians 4:11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

33. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Philippians 4:12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

34. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.. Philippians 4:14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

35. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Philippians 4:15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only Philippians 4:16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

36. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Philippians 4:17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Philippians 4:18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

37. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Malachi 3:8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.Malachi 3:9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation.

38. II. The elements of worship – unity! D. Giving to the Lord Malachi 3:10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it

39. II. The elements of worship – unity! E. Greeting one another! Romans 16:16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 1 Corinthians 16:20All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

40. II. The elements of worship – unity! E. Greeting one another! 2 Corinthians 13:12Greet one another with an holy kiss. 1 Thessalonians 5:26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 1 Peter 5:14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

41. II. The elements of worship – unity! F. Observing the 2 ordinances! Acts 2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

42. II. The elements of worship – unity! F. Observing the 2 ordinances! Acts 20:7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

43. II. The elements of worship – unity! F. Observing the 2 ordinances! Acts 2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

44. II. The elements of worship – unity! In the beginning of the church: 1. The elements were all there & in place 2. The elements were (then) & are (now) obvious. 3. The elements are not the accidents! 4. The elements are easily reproduced and are portable!