PURPOSE OF WORSHIP

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Worship is both a privilege and the responsibility of the       
     Christian.
      1. God's people face several important responsibilities
         regarding worship.
         a. Presence - to worship regularly as commanded is
            important.
         b. Purpose - to worship accurately as commanded is
            important.
         c. Participation - to be responsive in worship is important.
   B. Is worship a wise investment of time and effort?
      1. Indeed, true worship is the highest and noblest activity.
      2. In this lesson, let's look at the purpose of worship.

I. TO OBTAIN FULLER KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
   A. Ignorance and true worship are incompatible.
      1. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, "You do not know what
         you worship." John 4:22
      2. Paul so charged the Athenians. Acts 17:22-23
   B. We must know God. John 17:3; Heb. 8:10-11
      1. To know God means to know more than certain facts about
         God.
   C. Those who worship God regularly come to know God better than
      the non-worshiper.
      1. For example, in our worship at the present, we emphasize
         some basics of the nature of God from John 17.
         a. The only true God, vs. 3.
         b. The Eternal God, v. 5.
         c. A personal God, vs. 8. He is a person, not some
            mysterious force.
         d. A Father, vs. 20-21. Six times in this prayer, Jesus     
            called God, "Father."
         e. A God of love. 23,26.
   D. Our continual worship of God helps us to know God. He does
      not remain a stranger to us.

II. TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD.
   A. We need to draw near to God. James 4:8
   B. We must come with true hearts. Heb. 10:22; Psalm 34:18
      1. We draw near in song. Psalm 146:1-2
      2. We draw near in prayer. Heb. 13:15; Psalm 145:18
      3. We draw near in the Lord's Supper.
         a. It is a memorial of solemn event. 1 Cor. 11:23-26
         b. It is a communion (sharing) of the body and blood of
            Christ. 1 Cor. 10:16-22
         c. It is a union of minds. 1 Cor. 11:27-29
            (1) It is probably the only time when all of our minds
                are centered on one thing.
   C. True worship is an important and excellent way to draw near to
      God.
      1. We should delight to approach God.
      2. Friendship with God rests with us.

III. TO REINFORCE OUR HOPE.
   A. The hope of the Christian is:
      1. The hope of the resurrection. Acts 23:6; 24:16; 1 Thess.
         4:16-18
      2. The hope of salvation. 1 Thess. 5:8
      3. The hope of eternal life. Titus 1:2; 3:7
      4. The hope of being like Christ. 1 John 3:23
   B. Hope is based on the promises of God. Heb. 10:23; 6:11-19a
      1. Faith and hope are closely related. Heb. 11:1
      2. When we have true hope, we eagerly wait for the object of
         our hope. Rom. 8:24-25
      3. Our hope of heaven is a "living hope." It is alive and       
         vibrant. 1 Pet. 1:3-4
   C. Our hope needs to be strengthened and renewed, and what better
      way than in our worship?
      1. Worship reminds us of God's reality.
      2. Worship reminds us of God's promises.
      3. Worship reminds us of God's power.
      4. Thus, worship encourages us to hold fast to our hope.

IV. TO RECEIVE STRENGTH.
   A. We come to worship both to give and to receive. Heb. 10:24
      1. We are to stir up, provoke, stimulate, motivate to:
         a. Love - We promote good will, concern, and interest in
            one another.
         b. Good works - We plan good works that we can do
            together. We encourage one another to keep busy in
            doing good.
   B. It is impossible to "stir up" and to be "stirred up" when we
      forsake our worship assemblies.
      1. Thus, vs. 25. We are not to forsake any of our worship
         services.
         a. Some brethren say that the word "forsake" refers to
            forsaking altogether and cannot be applied to when a
            person misses only one service.
            (1) However, the word sometimes refers to just one
                forsaking. 2 Tim. 4:16; Matt. 27:46
         b. Some brethren say that the verse refers to the
            "assembly" - only the Lord's day morning service.
            (1) Actually, the word "assembling" is a verb and
                refers to the act of assembling. It refers to the
                coming together of the saints.
         c. Some brethren say the word "day" refers only to the
            Lord's day; example, we need to increase our efforts
            when we see the Lord's day coming. Thus, again, they
            claim that one only needs to attend on the Lord's day.
      2. The "exhorting" in the verse seems to be referring to the
         "exhorting" which is done in the assembly.
         a. Many of the old commentators take the position that
            "the day" refers to the destruction of Jerusalem - that
            the Hebrews, by the signs of Matt. 27 and Luke 21,
            could see it approaching.
         b. It probably refers to "the Day" of the Lord - His second
            coming.
            (1) Our salvation is nearer than when we first
                believed. Rom. 13:11-12; James 5:7-9; 1 Pet. 4:7-
                9
            (2) Also, as we get older, we begin to see the need for
                exhortation to love and good works "so much the
                more."
                (a) The end of our life may not be a long way off
                    for any of us. It can't be a long way off for
                    some of us. Psalm 90:12

V. TO BEAR FRUIT.
   A. We are to bear much fruit (John 15:8) and to be full of good
      fruits (James 3:17).
   B. To worship regularly is to bear fruit.
      1. We give God the worship that He seeks.
      2. We grow and develop spiritually.
      3. We set a good example.
      4. We hold fast our allegiance, profession, and hope.
      5. We put he kingdom first.
      6. We fulfill our duties to others.
      7. Its part of being ready, watching, and waiting.

Concl.
   A. Thus, worship is a wise investment of time and effort. Why do  
      we worship?
      1. To obtain a fuller knowledge of God.
      2. To draw near to God.
      3. To reinforce our hope.
      4. To receive strength.
      5. To bear fruit.
   B. Let us be glad for the opportunity to worship God. Psalm 122:1
      1. Let us take advantage of this great privilege and afford
         ourselves of the many blessings derived from it.

Chart:
PURPOSE OF WORSHIP

To Obtain Fuller Knowledge of God

To Draw Near to God

To Reinforce Our Hope

To Receive Strength

To Bear Fruit