The Worship of The Church
or Why We do What We Do

Introduction:

1. Quote I Peter 3:15.
2. Observe:
   a. What? "Sanctify the Lord God.."
   b. Where? "In your hearts."
   c. Why? - that you may "be ready to always give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you."
      (1) Christians have a hope cf I Pet. 1:3,4.
      (2) They have a reason for their hope.
   d. How? "With meekness and fear."
3. By way of application, we generally feel compelled to give an answer when people ask us what we are religiously, or what we
    believe one must do in order to be saved.
   a. These things would certainly be included in Peter's admonition. But more is involved.
   b.  In this lesson, I am referring to what we do when we come together to worship God, and why all people who share in the
        hope of the gospel namely, all Christians) should be involved in these things.

Discussion:
I. What Do we Do When We Assemble on the Lord's Day?

   A. We study the word of God.
      1. Acts 2:42; Matt. 16:19; Acts 20:7.
   B. We give of our means.
      1. I Cor. 16:1,2.
   C. We partake of the Lord's Supper.
      1. Matt. 26:26-28; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7.
   D. We spent time in prayer.
      1. Acts 2:42; Acts 4:23,24; Acts 12:1,2,5,12.
   E. We sing songs of praise to God. 1. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.

II. We are not, in this lesson, Discussing why we do not do other things in connection with these items. Such as:

   A. Why we don't spend time preaching from a human creed book.
   B. Why we don't use pie suppers, bazaars, or more sophisticated fund-raising schemes.
   C. Why we don't partake of the Lord's supper on any day except Sunday, or why we don't use something other than unleavened
       bread and the fruit of the vine.
   D. Why we don't pray to Mary, to some saint, or turn prayer into a mechanistic ritual of counting beads on some rosary.
   E. Why we don't use mechanical instruments of music in worship.

III. Why Do We:

   A. Study the word of God? Because:
      1. It is the word of God! Heb. 4:12.
      2. It is inspired of God. I Cor. 2:9-13.
      3. It is profitable. 2 Tim. 3:16.
      4. It is complete. John 16:13; 2 Pet 1:3.
      5. Obedience thereunto brings salvation. Matt. 7:21; Rev. 22:14.
      6. By it we shall be judged. John 12:48.
   B. Give of our Means? Because:
      1. It is commanded. I Cor. 16:1,2.
      2. It reflects the sincerity of our love. 2 Cor 8:8
      3. It enables us to follow the example of Christ 2 Cor 8:9.
      4. God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7.
      5. God blesses us the more abundantly. 2 Cor. 9:8.
      6. To increase the fruit of our righteousness. 2 Cor 9:10.
   C. Partake of the Lord's Supper? Because:
      1. Of What it is. It is:
         a. A memorial feast. Luke 22:19,20.
         b. A communion. I Cor. 10:16.
         c. A proclamation. I Cor. 11:26.
      2. Jesus told us to! Luke 22:19.
      3. It is a time for self-examination. I Cor. 11:28.
   D. Spend time in Prayer? Because:
      1. We are commanded to. I Thess. 5:17.
      2. In so doing, we follow the example of Jesus. Mk. 1:35; Lk. 6:12; John 18:1,2.
      3. There is power in prayer. Jas. 5:16.
      4. God is able to answer. Eph. 3:20.
      5. God does answer! I John 3:22.
      6. We receive strength from God. 2 Cor. 12:8,9.
   E. Sing songs of Praise to God? Because:
      1. God is worthy of our praise. Rev. 4:10,11.
      2. It is one thing we do here that we will do in heaven. Rev. 5:11,12.
      3. We teach and admonish one another. Col. 3:16.
      4. It reflects a heart filled with grace. Col. 3:16; cf. Ex. 15:1.
      5. It reflects a cheerful heart. Jas. 5:13.
      6. It reflects a spiritually minded person whose heart is in tune with God. Acts 16:13.

IV. Think of the Blessings we miss out on if:

   A. We forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
   B. We refuse to participate when we assemble.
   C. To illustrate this point (IV), we ask, in your own contacts with people, who appear to be the happiest? Who really seems to
        have it all together? Those who worship God, or those who neglect His worship?

Conclusion:

1. More reasons could be cited concerning why we do what we do when we come together to worship God. The reasons are so
    numerous and so valid that one wonders why any intelligent person would neglect to assemble, or why any intelligent person
    would refuse to participate.
2. But as we bring this lesson to a close, we also state that there are many reasons why alien sinners ought to obey the gospel,
    and why erring children of God ought to return to the Lord. I can think of many reasons why they should thus heed God, and no
    reasons why they should not!