Introduction
We are often asked this question by visitors:
Why do we worship as we do? This little outline is intended to show that we are
not simply doing it for the sake of being different – but rather we are
self-consciously seeking to apply scriptural principles in our worship.
 There is nothing more important in life than worship.
 We all worship something or someone. The only question is whether we
will worship the right One in the right way. 

 At NWMBC we want all of our life to be worship to God (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:31).
He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power (Rev. 4:11). In particular,
we want our worship services to be pleasing to Him. To gather with Gods people
on the Lords Day to worship at God’s throne under the authority of God’s word
is our solemn duty and joyful privilege.
 

1. Glory to God – Worship is
ultimately for Him. He is the most important audience at every service.
2. Edifying to God’s people – Corporate worship must build up the body of Christ. Believers should
be equipped, comforted, and exhorted.

 

Worship in its
broadest sense is something we are to be doing in every area of life –
everything we do is supposed to be for God’s glory.

 

Public worship is that
declaring of God’s worth that occurs whenever His people gather together under
His Word. Biblical corporate worship then is Word centered worship, performed
in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
 

The Elements of Public Worship
The New Testament
clearly give us four elements that are permitted as part of corporate worship:
·Reading the Word

The public reading of the Scriptures is an essential part of worship (Nehemiah 8:1-9; Luke 4:16-20; Acts 13:15).
·Preaching the Word

The preaching and teaching of the Scriptures are the heart of worship. This is
entrusted to those men so gifted and called (usually the elders/pastors – Ephesians 4:7-13; 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5).
·Praying the Word

Corporate prayer is to declare the truths and claim the promises of the Word
·Supporting the Word

Voluntary giving is commended as part of worship. (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians
9:6-7) The giving is distributed (often by the Deacons) to support the ministry
of the word, either directly - or through practical assistance to those in
need.
We see from
passages like Acts 2:41-42,45 that these
various elements were a part of New Testament worship from the beginning:

 

Why are musical instruments a part of our worship service
“Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltry
and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance. Praise Him with the stringed
instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the
high sounding cymbal.”  Psalm 150:3-5

 

Why do we have singing with a choir.
“And be not drunk with wine, within is excess,
but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the lord.”  Ephesians54:18-19

 

Why do we stand sometimes to sing.
“And the Levites…of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise
the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.”  2 Chronicles 20:19
“After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitudes, which no man could number, of
all nations, kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and psalms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice
saying, Salvation to our God which sittith upon the throne, and unto the
Lamb.”  Revelation 7:9-10

 

Why do we have audible praise unto God.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.”  Psalm 103:1
“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that
is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”  Hebrews 13:15

 

Why do we lift our hands.
“Thus will I bless Thee while I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy
name.”  Psalm 63:4

“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without
wrath or doubting.”  I Timothy 2:8

 

Why do we clap our hands.
“O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God
with a voice of triumph.”  Psalm 47:1

 

Why does the whole church pray at one time for specific need.
“And when I heard that, they lifted up their voice with one accord, and
said, “Lord, Thou art God, which has made heaven and earth…”  Acts 4:24

 

Why do we have speaking in tongues.
“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with
tongues.”  I Corinthians 14:39
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal…To
another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.”
I Corinthians 12:7-10

 

What is prophecy and why do we prophesy
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto the men
to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”  I Corinthians 14:3

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.”  I Corinthians 12:10
 

Why do we receive tithes and offering.
“Bring 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 such a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it.”  Malachi 3:10
“Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the
same measure that you meet withal it shall be measured unto you again.”  Luke
6:38
“Every man shall give as he is able according to the blessing of the
Lord thy God which He hath given thee.”  Deuteronomy 16:17

 

Why We Testify Publicly
 In the Bible we read, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of
the congregation will I praise thee." - Psalm 22:22

 

Why We Anoint With Oil for Divine Healing
 In the Bible we read, "Is any
sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the LORD." - James 5:14
 

Why We Allow The Operation Of Spiritual Gifts.
 In the Bible we read, "When ye come together, every one
of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation..." -  1Corinthians
14:26

 

Why do we use banners and flags
"We will shout for joy when you are
victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our
God." (Psalm 20:5)

 

Why do we practice laying on of hands.
Jesus said: "These signs will follow those
who believe... they will lay hands on the sick and the will recover"
(Mark 16:17-18)    "Now when the sun was setting, all they that
had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands
on every one of them, and healed them."
(Luke 4:40)    

"And when Paul
had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with
tongues, and prophesied." (Acts 19:6)  "Do not
neglect the gift that is in you which was given to you by prophecy through
the laying on of hands by the elders"
(1 Timothy 4:14).  "Stir up
the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my
hands" (2 Timothy 1:6)

 

Why is There Physical Expression in our Worship
Physical expression in worship is a common Biblical response to the
activity and work of the Holy Spirit.  (Psalm 95:6-7; 63:4; Nehemiah 8:6;
Revelation 7:11-12)  When we worship, people should be able to tell what
we are doing by observing our body language and facial expressions.
Physical expressiveness is not a shortcut to spiritual maturity, but it should
be encouraged in worshipers of all ages.  
 

Why do people fall under the power.
Scripture indicates that those who 'fell under
the power' sensed the presence and glory of God to such a degree that they
could not stand on their feet.
2 Chronicles 5 (dedication of Solomon's
Temple) - the house was filled with the cloud of the glory of God, the
Shekinah, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud.

 

John 18:3-6 - when Jesus said, "I am
He," thus confirming His deity and declaring the presence of God, they
went backward and fell to the ground.
Revelation 1:10-17 - John, when he saw a
vision of Christ, fell at his feet as dead." John was in the spirit and
got so full of the glory of the Lord and the beauty of His presence that he
fell as dead.
Acts 9:1-18; Mark 9:26; Acts 22:7; Acts 26:14