WORSHIP NOTES Volume 11, No. 10 (October 2016) We usually think of the Reformation of the 15th Century in terms of doctrinal renewal. The Reformers were not seeking to bring new or original truths to the Church; rather they were zealous to bring back to the Church the biblical/apostolic teaching concerning salvation, which had been largely lost to the Church. Hence their emphasis on justification by grace alone, through faith […]
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 11, No. 2 (February 2016) THE PASTOR’S VITAL ROLE IN THE WORSHIP LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Worship is central to the identity and the life of the body of Christ, including of course corporate worship, as Eduard Schweizer affirms: “Public worship is clearly and openly the place in the congregation’s life at which it manifests itself as the Body of Christ.”[1] Similarly, William Willimon states: [Corporate] worship is the
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 10, No. 8 (August 2015) Last month we naturally gave our first and primary focus in our study of congregational readings to “the public reading of Scripture“ (1 Timothy 4:13), and to the priority of letting “the Word of Christ dwell richly among you” (Colossians 3:16). But there are other resources as well (historical and recent) that can be drawn upon and fruitfully used in worship services. 2. CREEDS
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 10, No. 7 (July 2015) Participatory worship involves more than singing, of course. The people of God can lift their voices to express their hearts through various types of readings as well. 1. SCRIPTURE Paul’s command to Timothy, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Timothy 4:13) can and should certainly extend beyond the pastoral role. The power of God’s Word read, perhaps even more so
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 10, No. 5 (May 2015) This Sunday, May 24), is Pentecost Sunday, the great culmination of the Easter season (50 days after Easter Sunday), commemorating the events of Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples, filling them with boldness to proclaim the message of Christ. The effects of Peter’s sermon that day, the conversion and baptism of 3,000 people, has led to the historical designation
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 9, No. 5 (May 2014) A REDIRECT Seeing how yesterday (Thursday) was Ascension Day (40 days after Easter; a public holiday in much of Europe), and this Sunday many churches will thus mark Ascension Sunday, it seemed appropriate to interrupt our series on Important New Testament Passages in order to briefly focus on this oft-neglected yet incredibly significant event in the ministry of Jesus and the life of the Church.
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 9, No. 3 (March 2014) 9. TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY (Ephesians 1:3-14) After his opening greeting, Paul launches into his epistle by praising God (“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”) because He “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing” (3). He then enumerates a number of these blessings which makes Him worthy of praise, namely: Election 4Love 4Adoption 5Grace 6,
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 9, No. 1 (January 2014) 7. PRINCIPLES OF WORSHIP IN 1 CORINTHIANS a. The Principle of Grace For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 8, No. 12 (December 2013) 6. FROM GLORY TO GLORY: God’s Glory in Romans (and in Christmas) The Fall For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling
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WORSHIP NOTES Volume 6, Nr. 1 (January 2011)
Worship in Redemptive History: DISPENSATIONAL EXPRESSIONS OF WORSHIP Read More »
