What is the Meaning of Baptism? Communion? Sacrament?

How To Evaluate a Worship Service?

Why is there Conflict?

Why Should I Go to Church?

How Do You Imagine an Unimaginable God?

Are There Different Types of Worship?

How Do You Choose Songs for Worship?

The Lexicon of Sin

Who is Welcome to Worship?

Worship – Defined

“Trinity” Discussed

Praise – Defined

Holy – Defined

Simeon was a man in-between.  It had been four hundred years since the Prophets fell silent; four hundred years since God had whispered of His coming Messiah.  The echo of that whisper had planted a seed of hope in Simeon’s soul which he could not ignore.  This seed was more than simple hope: it was live anticipation of something meant to be.  Further, hope had clothed itself in purpose as Simeon looked for Messiah.  And somehow he knew.  He knew he would no longer be in-between, but would someday sing the song of a promise kept; of a longing fulfilled; of a whisper shouted.  He knew he would live to see Messiah.

What dream has been whispered to your heart?  What seed of hope has been planted in your soul?  Has the passing of time extinguished it, or does it still smolder within?  Do you believe and anticipate the seed will one day break through the soil of your life and show itself?

Simeon kept Hope alive by drinking daily from its fountain.  The temple became his place of waiting and watching, and he went there with each sunrise.  The Scriptures contained the whispered promises of God, and he heard them regularly.  He wanted to recognize Messiah’s voice when he appeared, so he listened for it often.  He dreamed about the day he would sing the song of a promise kept.

Do your daily routines nurture your hope?  Are the care and feeding of your dreams programmed into the fabric of your life?  Does your discipline reflect your faith?

One day Simeon was awakened by God.  He felt compelled to get to his place of waiting and watching.  He prayed.  He read.  He listened.  Then he heard the voice; he heard Messiah’s voice.  It was shrouded in the cry of a baby, but Simeon recognized it.  And don’t you know, he sang!

Awaken, O soul, to His prompting.  Be disciplined, O mind, in your waiting.  Listen not, O heart, for the ordinary.  God’s ways are far above your ways.  He is both eternal and surprising.  He is faithful, but not predictable.  He is able, but not subordinate.  He will fulfill His whispered promise in His way and in His time.  He extends to you the joyful privilege of hoping for something that even Hell cannot not change.  And you will sing!

Short answers to big questions: What is worship? Why must Christians gather?   What are the New Testament sacrifices?  Are there worship requirements that can’t be accomplished in solitude?  What is the content of corporate Christian worship?

What is worship?
What does the word “Worship” mean?

-From the Middle English Worthschipe – To show or possesses a state of worth.

-Biblically defined as either acts of homage or acts of service towards God.

What is worship?

-The appropriate human response to God’s attributes.

-Def: “To reflect back to God his self-revealed worth.”

What does the word “Praise” mean?

-From the Hebrew word Halel, meaning boastful commendation.

-Biblically used to describe or demand an exclamatory response to God’s actions.

What is “Praise?”

-A tangible response in recognition of God’s divine interventions.

-Def: “Active boasting in the acts of God.”

Why Worship?

Why did the ancient Jews worship?

-Covenant Obligation (Gen 17:8)

-It was the appropriate response (Ps 147:1)

-God required it (Ps 45:11)

-Worship was a central purpose of human existence (Ps 150:6)

Why do/should Christians worship?

-Because of the mercies of God (Rom 12:1)

-Because of the person and attributes of God (Rom 11:33-36)

-To be a participant in the new covenant. (Lk 22:20)

Are there different categories of worship?
-What are the various avenues of Christian worship?

-Individual worship (1 Cor 3:16)

-Corporate worship (Matt 18:20; Heb 10:24-25; Eph 5:19)

-Lifestyle worship (Mk 10:45; Rom 12:1)

What is Individual worship is like:

-The gratitude of an orphan who gets adopted (Rom 12:1)

-The discipline of a musician practicing alone (1 Cor 9:27)

-The intimacy of a honeymoon (Eph 3:16-21)

-The daily appointment of a soldier reporting for duty (Lk 7:8)

What is Corporate worship is like:

-A family reunion, where the individual embeds their story into the family’s history.

-An orchestra, where the musicians submit themselves to the conductor, to the music, and to one another.

-A wedding, where public and symbolic vows are pledged, reenacted and celebrated.

-A platoon on furlough, where each member gives and receives healing, training, focus and encouragement.

What is Lifestyle worship is like:

-A family ambassador, who lives as though their actions affect more than just their own reputation.

-A Musician, who plays their very best at a poorly attended concert

-A Spouse on a business trip who lives as though their partner were constantly accompanying them

-The commitment, service and sacrifice of a soldier on duty (2 Tim 2:3)

-What are Spiritual Disciplines?

-Holy habits that help to develop intimacy with God.

-Abstaining habits include: Solitude; Silence; Fasting; Simplicity; Chastity

-Engaging habits include: Study; Worship; Prayer; Service; Meditation

Why must Christians gather to worship?
-Are there Kingdom requirements that can’t be accomplished in solitude?

Christians must gather in order to:

-Embody their corporate identity (1 Pt 2:9)

-Perform their priestly vocation as worshipers (1 Pt 2:5)

-Fulfill the mandate to exhort and disciple (Heb 10:24-25; Matt 28:19-20)

-Experience Christ’s presence in, through and with others (Matt 18:20; Eph 5:19)

What is the content of corporate Christian worship?
-What are the three “R’s” of corporate worship?

-Corporate Revelation (Arts; Sacred actions; Symbols; Creeds; etc.)

-Corporate Response (New Testament sacrifices and responses)

-Corporate Remembrance and Anticipation (Baptism; Communion; Celebrations)

-What are the New Testament sacrifices?

-Thanks and Praise (Heb 13:15)

-Giving (Phil 4:18)

-Self (Rom 12:1-2)

-Service (Phil 2:17)

-What are some New Testament responses to revelation?
(source unknown, but not original with the author)

From Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:

-Emotional response (cut to the heart)

-Spiritual response (what must we do?)

-Symbolic response (baptism)

-Practical response (sold goods, gave to the poor)

-What is Corporate Remembrance?

-From anamnesis – drawing near of memory.

-Utilizing symbolic actions to reenact the work of Christ.

-Remembering so as to relive the story of Christ.

-What is Corporate Anticipation?

-From prolepsis – to take beforehand.

-Utilizing the Arts and symbolic actions to bring God’s future into our present.

-Resting in a future hope, rather than present relief

-Celebrating, beforehand, the return of the Christus Victor: the Victorious Christ.

-What is Liturgy?

-From Leiturgia – the work of the people.

-The plan or framework for how the people of God will celebrate and rehearse His story.

-An historic framework: Kyrie; Gloria; Credo; Sanctus; Agnus Dei.

-What are the tools and means of corporate worship? (S. Grenz)

-Declaration

-Music

-Prayer

-Symbolic Action

What makes Christian worship Christian?

-Are there essential elements that make worship uniquely Christian?

-It acknowledges God as Triune. (Lk 3:22)

-It is Christocentric: focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ. (Heb 10:19-20)

-It is offered by redeemed worshipers. (1 Pt 3:18)

-What separates Christian from pseudo-Christian worship?

-Acknowledgement of the deity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

-An orthodox acknowledgement of Scripture, the Church, forgiveness and the eschaton.

-Agreement with the Nicene Creed.

What makes Christian worship Worship?

-Are there required ingredients for worship?

-Attention (vs. attendance) (Deut 6:4; Mk 12:30)

-Intention (vs. indolence) (Deut 6:5)

-Offered in Spirit and Truth (Jn 4:24)

How should Christians worship?

-Are there specific guidelines for worship, regardless of culture?
Yes!  You should:

-Use the biblical tools and means of worship.

-Have a theological plan.

-Worship in a culturally relevant style.

-What is the difference between style and content? (C. Cherry)

-Style is the way we express the content within our context.

-Style is negotiable; content is non-negotiable.

-Style is contextual; content is universal.

What is causing conflict?

-Why is “church” the hardest thing about being a Christian?

-We have confused unity with sameness (1 Cor 12:19).

-We are Human!

-Disagreement on the primary purpose of the gathering (worship or evangelism).

-Our culture has enthroned music.

-A shifting culture (postmodernism).

-How has the Culture shifted? (R. Webber)

-Scientific – from Rationalism to Mystery

-Philosophic – from Individual to Communal

-Communication – from Verbal to Symbolic

How can Modern Church worship adapt to Postmodernism?

-Are there specific steps necessary to move towards Postmodernism? (R. Webber)

-Embrace mystery and paradox; don’t just explain and reason people into the faith.

-Design communal services; increase participation; decrease presentation.

-Incorporate symbolic communication; let the Arts speak the Truth.

Short answers to big questions: What are Symbols, Sacred Actions and Sacraments?  What is the significance of Baptism?  Why do some churches baptize infants?  What is the significance of Communion?  What is Sacred Time?  What are the advantages of observing the Christian Year?

What are Symbols, Sacred Actions and Sacraments?

-How do symbols and symbolic actions help a worshiper?

-They are the physical side of being spiritual.

-They give concrete expression to an invisible reality.

-They are entities that help people incarnate their faith.

-What are rituals, signs and symbols

-Ritual = Symbolic activity in which people engage when they worship.

-Sign = Points to, or indicates, the existence of something not immediately apparent (sign of the fish or dove).

-Symbol = Resembles and participates in what it represents (Cross; bread and cup)

-What is a sacrament?

-Originally referred to the mystery of Christ’s sacred actions.

-A “sign whereby God effects in people the promise that God signs and seals to us with that sign.” (Calvin)

-Baptism and Communion are commonly referred to as sacraments.

-What is the difference between a sacrament, and sacramental?

-Sacramental = Symbolic actions that represent and suggest.

-Sacrament = Actions in which God has attached a promise to dispense grace.

-Sacramental actions signify the work; Sacraments do the work.

-Orthodox Christianity accepts both understandings.

-What is Baptism?

-From baptizein, meaning to submerge a cloth into dye in order to change its color

-A symbolic use of water, applied to a believer.

-Did not originate with Christianity, but was modified from Jewish and pagan worship.

-What do the various modes of Baptism represent?

-Immersion – historically represented either birth, burial or bath.

-Affusion (pouring) – representing the pouring out of the Spirit.

-Sprinkling – representing the sprinkling of the blood of Christ

-What is the significance of Baptism?

-It is the expected sign of a person’s repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

-Historically, it was a necessary step for initiation into the Church.

-Baptism was a prerequisite to participating in Communion.

-Why do some churches baptize infants?

-It was an accepted practice of the early Church.

-It emphasizes God’s prevenient grace, rather than human response.

-Covenant theology views the practice as a continuation of the Circumcision rite.

-What is Communion?

-A communal, covenant meal that remembers and rehearses the story of Christ.

-Elements include broken bread, signifying the broken body of Christ, and wine, signifying the spilled blood of Christ.

-Biblical terms include: Communion; Breaking Bread; Eucharist (thanks); Lord’s Supper.

-What is the significance of Communion?
Depending on one’s views, it:

-Signifies and rehearses the death, resurrection and return of Christ.

-Is an event at which Christ has promised to be present.

-Is the actual body and blood of Christ; a feeding on Christ.

What is Sacred Time?

-What is the principle of Sacred Time?

-Reclaiming the calendar as a tool to remember and celebrate God’s story.

-An acknowledgement time is both cyclical (Eccl 3) and linear (Dan 9:24-27).

-Neither Biblical, nor unbiblical; it comes from Church tradition as tool for spiritual formation.

-What are the demarcations of Sacred Time?

-The Day: various times of prayer, known as the Daily Office.

-The Week: centering on Sunday, celebrating the resurrection.

-The Year: three cycles.

-What are the three Cycles of the Christian Year?

-The Cycle of Light = Advent/Christmas

-The Cycle of Life = Lent/Resurrection/Ascension/Pentecost

-Ordinary time = the time between the other Cycles.

-What are the advantages of observing the Christian Year?

-It shapes the worshiper by assimilating the pattern of dying to sin and living to Christ.

-It shapes corporate worship through tangible, theological observations of Christ’s story.

-It connects the world-wide Body of Christ, all living the rhythm of remembrance and anticipation.

]]> http://roadmapsforworship.com/?feed=rss2&p=249 0 http://roadmapsforworship.com/?p=1010 http://roadmapsforworship.com/?p=1010#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:15:44 +0000 Jim Altizer http://roadmapsforworship.com/?p=1010 Jim discusses the meaning of these terms in the Christian tradition.