The Model for Genuine Worship (Linton Hall Sermon)

Acts 20:7-12 CSB – On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, ⁹ and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” ¹¹ After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. ¹² They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.

A.W. Tozer, “Worship is the missing jewel in modern evangelicalism.”

John Piper, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”

Matt Redman, “When we worship, our perspective changes. We see God on the throne—and everything else finds its place.”

C.S. Lewis, “In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.”

James Montgomery Boice, Worship transforms everything it touches… If you understand who God is and what He has done for you, you cannot help but worship Him.

Habakkuk 2:20 CSB – But the LORD is in his holy temple; let the whole earth be silent in his presence.

Powerful Worship—Celebrating

Exodus 20:9-10 CSB – Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy:⁹ You are to labor six days and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

1 Corinthians 16:2 CSB – On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside…

Revelation 1:10 CSB – John writes, I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,

Mark 2:27 CSB –  Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Colossians 2:16,17 CSB – Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.

What is Worship?

Worship = “to ascribe worth”

“Whatever your heart clings to and relies upon, that is your God.” – Martin Luther

Powerful Worship begins w/ Focus

Psalm 72:19 CSB – Blessed be his glorious name forever;

Psalm 145:1-3 CSB – I exalt you, my God the King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
² I will bless you every day;
I will praise your name forever and ever.

³ The Lord is great and is highly praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.

Powerful Worship—Remembering Christ

Exodus 20:2 CSB – I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

Psalm 105:42 CSB – Remember His holy word…

Deuteronomy 18:8 CSB – remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth

Exodus 20:8 CSB – Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 CSB – On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

²⁵ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Acts 20:7 CSB – On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them

Early Church Order of Service

1. Scripture is read
2. Exhortation (a sermon)
3. Prayers of the people
4. Kiss of peace
5. Communion (Bread and wine with thanksgiving)
6. Offering

1 Corinthians 11:27-28 CSB – …whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.

Powerful Worship—Teaching

Acts 20:7 CSB – On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight.

Acts 2:42 CSB – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Acts 8:36 CSB – Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.

Acts 20:7 CSB – since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight.

Ryman Auditorium

Acts 20:8-9 CSB – There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, ⁹ and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead.

Acts 20:10-12 CSB – But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” ¹¹ After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. ¹² They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.

Ephesians 2:1,4,5 CSB – And you were dead in your trespasses and sins…But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.

Psalm 73:17,26 CSB – Then, I went into the sanctuary of the Lord…

…My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart,

my portion forever.

Acts 20:12 CSB – They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted