Corporate Worship
Psalms 22:22 - "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you." (NIV)
Psalms 68:26 - "Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel." (NIV)
Psalms 96:7 - "Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength." (NIV)
Psalms 98:4 - "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music." (NIV)
Psalms 149:1 - "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints." (NIV)
Acts 2:46-47 - "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:26 - "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." (NIV)
Corporate worship, or worshipping together with God's people, is important to God. Throughout the Psalms, God keeps calling us to worship in the assembly, congregation, and even as whole nations. Why is this so important to God? He loves for his family to be together. He desires for his people to love each other and himself at the same time. After all, we are called to be in the family of God (Eph. 4:16).
How is corporate worship best done? It works most effectively when there is love, a leader and loyalty. When we come together for worship, it's important to give value to one another. If there are relational problems, they should be settled quickly… forgiveness asked and offered (Matt. 5:23-24). Jesus commands us to obey him by loving each other (John 15:12). It brings him no delight when we worship God with a grudge held in our heart against another person. Corporate worship also works well when there is a leader. This is a person who has waited on God for a direction in the particular time of worship. The leader is not be controlling, but rather a facilitator of God's movement. As the followers, we have the responsibility to show loyalty to God and the leader by following wholeheartedly. When the leader gives instruction through singing or praying, our response should be quick and wholehearted.
Corporate worship is not to be many individuals gathered together having their own personal times of worship. Individual devotional times with God are important. But, that is not the purpose of corporate worship. In the gathering, we are listening to God, watching the leader and responding actively to God's movement. In the time of worship, we should be full participants. 1 Corinthians 14 is clear that we all have different gifts to contribute. God wants all of us to be involved, not just the pastors or leaders.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Psalms 149:1 - "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints." (NIV)
Psalms 68:26 - "Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel." (NIV)
Psalms 96:7 - "Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength." (NIV)
Psalms 98:4 - "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music." (NIV)
Psalms 149:1 - "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints." (NIV)
Acts 2:46-47 - "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:26 - "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." (NIV)
Corporate worship, or worshipping together with God's people, is important to God. Throughout the Psalms, God keeps calling us to worship in the assembly, congregation, and even as whole nations. Why is this so important to God? He loves for his family to be together. He desires for his people to love each other and himself at the same time. After all, we are called to be in the family of God (Eph. 4:16).
How is corporate worship best done? It works most effectively when there is love, a leader and loyalty. When we come together for worship, it's important to give value to one another. If there are relational problems, they should be settled quickly… forgiveness asked and offered (Matt. 5:23-24). Jesus commands us to obey him by loving each other (John 15:12). It brings him no delight when we worship God with a grudge held in our heart against another person. Corporate worship also works well when there is a leader. This is a person who has waited on God for a direction in the particular time of worship. The leader is not be controlling, but rather a facilitator of God's movement. As the followers, we have the responsibility to show loyalty to God and the leader by following wholeheartedly. When the leader gives instruction through singing or praying, our response should be quick and wholehearted.
Corporate worship is not to be many individuals gathered together having their own personal times of worship. Individual devotional times with God are important. But, that is not the purpose of corporate worship. In the gathering, we are listening to God, watching the leader and responding actively to God's movement. In the time of worship, we should be full participants. 1 Corinthians 14 is clear that we all have different gifts to contribute. God wants all of us to be involved, not just the pastors or leaders.
For More Study
- Psalm 67, 96
- Acts 2:42-47
- 1 Corinthians 14
- Hebrews 10:19-25
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- What has been your past experience in corporate worship? Would they be described as purposeful, God-glorifying times? Why or why not?
- How can you prepare before corporate worship so that you can fully participate when you are gathered with God's people?
- Lead yourself in worship before being led in corporate worship. This will ensure that you are ready to fully participate in the assembly.
Memorization
Psalms 149:1 - "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints." (NIV)
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