Private vs. Public Worship

Worship – Public or private

1. Includes the most of the same actions – sing, pray, study

2. Giving and communion – limited to Sunday assembly of church

3. Must follow the same rules – Prayer rules, Sing (no instrument), etc.

Individual aspect of public worship

1. Sing – make melody in your heart, spirit and understanding

2. Give – cheerful, purpose in heart, willing

3. Pray – in faith, not doubting, spirit and understanding

4. Study – open mind, hear, search, understand, obey

5. Communion – discern the Lord’s body, remember

Public worship

1. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17

2. Some rules for public worship

3. Speak on behalf of the congregation

Rules for participation in public worship

1. Worship God

2. Talk to God – not preach, not to audience, not announcements

3. Use natural language – not just high sounding words

4. Keep dignity and reverence in what you do

5. Lead the thoughts of the congregation – think for them

6. Speak so all can hear – PA mike, or have a loud voice

7. Not a time slot to fill

8. Specific – names, needs (but not confidential information)

Private worship

1. Not limited to time or place

2. Matthew 6:5-8

3. Private can be more personal – problems, needs, sins, desires

4. We can me more intimate – personal relationship with God

5. Our praise and prayer will be deeper – not limited to songs selected

Levels of private worship
 

1. Individual – one person, alone in prayer, study and worship

2. Small worship group – 2-10 – family, outing, camping, reunion (Teens on campout, retreat)

3. Small gathering – 2-10 – some evening 8 people gather

4. Ethiopian in Acts 8 – Where did he worship the first Sunday home? What about Lydia, the Philippian jailer, Cornelius, and Saul in Tarsus?

5. Visit a sick person in the hospital – have prayer

6. Take communion to a shut-in in a nursing home

Scriptures to study

1. Matthew 6:6 – into closet, in secret

2. Matthew 18:19-20 – 2 or 3 agree, 2 or 3 gathered in Jesus name

Issue to understand – Purpose of gathering

1. Is this gathering on Sunday, for the purpose of worshipping God?

2. Is this gathering just some friends who decided to sing together?