Circumcision and Baptism (Col. 2:11,12)

One can see the force of the argument that circumcision is a fleshly covenant which is tied to the flesh while Baptism is a sign that communicates spiritual renewal and spiritual washing.  It is conceivable to think that maybe Paul is making a historic progression meaning that we move from circumcision, fleshly covenant, to baptism, a true spiritual realization, after Christ’s coming. So, why would people baptize infants if the Lord has changed the significance of the covenantal sign?

Worship Elements: Sacraments Uncircumcision (Leviticus 26:41)

So often people think of the sacrament of circumcision as a physical sign while baptism is a sign of Spiritual renewal.  So, these signs might point to Christ, but they have radically different intentions.  When we survey scripture we find that this is not necessarily a true distinction with circumcision being physical while baptism is spiritual.  In fact, Moses teaches that one being uncircumcised is stating that one is not walking in power of the Lord.  So, can we really say that circumcision is not a spiritual sign? 

Worship Elements: Sacraments General (Romans 4:11)

The Apostle Paul speaks Abraham first having faith and then receiving he sign. This would seem that the sacraments are a sign of our faith rather than a sign of the covenant.  This has profound implications because this would mean that first we would profess our faith and then receive the sacrament.  So, why would we as reformed people baptize infants if this contradicts the Apostle Paul? Why would infants potentially receive the sign if they have not first professed faith like Abraham did? 

Worship Elements: Preaching: Word or Gospel? (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

We have been considering at the language of the Belgic Confession that identifies the preaching of the Gospel as a mark of the true church.  If the reformers claim that a mark of the church the the preaching of the gospel then why does Paul exhort Timothy to preach the word?  Does our confession need to be rewritten?  Does Paul understand the preaching of the word to be the preaching of the Gospel?

Worship Elements: Preaching: Evangelistic (Romans 1:16-17)

Our confession does not merely say that we preach the word, but we preach the Gospel.  Why not have a mature church that no longer needs the Gospel because they have advanced beyond it.  Then we could have churches that are more geared to young Christians.    What basis do we have to preach the gospel for all members of Christ’s church? 

Worship Elements: Preaching: An Assuring Promise (Genesis 28)

Jacob leaves home sent away as a covenantal fugitive to fend for himself at his uncle’s house.  He is left alone in the deserve literally stripped of everything that he valued.  Is all lost?  What can Jacob’s vision in the midst of his existential crises teach us about preaching and the gospel message?

Worship Elements: Assurance and Blessing (Luke 24:50)

The disciples should understand that Christ predicts his suffering, dying, and being raised up to life.  When Christ talked about this part of his ministry Christ really means that he is sent to suffer, die, and to be raised up to life.  The disciples and the women who were around Jesus missed this central truth.  How does Christ react after his resurrection?  How does Christ’s reaction put our worship into perspective and show our parting from worship to be so consoling?

Worship Elements: Assurance (Micah 7:18-20)

If we already know the gospel then why do we need to hear about our sins being forgiven?  Why would we want to talk about the forgiveness of our sins week after week?

Worship Elements: Confession (Psalm 19)

We have a time of confession at the beginning of our worship service.  As we join together in this time we might wonder why we would engage in such a practice.  Why would we confess our sins if we are forgiven in the Lord?  Why would we join together to confess our sins in a worship service? 

Worship Elements: Invocation (Psalm 124)

The Lord calls His people to worship Him.  This is something that we understand and assume in Christian worship, but why would we invoke or call upon the name of our God?  If we know that we are worshipping Him anyway it seems that we are going to do the right thing no matter what. So, what is the significance of this invocation?

God’s Greeting (2 Corinthians 1:1-2)

The Lord gives His greeting to the Corinthian church through the Apostle Paul. We might think that this is standard, but what does this greeting tell us about our worship today? What does this greeting tell us about the Christian church today? What can this greeting teach us about our Worship?

Call to Worship (Psalm 100)

The Lord commands people to worship him.  Why does God need his creatures to worship him?  He is a God who is complete in himself so why does he give such a command?  What do we know about God that makes it a joy to worship Him?  Why will His people want to worship Him?

Called to Orderly Worship (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Sometimes we can think that worship is merely rote or just part of our routine.  We can think this sometimes because worship seems too orderly.  Do we have a Biblical basis for an orderly worship service?  

Called to Worship (Psalm 40; Hebrews 10:5-7)

The Lord calls us to worship and to make the Lord our focal place.  When we are called to worship as a people what is the basis of the Lord calling us to worship?  How are we called out of the world to Worship our God and our King?

Exhorted to Worship (Hebrews 10:25)

The people who receive the message from Hebrews seem to be struggling to keep their faith.  The author in Hebrews exhorts them to keep their faith.  Why would they want to keep their faith?  What does worship have to do with them keeping their faith?  How can such an old exhortation still be relevant today?

Corporate Cleansing (Isaiah 6:1-13)

Isaiah the prophet is called into the most holies of places.  You would think that he would be overjoyed to encounter the full holies of our Lord, but he is overwhelmed by his placement in the true temple.  Why is Isaiah so upset and concerned?  This is a prophet set apart unto the Lord and so what does he have to worry about?  What is the Lord ultimately going to do to set aside this man’s fears, but at the same time equip this man to come into HIs holy presence?

Corporate Dialoguing (Joshua 24)

When we meet together for worship it might be something that has become rather rote.  We rise, we sing, we listen, and we might think that there is not much we can glean from worship because the experience is not what we expect it to be.  Is this a problem with worship or a problem with us?  What is really going on between God and HIs people even if the Ark of the Covenant is not present with us?

A Corporate Community (Joshua 5:1-12)

Joshua assembles the Lord’s people together after they cross the Jordan River.  Joshua is command to circumcise the people of God a second time.  Why would Joshua waste precious time to engage in such a physical ceremony?  Why not just go to war, secure the land, and enjoy the Lord’s redemptive purpose?

A Worshipping Community (2) (Genesis 15)

Abraham is one who has called out of his land, away from his father, and away from idolatry.  He is called to worship the one true God.  Does this mean that only those who are genetically tied to Abraham have life in Abraham?  How do we know that the blessings for Abraham are for the nations rather than one nation or nationality?