The Bible in Worship
GOAL That we may know that Lutheran Worship is based on Scripture alone and reflects the doctrine of Christ s Universal Church.
Objectives 1. Review the biblical foundation of the Divine Service.
Objectives 1. Review the biblical foundation of the Divine Service. 2. Recognize that the Lutheran Divine Service is an expression of the worship of the entire Christian church.
Objectives 1. Review the biblical foundation of the Divine Service. 2. Recognize that the Lutheran Divine Service is an expression of the worship of the entire Christian church. 3. Be moved to respond to God s grace in Christ Jesus with worship and thanksgiving.
PRAYER Father, Your people have come here to worship: They have come from differing situations and with many differing needs. We ask that in this service You will meet with them and deal with those needs. Keep not only our ears but also our hearts and minds open; For it is in this way that we can receive Your power and strength, through Word and Sacrament in Your Divine Service to us. Amen.
Catechism I I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.
The Bible in Worship Do I have to? pleaded Andy. The mother did not give in to her son. Your grandparents sent you a wonderful present for your birthday. It is polite to thank them for their gift, and since you like it so much, to tell them. I know, he replied, but I don t know what to say. I ll help you with the words, she said. Let s work on it together. Andy sat down to write a thank-you note.
The Bible in Worship Have you ever struggled to find the right words for a letter or a thank-you note? Why?
The Bible in Worship Do you remember any times when your parents taught you how to do something that you thought was difficult (or a time when you taught your children)? How did they help you? How did it feel when you succeeded?
The Bible in Worship Do we need to learn how to worship?
How do Christians learn to worship?
For many, our education occurs simply through the Divine Services that we have attended. We learn about worship by worshiping with God s people. While there are different ways that Christians worship, many Christians have found it helpful to use scriptural verses and passages as the backbone of the Divine Service. God gives us His Word, and we respond to Him with His Word. We are not obligated to worship in this way, but we may find a great blessing through such richly biblical forms. In our study today, we will look up a number of passages from Holy Scripture.
Read Matthew 28:18 20. What part of our worship do we find here? What does this remind you about?
Read Matthew 28:18 20. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Invocation
Confession / Absolution
Introit / Gradual
What words of worship reflect Matthew 15:22 and Mark 10:47? A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession. Matthew 15:22
Mark 10:47 A When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Kyrie
The Hymn of Praise is another portion of the Divine Service. We sing many songs of praise at different times, but several texts find particular use in our worship.
What do you hear in Luke 2:14? Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
What do you hear in Luke 2:14? Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Whose words are these?
Revelation 5:8 14 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:8 14 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
Revelation 5:8 14 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Revelation 5:8 14 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever! The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
When do we sing these words? From whom do we get them?
THE HYMN OF PRAISE
Prayer of the Day Collect
John 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
At what point in the service do we sing these words?
Why are these words of St. Peter particularly appropriate at that time?
Holy Gospel Lesson - The Word
Sermon
Sermon Luke 4:16-21
The Apostle s Creed Nicene Creed
There are several texts that are used as offertory songs. Read Psalm 51:10 12.
Psalm 51:10 12. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
What do we ask God as we sing these words?
How does this help us keep our offerings in proper perspective?
While these are common texts in worship, not all are in use in all congregations. One of the most universally used passages of Scripture is Matthew 6:9 13. The Lord s Prayer
Is it necessary that we use these verses in worship? Why are these words so common?
As we prepare for Holy Communion, we know that we are about to enter the presence of Almighty God. Without His mercy we would not survive this encounter, but God does deal graciously with us.
Isaiah 6:3 6 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty. Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! "Hosanna in the highest!"
How are these words particularly appropriate in this context?
How are these words particularly appropriate in this context? Sanctus
After the words of institution have been said, we sing a song asking Christ, the Lamb of God, for His mercy and peace.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Colossians 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
How does this title apply to Jesus Christ? Agnus Dei
Several different songs of thanksgiving are sung after we have received the Blessed Sacrament. One of the oldest is found in Luke 2:29 32.
Luke 2:29 32 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
When were these words first said? Who was Simeon?
How do these words reflect our response to communion? Nunc Dimittus
Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '
Where does this happen in our worship?
Where does this happen in our worship? Benediction
From the Heart We have looked at some of the biblical texts reflected in our worship. There are many more in the Divine Service and in other orders of worship. There are also many biblical quotations, references, and allusions in our hymns and songs.
From the Heart Think about those worship texts that you know. When you learned these words, you were learning Scripture. How is this knowledge of Scripture an advantage for our Christian lives?
From the Heart Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
From the Heart The liturgical texts that we have looked at are all part of the ordinary. These are words that are repeated week after week in the Divine Service. Does this mean that worship will always be the same?
From the Heart Propers
From the Heart How can we avoid falling into thoughtless repetition of words?
From the Heart It is fairly common for Lutherans to describe these elements as Lutheran worship. We have now seen that the texts are biblical texts. Have you ever seen or heard of these texts being used in non-lutheran circles?
From the Heart What does this demonstrate about the Christian church?
Lord Open Thou My Heart to Hear Lord, open Thou my heart to hear And through Thy Word to me draw near; Let me Thy Word e'er pure retain, Let me Thy child and heir remain.
Lord Open Thou My Heart to Hear Thy Word doth deeply move the heart, Thy Word doth perfect health impart, Thy Word my soul with joy doth bless, Thy Word brings peace and happiness.
Lord Open Thou My Heart to Hear To God, the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Shall glory, praise and honor be Now and throughout eternity.