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Titus 1:5
Having apostolic authority to do so, Paul left Titus in Crete, to “set in order” things that were lacking in the churches and to oversee the ordination of gospel preachers among them. The Word of God does not lay down any distinct order of service for public worship that must be rigidly followed, and we must be careful to avoid mere religious ritualism and ceremonialism. Yet all things must be done decently and in order. We must do nothing without thoughtful prayer and preparation; and all that is done must be done for the glory of God. In the New Testament we see five things which are essential to public worship. These five things should be regularly maintained in the services of every local church. 1. Prayer — When we come together for worship, we should be led in united, public prayer (1 Timothy 2:1). That doesn’t mean everybody prays out loud! What could be more absurd? Rather, one man at a time leads the congregation in prayer. 2. Reading — Every assembly for public worship should give attention to the public reading of Holy Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3; Acts 15:30-31; Luke 4:16). When the Scriptures are read in our worship services, the man reading should simply read the Word, with very little or no comment, emphasizing the supremacy of Holy Scripture as God’s Word to us. Leave the preaching to the preacher. 3. Praise — United, public praise, congregational singing, is a blessed part of public worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Let our songs be songs of praise celebrating the persons, work, and glory of the Triune Jehovah. Let us ever sing about our God, not about ourselves. Praise is not waving your hands in the air, rolling your eyes toward the ceiling, and shaking your hips like barbarians doing a voodoo dance! Praise is speaking to one another about God and speaking to God in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” 4. Preaching — The most important aspect of public worship is the preaching of the gospel (2 Timothy 4:1-2). The House of God is a preaching center. The local church is a sounding board for the gospel. It is not a religious social club, or a place of entertainment. In every true house of worship gospel preaching is supreme. 5. Ordinances — We must regularly observe the ordinances of our Lord in public worship, that is, Believers’ Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, confessing our faith in and allegiance to our crucified Savior, remembering him who loved us and gave himself for us. Every service of every local church should be a worship service. Whether the congregation is many or few, whether it is gathered on Sunday morning, Sunday night, or in the middle of the week, when God’s people gather in public assembly, they ought to be led in the worship of God by faithful, well-prepared, gospel-preaching pastors. Each service of the church should include prayer, reading of Scripture, praise to God, and gospel preaching. And the services should frequently include the observance of our Lord’s ordinances.
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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