Lesson 4.

 What Doth the Lord require of Thee?

In Reference to Behavior in Worship 

When Christians gather together to worship God, they should come with profound respect and behavior. Paul said to the church in Corinthian reference their worship “let all things be done decently and in order”

I Corinthians 14:40 

It becomes obvious, both from sound and sight, that many members of the church who attend services fail to realize anything concerning “church etiquette.” That is to say, in language we all understanding, “church manners!”

I.  Behavior Shows the Picture of the Inner Man. 

A.    Solomon said as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.  Proverbs 23:7

1.     Thoughts are generally translated into action.

B.   Christ’s law was designed to regulate thoughts as well as actions.   Matthew 5:21-28 (Notice each example) 

    II.    Some Obvious Things That Are Wrong 

A.   Going in and out during services

1.     This distracts and keeps others from worshipping.

2.     Here are some passages that might well apply when such conduct is evident.  I Corinthians 11:17; 11:30

3.     Judas revealed his attitude of betrayal by his actions.  Luke 22:47-48

B.   Talking, giggling, and general misbehaving. Would we do this if Jesus were present personally? He says He is present. Matthew 18:20

Paul said our “conversation (lives) should becometh the gospel.”  Philippians 1:27

Even though the building is not sacred, we gather in it to worship God. Habakkuk 2:20; John4:24  

III.  Influence This Behavior Has on Others 

A.   Christians must set a good example in order to please God.

                        I Timothy 4:12

When one misbehaves in worship, is this a good or bad example?

B.   Because we say we have gathered to “worship in spirit and in

Truth,” John 4:24

Misconduct preaches the doctrine of hypocrisy. Our friends will think of Matthew 23:3

C.   It can keep some soul from obeying the gospel. If this becomes then aren’t we as guilty as the ones Christ describes in   Matthew 18:6 

IV.  Do We Really Care? 

A.  Not if we continue in the wrong. Consider Romans 6. Would  the people have really cared for Christ and His sacrifice had they continued in sin? Paul said emphatically “no!” They had to quit sinning and obey the gospel

B.   We really care when we quit doing things that are wrong and repent. Acts 8:22