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Imperial Library
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Index
CONTENTS
ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION
1. THE GATHERING OF GOD
What theology of worship is implied by the following approaches?
The big picture 2
Gathering Israel
Gathering the church of Jesus Christ
Anticipating the ultimate gathering
Experiencing the gathering of God
Gathering by God’s grace
Gathering to express fellowship in Christ
Gathering to promote the growth of the church
Gathering to worship
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
2. WORSHIPPING GOD
Homage to God
Reverence or respect for God
Serving God
The service of Jesus
The service Jesus makes possible
Gospel ministry and service to God
Adoration and action
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
3. EDIFYING THE CHURCH
The Messiah’s building work
Anticipated in Scripture
Fulfilled by Jesus
A community of believing Jews and Gentiles
The church’s building work
The ministry of apostles
The ministry of gifted leaders
The ministry of all Christians
Ministry when the church gathers
Ministry to one another in love
Ministry to outsiders
Patterns for ministry today
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
4. PATTERNS OF SERVICE
Evaluating patterns of service
Gathering for encouragement and maturation
Encouragement for godly living
Reading, teaching and exhortation
Praying, singing and testifying to God’s goodness
Reflecting biblical teaching about the way we relate to God
A gospel logic
Gospel-true, heart-resonant and culturally relevant
Different gospel-shaped services
Ministering to one another as the New Testament directs
Different contributions
Leadership of the gathering
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
5. LISTENING TO GOD
Preaching revisited
Gospel and Scripture
Ministry of the word
Pastoring through teaching
Proclamation, teaching and exhortation
Heralding and teaching
Exhortation and warning
Different types of biblical preaching
Topical preaching
Textual preaching
Systematic exposition of biblical passages
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
6. PRAYING TOGETHER
Learning from the Lord’s Prayer
Relating to God and to one another
Praying together
Spontaneous or prepared?
Biblical patterns of prayer
Individual models
Praying with the Psalms
Prayer, praise and thanksgiving
Reflecting on God and his will
Praying for other believers
Praying more broadly
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
7. PRAISING GOD
The praises of Israel
Praise words
Adequate praise
God-given patterns of praise
Reasons for praise
Christian praise
Acknowledging the fulfilment of God’s saving plan
Praise and godly living
Anticipating the end
Reflecting on the songs we sing
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
8. SINGING TOGETHER
Honouring God
False trails
Listening and responding to God
Ministry with wisdom
Psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit
Music, singing and edification
Possibilities and problems
Working together
Music and the emotions
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
9. BAPTISM
The baptism of John
Precedents for John’s baptism
Jesus’ baptism by John
Baptism into Christ
Jesus’ command to baptize
Baptism in the name of Jesus
Union with Christ in his death and resurrection
Washing and renewal by the Spirit
Baptism and the resurrection of Jesus
The practice of baptism
Early Christian beliefs and practices
Learning from the past
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
10. THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Last Supper
The Passover context
Eating and drinking at Jesus’ table
Jesus as the bread of life
The Lord’s Supper at Corinth
Last Supper allusions
Not discerning the body of Christ
Later beliefs and practices
Formality and complexity
Learning from the past
Summary
Questions for review and reflection
EPILOGUE
Gathering to respond to what God has revealed
Confessing sins and praising God
Applying the message to today
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING
Worship and edification
Patterns of service
Preaching
Prayer, praise and singing
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Notes
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