Free sermon outlines on worship

OUR WORSHIP

From John 4:22-23 we understand that we are to worship the Father; this by definition should exclude all others. John 16:23-24 tells us there was a time when they didn’t need to ask in Jesus’ name, but that has been changed by Christ himself. 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 says there is only one Father and one Son, distinct beings even though they are God.  The worship of one does not constitute the worship of the other. Romans 15:6 and Ephesians 4:5-6 We learn that we are to glorify the Father; clearly defined  as the Father of Christ.

Conclusion:  We have authority to worship the Father.  The worship of the Father is distinct from the Son; addressing the Son is not the same as addressing the Father and our action to one cannot automatically be construed as action toward the other.  We have no authority to worship Christ.

Other Points

1. From Acts 1:24 Can we necessarily assume ‘Lord’ must be Christ? There are many references where Lord is either the Father or the Son; this is not conclusive (Matt. 4:10; Matt. 11:25; Mark 12:30; Mark 12:36; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:25; Acts 4:26).
2. In 1 John 5:11-15 can we assume that the subject must be Jesus and not the Father? The last ACTIVE verb used of either the Father or the Son is in verse 11 and refers to the Father.  Can we assume that the subject in verses 13 and 14 is Jesus when verses 12 and 13 refer to what man does, not what Christ does?  Considering John 16:23, this would seem to be a very precarious assumption at best.
3. In 1Timothy 1:12 Paul thanked Christ; however, Jesus appeared to Christ on the road to Damascus and talked to him (he saw him) but Christ also said he would appear to him (Acts 26:16).
4. Acts 7:59, Stephen addressed Jesus but he was seeing him.
5. In 1Corinthians 1:2 Calling on the name of Christ is not the same as calling to Christ.  We call on the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in baptism but we don’t pray to them in baptism.
6. In John 10:34 & Psalm 82:6 it is said that we are gods; are we to be worshipped? We cannot assume we can worship Christ based on his deity alone.
7. John 17:21-23  Some argue that Jesus and the Father are "one" therefore we can worship Christ but if we are also one as they are one then this would authorize our worship to each other.
8. Does Revelation 5:12 authorize us to worship Christ?  In Revelation 4:1 it seems the context is established for the vision of things which are going to be later. Also, if this authorizes worship to Christ we must also be authorized to use the harp in worship (Rev. 5:8).

Conclusion: We have not been authorized to pray to Christ or worship Christ. When Christ was on earth men worshipped him but He established a change in John 16.  Some talked to Christ as they looked upon him but we have no such experience.  We are to pray to the Father through Christ and are authorized to worship the Father.

—Jon Macon