The Order of Worship

By Dr. Jeffrey T. Rainey

We have the “Order of Worship” because we want the worship to be planned, the ways to be proper, the work to be performed, the whole to be profitable, and the will to be pure. We have the “Order of Worship” so we can plan to be identified, involved, included, improved, and increased.

Since we have an “order,” let us get in order, be in order, and do things in order “For God is not the author of confusion…” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Our God is a God of order. Hence, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664244085

Dr. Jeffrey T. Rainey

Dr. Jeffrey T. Rainey graduated from Alabama A. & M. University, Huntsville Alabama with a BS Degree in Business Administration. He earned his Master of Theology (2011), Master of Divinity (2012), and Doctor of Ministry (2015) from Faith Evangelical College and Seminary, now Faith International University, in Tacoma, Washington. He has pastored the Christian Union Primitive Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama since June 10, 1984. He has served as the Bible Expositor of the National Primitive Baptist Convention since 1998. His gifts has made room for him on platforms, on panels, and in pulpits across the United States. He is married to the former Carolyn Suzette Hunter. They have two daughters: Caryn (Brandon) Scott and Carmen Suzette Rainey, and one grandson, Caleb Javon Scott.,

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-4409-2 (sc)

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WestBow Press rev. date: 9/20/2021

CONTENTS

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Chapter 1     The Structure of Worship

Chapter 2     The Schedule for Worship

Chapter 3     The Summons to Worship

Chapter 4     The Statement Before Worship

Chapter 5     The Songs in Worship

Chapter 6     The Scriptures in Worship

Chapter 7     The Supplications in Worship

Chapter 8     The Salutations in Worship

Chapter 9     The Stewardship in Worship

Chapter 10   The Sermon in Worship

Chapter 11   The Solicitation in Worship

Chapter 12   The Surrender in Worship

Chapter 13   The Seal on Worship

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THE STRUCTURE OF WORSHIP

Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40)

The Church at Corinth had a number of difficulties. One area in which they had difficulties was public worship. Their "Order of Worship" was, in reality, a Disorder of Worship. Anyone who wanted to sing, speak in tongues, interpret, and so on, did so whenever and wherever in the worship they wanted. It was chaotic and confusing. Therefore, Paul gave a general principle for the Worship. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).

While the core and the context of this chapter deals with speaking: the person authorized to speak, the purposed affirmed to speak, and the place allocated to speak, Paul capsules, captions, and concludes that "all things (πάντα) that pertain to whatever be done (γινέσθω) in public worship on the part of the assembled congregation; whether Paul happens to have mentioned it specifically here or not, should be done decently and in order."

When we arrive at the House of Worship, we receive a Bulletin. The Bulletin lists the prepared agenda, the programmed activities, the person(s) authorized, and the place allocated. The first thing we note and notice on the prepared agenda is the "Order of Worship."

In order for me to do a thorough treatment of this topic and this text, I will have to back into the verse. I will have to preach the verse backwards. So, in consideration of this passage and the program, we have the "Order of Worship" because we need and we want:

I. THE WORSHIP TO BE PLANNED

… in order (1 Corinthians 14:40)

The phrase "in order suggests planning because in order means in sequence, in succession. In order is the disposition of things following one after another. In order means there is an arrangement made. The Worship is planned because all things do not just fall in order on their own or by themselves. So, our Order of Worship" is planned. Worship is planned because it does not just happen. It is not happenstance. It is not haphazard. It is harmonized. It is planned.

The word "order" is the Greek word taksis. It carries the idea of "something done in a fitting way or something done according to order." The Jewish historian Josephus used the word taksis when he recorded the orderly way in which the Roman army erected their camps, indicating their camps were orderly, organized, and well-planned. The commanders did not engage in last-minute planning. Their camps were not hastily thrown together but rather set up in an organized and thoughtful manner.

The important thing is that the time of worship should not be something thrown together at the last minute with no thought or organization. After all, we are talking about believers coming together to worship the Almighty God! Therefore, when we plan corporate worship, it should be well thought out and organized.

Planning indicates that it is not just thrown together, but some time, some thought, and some toil was given to this task.

The Worship is planned for:

(1) the Lord to be exemplified

God is a God of order. Look at the order in:

a. God’s World. God’s creation has order. The place and the path of the planets have order. The sun has order. The earth has order. The seasons have order. Days have order. The elements have order. This is an orderly world.

b. God’s Word. The Old and the New Testament are order. There is an order for roles in the Church and in the home. There is an order for regeneration. We have to perceive, believe, and receive. We must admit, commit, and submit. There is an order for requests. We are to ask, to seek, and to knock.

c. God’s Work. God’s order is backwards and before. He sees the ending before the beginning. It is simply provision, which means God sees before. Before the problem arises, God has the solution. Before the question is asked, God has the answer. Before man sinned, God had a plan for his salvation.

d. God’s Worship. Because God is a God of order, then our worship must have order so that the Lord is exemplified. We cannot exemplify a God of order in a disorderly worship.

(2) the laity to be expectant

When members come to worship, they should know what to expect. They should know the format, the features, and the flow of the worship. One does not want to be on edge and uneasy, and uncomfortable in my house…

(3) the liturgy to be edifying

"Liturgy means order of worship." Accordingly, we plan worship so that those who come will be edified. We plan the genre for each group that gathers. We want everyone to be blessed while they are here and better after they leave as a result of the worship.

II. THE WAYS TO BE PROPER – DECENTLY

… decently … (1 Corinthians 14:40)

The word "decently is the Greek word euschemonos. Other than this verse, the word euschemonos" is only found two other times in the New Testament—in Romans 13:13 and in 1 Thessalonians 4:12. In both of these places, it is translated "to do something honestly or to walk honestly." It carries the notion of something that is done properly as opposed to improperly. It has to do with intent and motivation more than outward action, although such a good intention always results in right actions.

Proper has to do with:

(1) the appropriateness of the task

Everything is not appropriate for worship. Therefore, some things are not placed in the "order of worship" intentionally because it is not appropriate. Appropriateness has to do with:

a. the kind of task. Praise Dancing is not appropriate for worship. Praise Dancing is more about entertainment than enhancement. Praise Dancing is for other stages and other settings like programs, banquets, and concerts. I have had people to request a Praise Dance for a funeral. It is inappropriate. Stepping is inappropriate for worship. Stepping is from the Fraternity or Sorority Order. That should take place in step shows and rallies. It is inappropriate for worship. Rap Music is inappropriate for worship. Just because you add spiritual lyric to the rhythm does not make it appropriate. Rap music has its origin and orientation in secular society. Everything we hear on the radio and music shows and performed in concerts does not make it appropriate for worship.

So, we cannot do as some, as society, or as the secular. Everything we do should be and must be fitting and befitting.

b. the keeping of the task. Sometimes, persons performing task take advantage of the assignment and of the audience. That is, they do additional. It is inappropriate to do what you have not been asked to do. In this event, there has to be a keeper. The keeper in the worship is the pastor. Contrary to what is thought, the pastor is the leader of the worship and is responsible for making sure the order and the task are done with all good seemliness.

Now, I say that I am the spirit in the worship. I did not say that I was the Holy Spirit. I am the spirit in the worship because every task should be trusted and true. You see, some people get up to do a task they have been assigned or asked to do and then act like the Spirit has made it impossible for them to do what they have been assigned or asked. Now, here is where the pastor being the spirit comes in. If the pastor is the leader of the worship and the Holy Spirit is dictating and directing the pastor, then the Holy Spirit will not move on you to act outside of what He has directed the pastor to assign you or ask you to do.

So, if you feel you are more spiritual and cannot submit to the spirit, then do not agree to the assignment. If you are asked to read the Scripture, do not interpret it. If you are asked to speak, do not sing. If you are asked to sing, do not talk. Do what you are assigned and asked to do. To over talk your task and to overdo your task is inappropriate. That is not the proper way.

(2) the attitude towards the task

Our attitude towards a task should