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Scriptural basis for the major elements in the Truth Bible Church service
Overall, the Truth Bible Church Worship Service is modeled after Acts 2:42
"They (the early church) were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
10:00-10:30a Prayer & Praise (fulfills Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, and John 4:24)
This time can possibly include a welcome, opening prayer, call to worship, reading Psalms/Scriptures, singing hymns, contemporary praise songs, special music, and sharing praises by those in the congregation. The goal of this time is worshipping God through music that is both passionate and participatory worship, rather than spectator worship that merely watches others or views the music/worship as a show or time of entertainment. John 4:24 says, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." There are many different styles of music, but as long as the style promotes Biblical standards of worship - namely having the right spirit (motive) and words/content that are completely in line with the truth (Scripture), it is acceptable worship to God and people should consider their own personal preferences of style as secondary. Worship through music should be directed to the praise of God rather than the praise of men, be reverent and orderly, and be the expression of the congregation as a whole rather than the performance of a few. The words of every song will be carefully screened so that they are in line with Scripture, theologically correct, and words that glorify God by expressing the truth of who God is, what He has done, and what He will do in the future. Most of our songs will be sung directly to God, not just about God (preference of words that are in the 2nd person rather than 3rd person), because we know He is always present with us. There will also be songs or special music that edify and encourage the body of Christ because Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 state we should speak to one another with hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. Therefore, a blended service using both traditional hymns and contemporary praise songs will be utilized that seeks a balance of styles and the congregation’s combined voices as the primary sound/instrument.
10:30-10:50a Ordinances & Offering (fulfills Mt. 28:19, 1 Cor. 11:20-33, 16:2, 2 Cor. 9:7)
After the music, we seek to obey the commands (ordinances) of our Lord Jesus (baptism and communion). Baptism will be available weekly so the church can support immediate obedience, rather than scheduled obedience, and not miss out or minimize the excitement in celebrating the same day or week when someone commits their life to Christ and crosses over from death to life (John 5:24). Baptism in water does not save anyone, but it is the first commandment after one is saved (repenting and placing your full faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior) that Jesus gives for a believer to publicly demonstrate that they are His disciple and He is their Lord (Matthew 28:19-20). Thus, baptism is the biblical altar call or way to publicly show what you believe (Christ’s death and resurrection on your behalf), what you have committed (death to your old life of sin and slavery to serve Christ as Lord), and what has just happened in your life (symbol to show you have been spiritually washed/cleansed from all your sin and resurrection to be a new creation). Communion or the Lord's Table will also be offered regularly (usually weekly) as it keeps us thankful, hopeful, humble, and eternally minded. It not only keeps our focus on Jesus by remembering his death, burial, and resurrection; it is a great protection and accountability for the church in calling for regular confession and correction of sin. During a final song, everyone will be encouraged to fill out connection cards that track contact information, prayer requests, and attendance. This time will also be utilized to prepare financial gifts and to worship the Lord through giving.
10:50-11:40a Proclamation & Preaching (fulfills 2 Tim. 4:2 and Acts 2:42, and 1 Timothy 5:17)
The preaching time may include a Gospel message or testimony (5-10 minutes), followed by the main equipping message (40-45 minutes). The purity, priority, and power of Scripture demands an emphasis and priority on preaching and teaching the Bible. We aim to not only communicate the Word accurately but to live it out practically. These two messages can be switched in order, or the gospel/testimony may be interdispersed at times in the music time. The benefit will be that no matter what Sunday someone invites a guest, their guest will hear the gospel if they are an unbeliever, or if they are a believer, they will grow from an in-depth teaching of the Word of God. Equipping messages primarily will preach through books of the Bible verse by verse, but occasionally there will be topical messages that will explain a certain topic of the Christian life by still teaching specific Scriptures in context. Additionally, the two sermon approach (gospel message and equipping message) allows all the Elders, in addition to the Lead Pastor, to preach regularly. This establishes the authority of the Elders and promotes following the Bible by a plurality of Elders rather than a single man. This also allows other godly men to be trained and to practice preaching (starting with the smaller gospel message). This approach allows the gospel to be preached weekly and uniquely with fresh voices (this will encourage people inviting friends to church knowing the gospel will be preached every week but also knowing they will be fed as believers every week). This affords the Lead Pastor to exercise his teaching gift weekly (important for visitors because many will decide to join a church based on the Lead Pastor’s preaching), but also allows him to occasionally take the mini gospel message and give the equipping message to other Elders and godly men in the church so they can utilize and excel in their Bible teaching/preaching. This approach promotes leadership, training and development.
11:40a-12:00p Announcements & Afterservice Fellowship (fulfills John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:13-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25)
After the sermon, the church will break into small application groups led by an Elder or church leaders to focus specifically on sermon application, accountability, and prayer. These groups will hopefully become the building blocks and momentum for home Bible studies led by the same leaders throughout the week. During this time the Pastor will host a separate group to meet with any visitors to get to know them, tell them about the church, and answer their questions. Eventually new guests will be incorporated into the church and other application groups. This can also be a great time to futher explain the gospel to those the Holy Spirit is convicting of sin and convincing to receive the gospel and follow Jesus as Savior and Lord. The goal is for everyone to not just be hearers of the Word, but doers that put it into practice. The service will end with announcements and dismiss at 12:00p so parents can get their children. We invite people to stay after the service to fellowship. The Pastor and leadership team will be available after the service to greet visitors, pray with people, offer counsel, or answer questions.
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