Bible Study: Divine Service Intro

Opening Hymn: LSB 409:1 Hail, O Source of Every Blessing Psalm 85 Creed (Back Cover) Lord’s Prayer (Back Cover)

The Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

1. Why the “Divine Service”?

2. God serves us with his gifts (Sacramental)

3. Holy Absolution

4. Sacraments

5. Proclamation of the Word

6. We respond in thanksgiving (Sacrificial)

7. We sing praises

8. We show our esteem for his gifts in our ceremonies

9. Why the liturgy? a. Luther- “The (divine) service now in common use everywhere goes back to

genuine Christian beginnings, as does the office of preaching....it is not our intention to do away with the service but to restore it to its proper use” (LW 53, 11)

1. Has our liturgy changed since the time of the New Testament? Luther?

2. Of course, but we do our best to maintain that which we received,

making changes only for the sake of the Gospel.

1. It’s not that we can’t ever change the liturgy, rather that the

concept of having a set order of service was established by God

himself, as he instructed the people of Israel how to worship.

1. What’s the proper use of the liturgy?

2. Bringing the Gospel to us.

3. Letting the Word of God always predominate

b. Uniformity in the church

1. We don’t have to do what our neighbors do.

2. But it is helpful for everyone- for teaching and peace among us all.

3. What MUST we have in the liturgy a. The proclamation of the Word b. The administration of the Sacraments c. Why?

i. If God has given us something as a means to receive his grace, we can have confidence that these are both pleasing to him, and always where he will be present for us for our salvation.

4. What about all of the other things we have in our liturgy, Songs, prayers, psalms, etc.? a. Are they commanded or forbidden? No. However . . .

i. ii. iii. iv. v.

They help to promote good order (1 Cor. 14:40) They promote peace (preferences of one group don’t rule) They teach the faith They promote reverence and faithfulness They express the common faith of the congregation

Conclusion: There is God desires above all things is that we believe in him. So, the church uses liturgical worship, not because it is the only thing that is right before God, but because it promotes peace among men, along with a host of other blessings. We do not have to worship in this way, but it has been the practice of the people of God throughout history, and love for our neighbor calls upon us not to change the forms handed down to us.

Prayer Before Worship (Inside cover of the hymnal)