A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 6: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i t y : The “Corporate” Di sc i p l i nes 269

c. The gifts are highly present, 1 Cor. 12-14.

d. The Word of God is proclaimed, 2 Tim 4.1ff.

e. The sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise is offered to God, Ps. 100.

D. Practical concerns (note Foster’s “Avenues into Worship,” p. 166ff.)

1. Surrender yourself to the Great Commandment as a calling and lifestyle, (i.e., to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength, Deut. 6.4ff.)

2. Recognize the importance of your calling as a priest of the Lord Most High , and your body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit.

a. Adopt the mindset of a priest.

b. Minister as a called person in corporate worship together with the other saints, who are also called to bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord, Heb. 13.15 – Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

3. Use the Psalter (the Psalms) and the hymnbook as the most prominent and helpful literature in existence of worship of God.

a. The Psalms give the language of the heart to the Lord.