One of the ways in every age that God's people have shown reverence and respect for God is by listening to God's word. One way to show respect to any important person is to listen to him speak. Since God is greater than anyone on earth, Christians should reverence God by eagerly listening to God's instructions.

From the beginning of the church great importance was placed on teaching Christians. The very first Christians "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42). They continually received the apostles' teaching. In the Jerusalem church the Christians received teaching and preaching daily (Acts 5:42). One of the reasons the early church grew so fast was due to the people's desire to learn daily. In Africa as teaching the church is limited to one sermon on Sunday, the church grows slowly. The more teaching the church receives the faster the church grows.

God's great plan for spreading the gospel and the church is based on teaching. Matthew 28:19,20 gives that plan. All nations are to be taught the gospel. Believers are to be taught all the truth of Christ.

Acts 20:7 shows that Paul taught the church on Sunday when the church assembled for worship. This example shows that worship is one proper time to teach the church. When Christians listen to God's word with reverence and respect, they are worshipping. One can see the importance of giving the church sound teaching by reading I Thessalonians 2:3-12 and Colossians 1:23-29.

The greatest responsibility for helping the church worship through teaching rests on the teacher. The preacher must teach the word of God and not his own opinions. The power (Romans 1:16) and the truth (John 8:31,32) is in the word of God, not the preacher's opinions. The preacher must meet the spiritual needs of the people in his sermon. He must be well prepared to teach a good lesson. The people should be able to see that his teaching comes from his heart and is given in sincerity and love.

To worship through receiving teaching, one must understand the lesson. He must feel appreciation for the word of God. The lesson should be received seriously in one's heart. There must be an attitude of worship during the teaching, the attitude of reverence and respect for God and Christ.

Worship through teaching edifies Christians. It causes them to grow more spiritually mature.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Give one way God's people have always shown God reverence and respect.

2. Give one reason the early church grew so fast.

3. Give God's plan in Matthew 28:19,29 for spreading the gospel and the church.

4. In Acts 20:7, what did Paul do when the church assembled for worship?

5. How are Christians able to worship through receiving teaching?

6. Give 2 scriptures that show the importance of giving Christians sound teaching?

7. Who has the greatest responsibility in helping the church worship through teaching?

8. Tell the things the preacher must do to help the church worship through teaching.

9. Tell the things the listener must do to worship through receiving teaching.

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