Core Practices Part 1 (Worship Service)

#MONDAYRECAPFICB Yesterday, on our Sunday service, we started a new series, which is somehow a continuation of last Sunday’s message, dealing with our five core practices here in Filadelfia International Church.

But first, what is a core practice?

A core practice is also called a spiritual discipline. Here in FIC, we define this as a practice or discipline that creates space for the Spirit to transform us from the inside out. As we practice these disciplines, they open us up to God to change us at the deepest level.

Here in FIC, we try to focus and be intentional in these five core practices:
1. Worship service (Sunday service)
2. Lifelines (Small groups)
3. Prayer
4. Serving
5. Bible reading

So we start today with the core practice of weekly corporate worship.

What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything is to be done for building up. 1 Corinthians 14:26

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and prayer. Acts 2:42

1. It’s a corporate practice.

Your presence matters and is needed!
It is something that should not be neglected but rather encouraged.
Application: Show up!

2. We are exhorted to actively participate.

Our participation starts with our preparation, particularly the preparation of our hearts!
Application: Sing, pray, encourage, give.

3. It’s for the building up of the church, the body of Christ.

Everything is to be done for building up. Application: Serve with your spiritual gifts!

4. It’s for the glory of God.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Application: Engage with God! Worship Him wholeheartedly.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25

Time to ask yourself these questions:

■ How are we following Jesus and growing in this practice?
■ Is the worship service non-negotiable to me?
■ Am I actively participating in worship?
■ Do I prepare my heart to worship?
■ How am I contributing to the building up of the church?
■ Is God glorified in our worship?