Resources

When discussing the regulative principle of worship - the concept that we are to do only that which God commands in his worship - the conversation often focuses only on Old Testament passages. This is understandable since much of the regulation of worship is spelled out in great detail in the Old Testament, however it is unfortunate because it can create the impression that the New Covenant may have a different standard for worship. However, when we look carefully in the New Testament we can see that God still regulates his worship and he has determined what worship is acceptable to him even in the New Covenant church.

In this audio message, Joe Morecraft discusses the topic of the preaching of God's Word. The power of Scripture and preaching is significant. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Pastors need to be faithful in preaching the Word of God and not adding to or taking away from it. The unregenerate are not saved by the clever and persuasive words and theories of men. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) - "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

In this sermon by Dr. Joseph Morecraft, III, the focus is on John Calvin's views on missions and evangelism, particularly in the context of Calvin's Geneva. Calvin believed that his doctrine of predestination intensified the zeal for evangelism and world missions, as it motivated people to spread the gospel all over the world. He saw the preaching of the gospel as the means by which God saves his people in this world, and that through the faithful preaching of the gospel, Christ would defend his doctrine, making ministers of the gospel victorious over the whole world. Calvin's view on the Great Commission is that it aims to bring all nations to the obedience of faith, and through the preaching of the gospel, Christ's kingdom will be established in all nations.

One of the core tenets of Reformation theology is sola scriptura, that is, scripture alone is the supreme and infallible authority of the church. A necessary correlation to scripture alone being the final authority, is the concept that scripture is sufficient. In this message, Dr. Joseph Morecraft argues that scripture is sufficient for all areas of life; that "the bible is divinely authoritative in everything about which it speaks, and it speaks about everything." ---- At a conference on the sufficiency of scripture, it's always good to have a time in which we deal with this doctrine where it's found in scripture. How the Bible defines it. What's the biblical basis for it? What are some of the implications of it? And that's what we're going to do in the next 45 minutes.  And I want you to turn with me to a couple of passages in Deuteronomy where we're going to begin. In Deuteronomy chapter 4 and Chapter 12. Let me read just a few verses from the first part of the 4th chapter, verse one, "And now O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform in order that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you nor take away from it. That you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the Lord has done in the case of Baal Peor, for all the men who followed Baal Peor the Lord your God has destroyed them from among you. But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you. See I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them. For that is your wisdom and your understanding and the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on him. Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today. Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently. Lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. But make th

In Matthew 16:13-19, Jesus, the Head and King of the church gave to His church "the keys of the kingdom." Keys are symbols of authority (Revelation 1:18). Therefore, in giving the church the keys of the kingdom, He was giving to it the authority and prerogative of self-government. No one else could impose their authority over the church. It could elect its own officers, enforce its own constitution and determine its own membership. That church authority is defined and limited by the Word of God. Therefore, the keys of the kingdom are really the Word of God. That all-sufficient Word is all the church needs to govern itself.

Here in this video, we learn of the role of music in true worship. We learn that music is a means to an end, not the end itself. Music is for the worship of God not our own emotional high. Music should arouse our hearts to the worship of God not just arouse our emotions. 

How does God want to be worshiped? This seemingly simple question is one of the most important that any person can ask. The historic Reformed position has been known as the regulative principle of worship, which is essentially the concept that God and God alone is the one who determines what is appropriate in worship and what kind of worship he will receive. God determines how he will be worshiped and man has no right to add anything of his own invention to it. The Old Testament is replete with examples of God regulating the worship practices of his people and is foundational to understanding the regulative principle.

In the sermon, 'How God Wants to Be Worshipped,' Scott Brown emphasizes the importance of worshiping God according to the instructions found in the Bible. He explains the regulative principle, which states that we should only include worship elements that are prescribed by the Word of God. Brown notes that this principle helps maintain a focus on God rather than on ourselves, and that humility is a crucial aspect of worship. The sermon also delves into the debate surrounding adiaphora, or indifferent things in worship, between Anglicans and Puritans. The speaker ultimately advocates for a simple, scripture-based approach to worship that prioritizes obedience to God's commands.

Humans are made to worship God. That is the great purpose for which mankind was made, to glorify and enjoy God forever in worship. In Heaven, God is perfectly worshipped by the angels and those who have gone on before us. However, when the church meets together, and when we worship in our families and privately, we join that heavenly band in worship of our glorious God. And that is what worship should be, a small taste of heaven on earth.

The doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture teaches that the Holy Scriptures are the only infallible source of knowledge and wisdom for all of Christian life and practice. The Bible is the textbook that we learn from regarding what man ought to believe about God and what duty God requires from man. And one of these duties is that of church discipline. While church discipline is not a popular concept today it is unquestionably biblical and necessary for the health of the church. Scripture, and not human opinion, is the only sufficient rule-book which guides Christ's church in exercising discipline.

One of the most helpful ways to understand the Reformed regulative principle of worship is to look at the Reformed confessions (Westminster, London Baptist, Savoy, etc.) and see what they say about the worship of God. These confessional statements are careful, precisely worded documents written by men who thought seriously and clearly about these issues, reflected on the Biblical teaching and set them to paper. These concise documents, making the important and necessary distinctions and clarifications are very helpful for better understanding the doctrine.