We Are a House of Prayer and Worship
Portland Gospel Church during a Sunday worship service.
Portland Gospel Church Is a Place of Worship
Portland Gospel Church is a place of worship. More than anything else we can be or focus on, this must remain our priority.
In this series, we are looking at the personification of wisdom in Proverbs chapter 9, and developing the pillars of our church through a house build on wisdom.
Proverbs 9:1
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
The house of God in the Old Testament was the tabernacle and the temple, but now it is the people of God, the church. We can study the bible to see similarities and differences in both of those houses to get God’s wisdom and heart for how a church can thrive and be healthy.
What Did the House of God do in the Old Testament?
Frequently throughout the Old Testament, the tabernacle and the temple are called house or "the house of God"(Judges 18:31). This phrase was meant to identify a place where God dwelled, in the "most holy place" (Exo 26:34) and "between the cherubims" (2 Kings 19:15). All the men of Israel were required to come to the house of God to worship three times in a year (Deut 16:16).
The temple and the tabernacle could not contain the entirety of God's presence, for He is greater than the entire universe (2 Chron 2:6), and abides outside of it in the third heaven (2 Cor 12:2). Yet still, the house of God was a place where God's people could come and dwell with Him (Exodus 29:46).
The way Israel worshipped at the temple and tabernacle was through sacrifice and offering (Lev 17:5), giving of firstfruits (Neh 10:37), music and praise (1 Chron 6:31-32, Psalm 27:6), reading from God's word (Deut 31:11), and remembering how God delivered them (Deut 16:2). The majority of these functions were done through the priests and Levites, whom God appointed in service to Him (Deut 18:1).
Offering - animal and grain sacrifice (Lev 17:5)
Tithing - giving of firstfruits (Neh10:37)
Praise - music, singing, and praise (1 Chron 6:31-32, Psalm 27:6)
God's Word - regular reading (Deut 31:11)
Remembrance - the passover feast (Deut 16:2).
Leaders - priests and Levites (Deut 18:1).
What is the House of God in the New Testament?
The church is not dissimilar from the Old Testament place of worship, though it is quite different, being called clearly in the New Testament, "the house of God" (1 Timothy 3:15). The building as a place of worship in Jerusalem was destroyed and now the people of God worship together as that building, where God not takes up residence inside of us as "lively stones… built up a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5).
Now that salvation has come through Jesus Christ, everyone that believes in Him is "born again" (John 3:3) and indwelt by the Spirit of God (1 John 4:12). This means that as the people of God assemble, they become the "habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22). This is the sense in which "ye are the temple of the living God"(2 Cor 6:16). While Christians have a relationship with God on their own, they are mean to gather together to be that temple. This is the sense in which we are "builded together" (Eph 2:22).
The church does not have a sacrificial system, because Christ is our passover (1 Cor 5:7), and the law is no longer necessary because “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness” (Rom 10:4). We study the Old Testament because it is “written for our learning” (Rom 15:4), and as we compare scripture with scripture we can see similarities.
Just as Israel had means of worship at the house of God, so does the church when they assemble. The church is still a place of “spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5), the saints give (1 for 9:13-14), believers sing praises to God together (Col 3:16), God’s word is studied and preached (2 Tim 4:2), remembrance is made of our redemption (1 Cor 11:25), and pastors function as spiritual leaders of God’s house (Acts 20:28).
Offering - spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5)
Giving - we support God's mission (1 Cor 9:13-14)
Praise - music, singing, and praise (Col 3:16)
God's Word - regular study of the bible (2 Tim 4:2)
Remembrance - keeping the Lord's supper (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Leaders - pastors oversee the church (Acts 20:28)
Portland Gospel Church during a prayer service.
Portland Gospel Church Is a House of PRayer
One issue that Jesus had with the temple as the "house of God" was the distortion of its sacrifices. Israel's leaders had become corrupt and Jesus rebuked them, which reminded them of God's heart for His house, "for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people"(Isaiah 56:7).
We see clearly from Isaiah and Jesus (Matt 21:13) that God wanted people to commune with Him in prayer at this place. We must also be careful that the church, as the new house of God, does not become an overly complicated place where we neglect communion with God in prayer together.
The church is frequently found praying together in their gatherings (Acts 2:42, 12:5). For this reason, we also want to prioritize corporate communion with God in prayer. It may not be the entirety of our services, but we want to allow time and space in our gatherings to be intentional in this way.
Prayer cannot be separated from worship or else it becomes vain. Real prayer is an expression of dependency upon God, seeking his will, and giving Him thanks.
How Should the Church Respond?
The church must be a house of worship. It cannot turn into a social club or a societal wellness campaign. The church exists to serve and worship God, representing Him in the world, and calling others into relationship with Him. For this reason, our church's first key pillar is that of worship and prayer. We cannot waiver from our foundational purposes given to us by God.
For this reason, we will assemble regularly, in honor and observance of our God, seeking to function together in healthy ways to draw others into His fellowship.
Key Questions:
What similarities and differences are there between the Old Testament and the New Testament house of God?
What are the primary functions and responsibilities of the house of God?
How does the church being a house of prayer focus our gatherings and our worship?
Who Is Portland Gospel Church?
Portland Gospel Church is an independent Baptist church in Southwest Portland Oregon, serving the Portland metro area including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Aloha, and surrounding communities.
Join us each Sunday for worship, expository Bible preaching, fellowship, prayer, and opportunities for gospel outreach.
New to church? We'd love to meet you and answer any questions you may have.
Service Times:
Sunday Evening Service – 6PM
Wednesday Bible Study – 6:30 PM
Visit our website: portlandgospel.org