Most Christians agree that God cares that we worship Him. But far fewer stop to ask how He wants to be worshiped. In today’s episode, we explore what Scripture actually teaches about corporate worship—worship gathered with the body of Christ—and why our worship must be shaped by God’s Word rather than cultural preferences or personal tastes.

Drawing from Scripture and guided by the insights of Ligon Duncan’s Does God Care How We Worship?, we’ll walk through three major pillars: the sufficiency of Scripture, God’s deep concern for His worship, and the helpful framework known as the regulative principle.

I. The sufficiency of Scripture 

A. Scripture, not preference, must shape our worship.

B. 2 Timothy 3:16–17

C. 1 Corinthians 4:6

II. God cares deeply about how he is worshiped.

A.    Worship must be willing, God-centered, and ordered.

B.    God cares about the attitude behind worship.

C.    Worship was the purpose of the Exodus (Ex. 3–5)

D.   Worship is tied to the first Two Commandments (Ex. 20)

E.    Bad Worship Examples

• Golden Calf (Ex. 32) 

• Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10) 

• King Saul (1 Sam. 13)

F.    Jesus and Paul care about worship. 

• Pharisees (Matt. 15:3; 23:23)

• Woman at the well (John 4)

• Paul to Colossae (Col .2)

• Paul to Corinth (1 Cor. 14)

III. The regulative principle of worship.

A.    Substance — what worship Is made Of

B.    Elements — what we are commanded to do

• Read the Word (1 Tim. 4:13)

• Preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2)

• Pray the Word (Matt. 21:13)

• Sing the Word (Col. 3:16)

• See the Word — baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:26)

C.    Forms — how we carry out the elements

D.   Circumstances — practical logistics

Know & Do Application

• Sometimes the knowing is the doing.

• Know what Scripture teaches about worship.

• Find a church that worships biblically—and join joyfully in giving God the glory due His name.

Handout Resource

Serving in the church isn’t optional—it’s a beautiful expectation for every Christian. God equips each believer with spiritual gifts and then places us together in a local body to advance His mission: spreading the good news of Christ. Those who embrace this calling with the right heart find lifelong joy in service; those who approach it self-centeredly often find only frustration.

Today, we turn to 1 Peter 4:7–11 to understand how Scripture shapes our approach to serving: our attitude, our method, and ultimately, the point of all our service.

I. The proper attitude of service (vv. 7–8)

1. Keep the end in mind.

2. Keep yourself controlled.

3. Keep your heart attuned to love.

II. The proper method of service (vv. 9–11a)

1. Elevate the person over the task.

2. Be a good steward of your gifts.

• Speaking—11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God;

• Serving— whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies

III. The proper point of service—God’s glory (v. 11b)

Final Encouragement

Serving isn’t about fulfilling personal dreams or finding the spotlight. It’s not about guilt or self-importance. It is about joyfully, humbly offering yourself to God in the context of His church.

So—plug into a local church. Serve for God’s glory.

Resource Handout

We all need encouragement. In today’s episode, we’re discussing how Christians can build one another up in the church—strengthening, restoring, and encouraging each other in both challenging seasons and the everyday rhythms of life.

I. Encouraging Others in Hard Situations (Galatians 6:1–2)

II. Encouraging Others in Everyday Life

A. Be intentional:

i. Plan to encourage other Christians (Heb. 10:24).

ii. Be present with other Christians (Heb. 10:25).

iii. Invite Christians into your home (1 Pet. 4:9).

iv. Make peace with Christians (Rom. 14:19).

B. Be sacrificial:

i. Serve Christians (1 Pet. 4:10).

ii. Love Christians (1 Cor. 8:1).

C. Be bold and patient:

i. Exhort Christians (Heb. 3:13).

ii. Rebuke laziness, energize tiredness, strengthen weakness (1 Thess. 5:14).

iii. Be patient (1 Thess. 5:14). be patient with them all.

iv. Build with your words; do not tear down (Eph. 4:29).

D. Be mindful:

i. Be encouraged by other’s faith in Christ (Rom. 1:11–12).

ii. Remember what Christians are (Eph. 2:21).

Challenge for the Week:

Think of someone in your church who could use encouragement. Reach out this week—and do it again next week. Build up the body of Christ one person at a time.

Encouragement is not optional—it’s essential. It’s how we reflect Christ to one another and display His love to the world.

Handout Resource

Every organization has standards that define who belongs—and the church is no different. But unlike the world, when the church practices discipline, it’s not about punishment—it’s about love, protection, and restoration. In this episode, we examine Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 5 to understand how church discipline operates, its necessity, and what it reveals about God’s heart for His people.

I. The Church Is Commanded to Discipline Wayward Members (vv. 1–5)

Paul confronts a case of open sin in the Corinthian church—something even unbelievers found shocking. Paul reminds them that the loving response is not to ignore sin but to address it. Jesus gave the same instruction in Matthew 18: if someone refuses to repent after patient correction, the church must separate from them. The purpose isn’t punishment but restoration—“so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” Church discipline is an act of love that protects both the sinner and the church from greater harm.

II. If We Try to Spare the One, We Damage the Many (vv. 6–8)

Paul warns, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Just as yeast spreads through dough, unchecked sin spreads through a congregation. Allowing sin to continue sends the message that holiness doesn’t matter. But because Christ, our Passover Lamb, has already cleansed us, we’re called to live as people of sincerity and truth. Confronting sin isn’t about shame—it’s about helping one another live in the freedom Jesus purchased for us.

III. The Church Must Be Identified by What It Condones (vv. 9–13)

Paul draws a clear line between the world and the church: we don’t judge outsiders, but we are responsible for one another inside the body. When practiced rightly, church discipline strengthens the church’s witness, protects its members, and displays God’s holiness to the world.

Handout Resource

What does godly leadership look like in the church—and how are we called to respond to it?

In this episode, we’re continuing our series, Understanding the Church, by discussing what it means to respond to leadership biblically. Because when leadership isn’t clearly defined, confusion sets in. But when pastors lead like Christ and the church responds with humility and faith, the whole body thrives.

We’ll walk through 1 Peter 5 and Hebrews 13 to see what Scripture says about:

I. What we should expect from church leaders

1. What should they do (v. 2)? Shepherd

2. Who should they shepherd (v. 2)? The flock of God among you

3. How should they shepherd (vv. 2–3)?

• With authority

• Not under compulsion but willingly

• Not for shameful gain but eagerly

• Not domineering but being an example

4. To whom are they ultimately accountable (v. 4)? The chief Shepherd

• John 13:14–17

• Mark 10:45

II. How we should respond to that leadership

1. Imitate them. “imitate their faith”

2. Obey them. “Obey your leaders”

3. Submit to their leadership. “submit to them”

4. Recognize the great responsibility they bear. “they are keeping watch over your souls”

5. Hold them accountable. “, as those who will have to give an account”

6. Encourage them. “Let them do this with joy and not with groaning”

7. Pray for them “Pray for us”

Handout

In this episode, we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home for many believers—dissatisfaction in the church. Why do people so often feel let down by their church? Is it always because something is truly wrong—or could it be that our expectations are off?

From Philippians 2:14–18, we’ll look at how Paul calls believers to handle dissatisfaction in a way that protects unity, cultivates joy, and keeps the focus where it belongs—on Christ and His purposes for the church.

Main Ideas

1. Don’t Be a Complainer (vv. 14–15)

• Paul says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

• The church should be marked by unity and joy, not complaint and division.

• Complaining might feel justified, but over time, it can destroy fellowship and joy in a church body.

• Before speaking out of frustration, ask:

i. Am I helping or hurting unity?

ii. Am I acting like a child of God, shining as a light in a dark world—or dimming the light of Christ’s church?

2. Remember the End Goal (v. 16)

• Our goal is not our personal satisfaction—it’s faithfulness until the day of Christ.

• Common dissatisfactions often come from personal preference rather than biblical conviction.

• If your concerns are biblical and real, bring them forward in a way that builds up, not tears down.

• Ask: Are my expectations shaped by Scripture or by comfort?

3. Count Dissatisfaction as Part of the Cost (vv. 17–18)

• Even Paul—writing from prison—could rejoice amid sacrifice and hardship.

• In the same way, we can learn to count dissatisfaction as a small cost of life in a fallen world and a broken church.

• Pray for your attitude.

• Pray for others.

• When you must express dissatisfaction, do it biblically and graciously, seeking to build up Christ’s body.

Scripture to Reflect On

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

— Philippians 2:14–15

Handout

Until next time—grace and peace.

In this episode, we’re talking about fellowship—a word Christians love to use but rarely define. We tend to label almost any kind of social activity as “fellowship”—from golf outings to coffee meetups—but biblical fellowship is something far deeper.

True Christian fellowship isn’t just about shared interests; it’s about a shared Savior. It’s rooted in our relationship with Christ and built on the foundation of His finished work.

Main Idea: Biblical fellowship is Christians joyfully seeking Christ together.

Key Points

• Definition: Biblical fellowship takes place among believers who are united in joy, pursuing Christ side by side through His Word and prayer (Acts 2:42).

• Foundation: Christ Himself is both the means and the end of our fellowship. It’s not merely about being together—it’s about drawing near to God together through Him (Heb. 10:19–22).

• The Church’s Role: The local church isn’t meant to entertain us but to lead us into genuine fellowship. When we give ourselves to this kind of community, friendship and joy naturally follow.

Marks of True Fellowship (Hebrews 10:23–25):

1. A shared confession of faith

2. Seeking good works

3. Seeking to understand Scripture

4. Accountable to one another

5. Encouraging one another

6. Maturing spiritually

7. Keeping our eyes fixed on the hope of Christ’s return

Application:

Make your weekly gathering a priority.

Join a small group and invest in it.

Resources

Handout

Be sure to like and follow the podcast, and leave a review to help others discover the series!

In this episode of the Know and Do Podcast, we’re exploring how God designed structure and leadership for His church. From Genesis to Acts, Scripture shows that God values order—and that carries into how the church is governed today.

We’ll unpack Acts 6:2–4 and 1 Timothy 3:1–13 to answer three key questions:

1. Who leads the church?

2. What kind of people are called to lead?

3. How should we treat our leaders?

Main Points

1. Who Leads the Church

• Christ is the true head of the church (Col. 1:18).

• God calls two types of leaders: elders/pastors (spiritual oversight) and deacons (practical service).

• Elders focus on prayer and the Word; deacons meet needs and maintain unity.

2. What Kind of People Lead

• Leadership is about character, not charisma.

• 1 Timothy 3 gives clear qualifications—above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, faithful, and spiritually mature.

• Only Jesus perfectly meets these standards, but by His grace, He equips men to lead well.

3. How We Treat Our Leaders

• The church is God’s household, “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).

• We’re called to honor, pray for, and encourage our leaders—holding them accountable with grace.

• God’s church thrives when leadership follows His design.

• Know God’s order. Do your part—pray, support, and serve faithfully.

Handout Link

In this episode of the Know and Do Podcast, we continue our journey through the doctrine of the church by looking at the foundation of healthy congregational life: right preaching. From 2 Timothy 3:16–4:5, we see why the Word of God must be central in the life of the church and what it means for preaching to be truly expository.

We’ll explore what makes preaching biblical, how to recognize when it isn’t, and what to do if you encounter poor preaching. Along the way, we’ll look at common “expositional imposters” and consider the responsibility of both pastors and church members to uphold faithful teaching.

Key Takeaways

• The nature of right preaching: exposing the truth of Scripture so God’s people may understand and apply it.

• Why expository preaching matters: Scripture is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and sufficient to equip believers for every good work.

• Who should preach: pastors/elders bear the primary responsibility for the pulpit.

• Expositional imposters: sermons that sound biblical but fail to faithfully expose the text (springboard, unfounded, exegetical-without-application, irrelevant, misfit, shortcut sermons).

• Responding to bad preaching: discern wisely, engage with love, and seek out a church where God’s Word is rightly handled.

Why This Matters

Just as we need nourishing meals for our bodies, our souls need the steady diet of God’s Word preached faithfully. Right preaching is the spiritual feast that sustains believers on the way to heaven.

Resources & Next Steps

Handout

Practice: Work through the discussion questions provided to help you “know and do.”

Stay tuned for future episodes in our Ecclesiology series. Be sure to like, follow, and leave a review to help others find the podcast. Until next time—grace and peace!

In this episode of the Know and Do Podcast, we explore the beauty and challenge of diversity in the body of Christ. While diversity is often celebrated in the world, Scripture shows us that it is not a cultural trend—it is God’s design for His people.

We’ll walk through:

• God’s Plan for Diversity – from creation to Christ’s commission, diversity has always been part of God’s purpose.

• Unity in Diversity – the gospel unites people from every background, culture, and gifting into one body.

• The End Goal – our diversity now points to the day when believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship together before the throne.

Along the way, we’ll consider real-life stories of how diversity stretches the church, how Christ alone can hold us together, and how we can live as a preview of heaven’s perfect unity in diversity.

Challenge of the Week:

Seek out someone in your church who is different from you—different age, culture, background, or gifting. Share a meal or coffee, listen to their story of faith, and celebrate God’s design for His diverse body.

Link for the Handout