Evening Worship

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — Psalm 92:1-4
• Sermon
• Prayer of Closing

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Sermon Title: The Case for Evening Worship

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-4

I. Background: Elements and Circumstances of Worship

A. The Westminster Confession distinguishes between elements and circumstances of worship

1. Elements are positively commanded in Scripture: reading and preaching of the Word, prayer, singing of Psalms and hymns, confession of sin, and worship on the Lord's Day
2. Circumstances (place, time, length of service) are ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence B. The timing and frequency of worship within the Lord's Day is a circumstance, not a commanded element C. Evening worship is therefore not a binding commandment — no conscience can be bound to it

II. Historical and Scriptural Backdrop for Evening Worship

A. Church history shows that twice-daily worship on the Lord's Day has been the norm for centuries

1. John Calvin preached nearly every day of the week, including twice on Sundays
2. Puritan forefathers followed this pattern with morning and evening services, plus a weeknight lecture
3. The practice of a single Sunday service is a recent historical development B. Psalm 92:1-4 frames the Lord's Day with worship — morning and evening
4. "To declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night"
5. Musical instruments mentioned (lute, harp, lyre) suggest corporate, not merely private, worship
6. Not a proof text, but a suggestive picture of a day bookended by corporate worship C. Acts 20:7-12 offers a picture of the early church gathered on the first day of the week for extended worship
7. Paul preached until midnight, then continued until daybreak
8. Elements of corporate worship present: preaching, fellowship, breaking of bread
9. Not a commandment, but a picture of extended, unhurried gathering on the Lord's Day

III. Four Benefits of Evening Worship

A. The Lord is present when His people gather

1. Matthew 18:20 — "Where two or three are gathered, there I am with them"
2. It is always good to be in the Lord's presence with His people B. It is good for God's people to be together
3. Hebrews 10:24-25 — "Not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another"
4. A second gathering provides another opportunity to stir one another up to love and good works
5. Colossians 3:16 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… teaching and admonishing one another… singing psalms and hymns" C. Evening worship provides more time under the means of grace
6. The Shorter Catechism: the Spirit makes the reading and especially the preaching of the Word effectual for conversion and building up in holiness
7. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 — Paul charges Timothy to preach the Word, warning that a time will come when people will not endure sound teaching
8. Sitting under the Word twice on the Lord's Day is a guard against drifting from truth D. Evening worship helps frame and sanctify the whole Lord's Day
9. The Lord has given us a day, not merely a morning hour, for worship
10. Bookending the day with corporate worship shapes how the time between services is used
11. Without evening worship, Sunday afternoons easily become indistinguishable from Saturdays