The Church Worshiping (Acts 2:46-47)
This sermon delves into the profound nature of worship, moving beyond a mere church activity to a complete lifestyle. It explores how a deep, personal knowledge of God fuels heartfelt praise and dedicated service in every area of life.
This sermon defines genuine worship as praising God with our lips and serving Him with our lives, rooted in truly knowing and loving Him. Such worship is a continuous, focused expression that edifies believers, draws others to Christ, and ultimately glorifies God.
Overview
The sermon begins by examining Acts 2:46-47, highlighting the early church's continuous worship both in the temple and house to house. It establishes worship as the first function of the church, taking priority even over evangelism and missions. The preacher then outlines three facets of worship within the body of Christ.
First, worship involves two activities: praise with our lips and service in our lives. Praise can take many forms, but must be a genuine expression of love for Christ, not pompous or prideful. Service to God is demonstrated by humbling ourselves and serving other people, making our entire life an expression of worship.
Second, the motivations for worship are knowing God and loving God. True worship stems from a personal experience with Jesus Christ that reveals God's attributes and ways, not merely knowing facts about Him. This deep knowledge then naturally leads to a profound love for God.
Finally, the sermon addresses the attitude of worship, emphasizing "one mind" and sincerity. Worship requires focused attention on God, clearing the mind of distractions. When God's people are God-focused and their lives reflect this, it results in the edification of believers, the salvation of lost people, and ultimately, the glorification of God.
Key points
- Worship is the first function and priority of the church, even over evangelism and missions.
- Genuine worship involves two activities: praising God with our lips and serving Him with our lives.
- Service to God is expressed by humbling ourselves and serving other people.
- The foundation of all motivation for worshiping God is truly knowing Him through personal experience, not just knowing facts about Him.
- Love for God grows out of knowing Him and deepens our desire to worship Him.
- A true attitude of worship requires a "one mind" focus on God, free from distractions.
- When the church genuinely worships, believers are edified, lost people are saved, and God is glorified.
In Charles Stanley's words
“You can know facts about God without knowing God.”
“True, genuine worship is anything and everything you and I do to the glory of almighty God.”
“What we focus our attention upon most is what we become like.”
Outline
- I. The Activity of Worship in the Church
- A. Praise of God with Our Lips
- B. Service in Our Life
- II. The Motivations of Worship in the Church
- A. Knowing God
- B. Love for God
- III. The Attitude of Worship in the Church
- A. With One Mind
- B. With Gladness and Sincerity of Heart
- C. The Results of True Worship (Attraction)
- 1. Believers are edified
- 2. Lost people are saved
- 3. God is glorified
Scripture references
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Insights
True worship flows from a deep, personal knowledge of God.
Serving others with humility is a form of serving God.
Genuine worship is an expression of what we value most.
Questions & answers
According to the sermon, what are the two primary activities involved in true worship?
True worship involves praising God with our lips and serving Him with our lives. Praising includes adoration in song and prayer, while serving means humbling ourselves and helping others.
What does the sermon identify as the foundation of all motivation for worshiping God?
The sermon states that the foundation for all motivation for worship is truly knowing God through a personal experience with Jesus Christ, rather than just knowing facts about Him.
How does the sermon describe the appropriate attitude for worship?
The sermon emphasizes worshiping "with one mind," meaning focused attention on God without distraction, and "with gladness and sincerity of heart," reflecting genuine joy and authenticity.
What are the three results or attractions that come from genuine worship in the body of Christ?
When people genuinely worship, believers are edified and built up, lost people are saved and added to their number, and ultimately, God is glorified through His people's lives.
Is corporate church attendance the only form of worship discussed?
No, the sermon clarifies that while corporate worship is important, true worship is "anything and everything you and I do to the glory of almighty God," whether in church or in daily activities like washing dishes.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.