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The Power of Our Worship

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. PSALM 29:2 ESV

Webster’s definitions of Worship:
1: to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power
2: to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion a celebrity worshiped by her fans

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. ACTS 2:42-47 NLT

Prepares my ears to hear the word of God

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… ACTS 2:42 ESV

Worship prepares my ears to hear what God wants to say.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. MATTHEW 11:15 ESV

Opens my heart to love the people of God

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. ACTS 2:42 NLT

Reminds me of how awesome God is

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ACTS 2:43 NLT

These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. ACTS 2:15 NLT

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! PSALM 95:6 ESV

Inspires me to a higher level of living

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity… ACTS 2:44-46 NLT

Then (JESUS) said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” LUKE 9:23 NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. JOHN 10:10 NLT

Take delight in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: PSALM 37:4-5 NIV

Motivates me to celebrate the growth of the church

…all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. ACTS 2:47 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Maybe go for a walk or sit alone with God in your favorite chair. Allow your body, mind and heart to become still and focused on the Lord. Take some deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. As competing thoughts come to you, don’t resist them. Rather, recognize them and release them to God. Consider when Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” What about this passage seems to stand out to you? Talk to the Lord about how he wants to draw you into a greater devotion and intimacy with himself. Ask the Lord some questions like, “What does it mean for me to take up my cross and follow you, Lord? What needs to change in my regular habits and routines that I might grow in being a disciple of Jesus? What is getting in the way of my discipleship?” These questions are meant to be conversation starters. Resist the temptation to answer them like you would a test or survey. Allow these questions to lead you into a more prayerful conversation with the Lord. When you’re ready, take some time to write down some of the details and key points of your conversation with the Lord. Pay close attention to the places where he lovingly convicts you and gracefully empowers you to become more like Jesus. Then, close your time with the Lord with a brief prayer. Thank him and commit yourself to follow his lead in your life.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to process the hospitality of God and how he meets us in our joy as well as our pain. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here)
  2. SELF: What are some ways you worship God? How do you honor him and show reverence? How does it make you feel, to think that God is receiving and listening to your worship?
  3. SELF: What are some of the messages and people you’re currently listening to? What internal and external dialogue are you taking in everyday that lead you to worship something other than God?
  4. GOD: Read Acts 2:43. When was the last time you had a deep sense of awe for God and his work in you, others or the world around you?
  5. OTHERS: Read Acts 2:44-46. How is your worship changing you to have a heart for the people God cares about and has placed around you?
  6. ACTION: Spend some time as a group looking at Acts 2:42-47. Talk with one another about one way in which you can each be more like the early church. What’s one step you can take this week to move in that direction?