THE BOOK OF ACTS MARCH 16, 2025
DEVOTED TO GLORIFYING

SCRIPTURE
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100 (Acts 2:42-47)

Worship is not only singing lyrics, but a living a lifestyle.

Brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

But there is a specific call to congregational praise and worship in Scripture.

All creation worships. Spiritual sons and daughters, spiritual rebels, spirit beings, and even the scenery worships.


AN INNER LOOK AT WORSHIP

1/ We are told to enter into His presence. (v.4)

We approach God’s presence in a physical sense (closet, car, Sanctuary, etc.).

We approach God’s presence in a spiritual sense (heart, spirit, truth, etc.).


2/ We are told to acknowledge who we are. (v.3)

One can’t appreciate the grace received, until one recognizes the judgement deserved.

We were exiled sinners brought to sit at the table as sons.


3/ We are told to acknowledge who God is. (v.3)

We worship God because of who He is.

“’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come. You are worthy, our Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.” Revelation 4:8-11

We praise God because of what He has done and what He will do.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12
4/ We are told to have the right mindset and attitude. (v.2)


5/ We are told to be expressive. (vv.1-2)

Praise and worship is expressed in a variety of ways. We should be careful in making unrighteous judgments, when expressions are biblical.

We can express praise and worship through speaking.

His praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1

We can express praise and worship through shouting.

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout. Psalm 89:15

We can express praise and worship through singing.

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19

“Nothing will kill a prayer meeting faster than a worship song that goes inward – that’s about me and my feelings.” Corey Russell

We can express praise and worship through bowing.

“Come let us bow down in worship.” Psalm 95:6

Worship is not about the position of the body, but of the heart.

We can express praise and worship through dancing.

Let them praise His name with dancing. Psalm 149:3

We can express praise and worship through flags.

May we…lift up our banners in the name of our God. Psalm 20:4

We can express praise and worship through instruments.

Let them praise His name with…tambourine and harp. Psalm 149:3

We can express praise and worship through clapping.

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalm 47:1

We can express praise and worship through lifting hands.

I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer. Psalm 63:4
We can express praise and worship through silence.

Let all the earth be silent before Him. Habakkuk 2:20

This requires an “active passivity.”



THE BLESSING OF WORSHIP

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart…in the congregation. Psalm 111:1

We do not give to receive. But in His goodness, God reciprocates His love!

We may experience a new measure of joy.


We may experience peace.


We may experience stronger faith.


We may experience closeness with His presence.


We may experience breakthrough.


Remember the concept of an Open Heaven!