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Picture of the Cross

“We’re left with no choice but to want to reach out our hands to love others. That’s honestly what the Gospel is all about.” –Joel Houston

Hillsong United is passionate about leading people to connect with God through praise and worship. Seeing arenas crowded with people worshipping God doesn’t make sense to some. In fact, watching people praise God more enthusiastically than they cheer a sports team seems foolish to many. To those who have had a revelation of what Jesus did on the cross, however, offering exuberant praise and worship is only logical.

But if worship is the lifestyle we want to live, we have to understand that it doesn’t stop when the music does. Just as a revelation of God’s grace spurs faith, the outworking of such faith demands action. 1 John 4:19 summarizes this chain reaction simply: “We love because he first loved us.”

As true worshipers of God, outreached hands should mark our lives just as much as upstretched arms do. When we operate out of an honest revelation of what Jesus has done, we begin to view our acts of love as privileges rather than obligations.

Questions

1. Have you ever cheered on a sports team or sung loudly at a concert? What made you want to do that? Is that same excitement present in your praise and worship?
2. What does the Bible say about passionate worship—its causes and effects?
3. How are you translating your worship of God into service of people? What creative ways might you be able to do this today?

Prayer

Father, thank you for what Jesus’ cross and resurrection accomplished—in my life and in our world. Let the eyes of my heart see you more clearly so I can praise you more passionately. And help me translate your love for me into active love for others. Amen.