We love because God first loved us and He demonstrated this by sending Jesus to the world to
forgive our sins and give us new life (1 John 4:16, John 3:16).
1 John 4:16 (NIV)
(16) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
John 3:16 (NIV)
(16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Praise and worship are ways of expressing our love for God. We can also show our love through speaking out and sharing the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. These things should become a part of our lifestyle.
Speaking Out
(8) He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
(9) When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
(10) they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
What did the man do when he was healed?
What impression did he make on others?
(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
What should our attitude be toward the gospel?
What can the word of God accomplish?
Worship and Praise
Read the following verses and answer. Who do we worship? How can we worship?
(2) Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
(12) He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
(1) Sing joyfully to the Lord , you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
(2) I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
A Lifestyle of Passion
A: Worship with our Whole Body
Read the following verses and answer. How can we worship with our body?
(2) Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord .
(10) So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.
(11) As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.
(12) When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
(13) So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
(8) Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
(30) Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
B: Obedience to God
(18) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
(19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
As disciples of Jesus, what are we called to do?
How can we do this in our life today?
(1) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
(2) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
How should we live?
Ask a Friend
How are you making worship, praise and speaking out a part of your lifestyle?
Application
Who can you share with this week about the truth and life of Jesus?
Make the time to meet with that friend, family member or co-worker, and share about what God is doing in your life.
Prayer Model
God, You are good. You are worthy of our praise and worship. Thank You, for putting me in places where I can reach out to others and share the good news of the gospel with them.
Key Verse
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the
salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
