You don’t come to worship, you come worshipping…
You pick the right issues to inspire worship
Let it be known to Israel, by the name of Jesus Christ, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name, this man stands here before you in good health. … there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved. … Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. … They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. … But Peter and John answered “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; … for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard. “ … When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which they might punish them). Acts 4: 10, 12, 13, 18-21
You give specifics in your worship testimony
When they had been released, they went to their companions, and reported all the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Acts 4: 23
You worship with God’s rule in mind
When they heard this, they lifted their voices, “O Lord, You did make the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. Who by the Holy Spirit did say: Why did the gentiles rage, and the peoples devise futile things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. “ For in this city there were gathered together against Jesus, both Herod and Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Acts 4: 24-27
You worship with confidence
Lord take note of their threats, and grant your bond-servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you extend your hand to heal, and wonders take place through the name of you servant Jesus. Acts 4: 29-30
Your worship has impact beyond worship service
When they had prayed, the place where they had gathered was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4: 31
Questions to Consider
- What was the apostles’ reply to the judgement handed down by the council?
- Where did Peter and John go after they were released by the Sanhedrin?
- How did the believers respond to the apostles’ report?
- How did the believers express their view of the persecution they face?
- How was God’s hand in all that was done against Jesus?
- What did the Christians ask God to do?
- What is the most difficult situation you’ve faced because of your faith in Christ?
- How can you be prepared to stand up for Christ when your beliefs are challenged?
- How could your church benefit from handling crises the way the early church did?
- When we pray, why is it helpful to recall the way God has acted in the past?
- When was the last time you were amazed by the power of prayer?
- To whom might you be able to tell the Good News this week? How?