Right Worship – Acts 2.42-47 Pt. 2

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2.42-47, ESV).[1]
 
Memory Verse – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. – Acts 2.42

      There are many aspects of worship we could discuss, such as, music, preaching, giving, praying and so on. However, we are going to focus on the one thing which matters the most, which bring all of these things into focus, the main object of our worship, God our Father.
      Today we are going to discuss Who we are to Worship. Right about now you are saying, “I know who we are supposed to worship.” We can all agree, we all have the right answer when it comes to who we are ‘supposed’ to worship. But the real question is, “Who are we worshiping when we come together?”
      Many times, when we come together for corporate worship, we have many other thoughts on our hearts and minds. Sometimes, the last thing we are concerned with is who or why we have come to worship. We are here, people see us, we have done our duty or obligation therefore, God will be pleased, but will He?
      David wrote, “God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; you are not pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God” (Psalm 51.10, 12, 15-17, CSB).[2]
      When he fell into sin, he fell on his face before Almighty God, seeking forgiveness, and cleansing. He knew none of this would come without his repentance to God and God cleansing his heart and changing his ways. David also understood something else, God did not just want a sacrifice, but He was looking for brokenness, humbleness, and humility.
      Worship is about us coming into the presence of God, the Creator of all universe not with arrogance, or pride, but in humility understanding who we are in relation to the One we are worshiping. Recognizing that all we do should be designed to bring glory and honor to Him and Him alone.
      All too many times we come into the presence of God thinking we are doing what is right and pleasing to God, but He is saying, “These people worship me with their mouths, and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is based on nothing but human rules” (Isaiah 29.13, NCV).[3]
      We must remember we are made for Him (Isaiah 43.21) and we were redeemed by Him (I Corinthians 6.19-20). Therefore, our number one job must be to glorify Him, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body” (I Corinthians 6.20, NASB95).[4]
      But glorifying God with our bodies is not the end, we are called to glorify God in all we do, all of our actions, our speech, everything, yes in worship (I Corinthians 10.31). It is hard to glorify God and not worship Him and to worship Him and not glorify Him. Let us just say it now, it has a lot to do with our attitude. Our attitude about people, church, work, friends, neighbors, life, job, and so on.
      When we enter worship with the right attitude then we will have a better worship experience. Now do not misunderstand this, worship is not about ‘you’ it is about coming into the presence of God. But if we are not prepared to enter the throne room of the Almighty, what kind of experience do we think we will have.
      How can God communicate with us if our focus is on what we are going to do later in the afternoon. Or if we have had a fight with our spouse, or boyfriend/girlfriend, where do we think our attention will be while the singing is going on or the preaching. How will the Spirit move us to respond?
      Our attitude, our mindset, our hearts have to be in position to hear from God during worship. Everything is designed to draw us into the very presence of God. And with boldness we can enter His very throne room (Hebrews 10.19), because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
      So, we have to learn to prepare to come to corporate worship remember Who the object of Worship really is, God. God is not supposed to the object, He IS the Object of our worship. When He is replaced or pushed aside for anything else, we have a real problem, even a sacrilegious problem.
      When we worship God and God alone, then all the other things; music, preaching, tithing, specials, and so on… all fade into the background and the glory of God is made known to us. It is through these things we see God manifested and His will is revealed. Each one being an act of worship within themselves.
      But we must prepare ourselves through prayer, meditation, and scripture reading to be ready to hear, praise and glorify our Creator, Master, Savior, and Lord. The choice is ours, to come each time into corporate worship and complain or prepare and be focused on the object of our worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
      One final thought; Job, after his loss, had some friends come over to chat with him. In his conversations he and his friends discussed the cause of his troubles, his fault, his sins, someone else’s, and so on. Finally, Job has a conversation with God (starts in Job 38), but “God did not charge Job with any guilt of his sins that deserved the severest judgments, but appeared in glory and reminded him of his original nothing.”[5]
      God said to Job, as well He could say to all of us, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38.4-7, ESV).[6]
      Job’s response, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further” (Job 40.4-5, ESV).[7] The point, compared to God we are nothing, God has done everything for us, and in return we should desire, long for, the opportunity to worship Him with everything we have and more.
 
Application
 

1. What is your purpose for coming to corporate worship? (I might share your answer but not your name, please be honest).
2. When you come to corporate worship who or what do you feel you are worshiping if anything? Please Explain as above.
3. Deeper Thinking: Read Acts 2.42-47 – How does this passage indicate to us who the object of worship was for the early church? You can use scripture or other illustrations to back up your discussion.
4. Commit to learning Acts 2.42 and coming to corporate worship service.

 
Prayer
 
      Lord, Almighty God, Creator of the Heavens and Earth, You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.[8] I Will Worship You God Almighty forever, without reservation or fear, and with others, by Your power. Help me Lord to worship You so others can see Your gospel in me. I pray all this in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 2:42–47). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ps 51:10–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] The Everyday Bible: New Century Version. (2005). (Is 29:13). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
[4] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Co 6:20). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[5] Bell, James, Stuart. (2012). From The Library Of Charles Spurgeon: Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey. (pp.20). Bloomington: Bethany House Publishers
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Job 38:4–7). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Job 40:4–5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[8] The New International Version. (2011). (Ps 73:24–26). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

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