A disciple is growing in their understanding of Worship.

Worship is an attitude of acknowledgment, giving credit to God, and of thanks. It’s a posture of the heart (with descriptions like “to bow before” God).

Worship creates space where God can enter, and an encounter leads to engagement.

We’ve been looking at the aspects worship including personally and corporately.

This week: As we go; engagement.

As we see who God really is, we are humbled, we become grateful, and we become purposeful. (See Isaiah 6)

Romans 12:1 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.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:16–17 16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:23–24 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

A young Christian man won’t carry a gun. His father was an ex-military from World War 1 who covered his pain with alcohol and beat his wife, and even his boys. But after Pearl Harbor, the young man felt called to help. He was committed to not killing, but he wanted to help save lives as a medic. He was a conscientious observer. His unit mocked him; the soldiers beat him and said they never “wanted this coward next to them in a fight.” They almost kicked him out of the military, but his father contacted a general, and they decided to let him in.

 He was a worshipper. When the trial came, he asked God and connected the prayer to the need, and God met it.

 He impacted both believers and unbelievers.

Philippians 1:12–14 12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 Sometimes we expect non-believers to be more committed than we are willing to be.

 We are courageous in how we lovingly and willingly are different at work, at school, and in the world…

 …when we stand up for truth lovingly.

 …when we share our faith.

 …when we serve in a role that others won’t do whether because it’s hard or because there is no plus-side according to earthly reasoning.

Acts 16:22-32; Colossians 3:15-17, 23-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 Share from the sermon a passage or thought key to what God is showing you.

1. Read Acts 16:22-32. A) What do you see happening? B) What role did worship play in the situation? C) What do you see being impacted in this passage?

2. What have you noticed about your own worship? A) How does that compare to what you see in this passage?

3. Worship is both an event and a lifestyle. How does worship impact you as you are going about the business of daily living? A) What do you engage with, don’t engage with, or see differently?

4. This series has discussed personal worship, corporate worship, and the impact of worship. What has God been showing you through this worship series? A) What are you intentionally acting on?