
Connected: Worship to Please God
Hebrews 13:15-16
February 19, 2023
Andrew Boone
Worship is ascribing value and worth to an object.
God loves us desperately as His children, but not every gift we give Him pleases Him.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
In what ways does God want to be worshiped?
How does God want to be worshiped?
Worshiping in purity is confessing and repenting of sin the Holy Spirit reveals to you.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” —1 Peter 1:14-16 NIV
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
Unity in worship is the intentional act amongst believers of restoring broken relationships to harmony.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. —Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
Authenticity in worship is bringing gifts and acts that flow from a genuine heart.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” —Matthew 15:7-8 NIV
Worshiping in truth is aligning ourselves to what God has revealed about Himself and ourselves.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. —John 4:23 NIV
Generosity pleases God.
I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. —Philippians 4:18 NIV
Caring for the vulnerable pleases God.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. —1 Timothy 5:4 NIV
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” —Matthew 25:40 NIV
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. —Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV
God is pleased when we use music to worship Him.
Music given to God in purity, unity, authenticity, and truth pleases God.
…let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise… —Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Big Idea:
Worship God in the ways that please Him.
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Read Hebrews 12:28-29.
Are there wrong or inappropriate ways to worship God? Engage the Scriptures and review the following stories: the sacrifices offered by Cain & Abel (Genesis 4:1-7). How Nadab & Abihu did not wait for God’s holy fire (Numbers 26:61). Saul’s improper sacrifice (1 Samuel 10:8; 13:8-14). The gift of Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).
There are four components to HOW God wants to be worshiped:
Purity in worship is confessing and repenting of the sin the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Read 1 Peter 1:14-16; Psalms 139:23-24; 1 John 1:9-10. Is this confession of sin different from confessing your sin at the moment of salvation? Do you view confession as a regular rhythm of the Christian life? Are you asking God to reveal the sin in your life? What does John say about those who believe they do not have any sin to confess?
Unity in worship is the intentional act amongst believers of restoring broken relationships to harmony. Read Matthew 5:23-24 & 1 John 4:20. Why do fractured relationships grieve God? Why does He want us to pursue harmony before approaching Him in worship? Do you have a fractured relationship with anyone right now? What steps can you take to foster reconciliation?
Authenticity in worship is bringing gifts and acts that flow from a genuine heart. Read Matthew 15:7-9. Have you ever felt like you are going through the motions without your heart being in it? How do you engage your heart in worship?
Worshiping in truth is aligning ourselves to what God has revealed about Himself and ourselves. Read John 4:21-24. What characteristics of God have been revealed to you through Scripture? Does where we worship matter? What is more important to God than where we worship? Jesus says that true worship is done in Spirit and truth. How do you see these two components in your worship?
With WHAT gifts and acts does God want to be worshiped?
Generosity pleases God. Read Philippians 4:18 & 2 Corinthians 9:7. Does generosity always refer to financial gifts? What are some ways you exhibit generosity for Christ? Does generosity please God if it is done with a grumbling heart? What heart issues are exposed when someone is not able to cheerfully give to the Lord?
Caring for the vulnerable pleases God. Read 1 Timothy 5:4 & Matthew 25:40. Why is caring for others seen as an act of worship that pleases God? Are acts of service something you are good at performing? Has your Small Group considered serving together? Discuss ways in which your Small Group could serve together in the church or in the community.
God is pleased when we use music to worship Him. Read Hebrews 13:15-16. In what ways have you found worship to be a sacrifice? When you worship through song is your focus on God or do you find yourself distracted? Do you struggle with singing aloud out of concern for how you sound? Since our singing is for the Lord and not for us or those around us, is this a valid concern?
Imagine that you are God and your children represent humanity. What do you want most from your children? How does understanding what we want from our children help you understand what God wants from us?
Read Ephesians 5:8-10. What are some other things that please the Lord?