Daily Devotion (October 14, 2024)
Acts 2:46–47 (NKJV)
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The early first century church worshiped and praised God not just for one hour on a Sunday morning. They met daily worshiping and praising God. They went to the homes of fellow believers. They met in the synagogue to worship. They shared in fellowship meals and in observing the Lord’s Supper.
When they met it was with gladness and singleness of heart. There was a sense of love for one another. Their attitude (the way they thought) was of gladness, joy, and rejoicing. The worship was sincere. The worship was directed towards God. There did not have to be outside an outside motivation to be able to worship.
What was the motivation in worship? The early church ministered and worshiped as Christ had instructed. The early church proclaimed the pure Word of Christ. To truly worship Christ is to give God all we are and have. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Self was not the center of worship, God was. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
True worship may be seen and heard but it is formed in the heart. True worship is seen and heard not just in the sanctuary but is carried out in the world. True worship is not just confined to an hour on a Sunday morning, it is carried into the world and witnessed by the world. What impact did the church have in the world? Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” True worship builds up the church and the world witness’s the love of God in the worship of the true believers.