Love for Jesus Revealed through Faith and Practice
What comes to mind when you hear the word Worship? When do you worship Jesus? Is your worship an expression of love or is it just going through the motions? Is your love for Jesus obvious to others or do you hide it for Sunday mornings?
In Acts 24:10-21, Paul is allowed to make his defense against his accusers, and he tells Felix he 'cheerfully makes' his defense. Why would this be a ‘cheerful’ defense for Paul? Paul’s defense is very different from Tertullus, the attorney who represents the religious leaders. Paul doesn’t flatter, and he is not about to deceive Felix, he presents facts. What are some of the facts Paul presents in verses 10-13? Can his facts be provable? How does the presentation of facts reveal a love for Jesus? Paul’s actions in Jerusalem, from the time he arrived until the time he was whisked off, in the middle of the night, were all an act of worship. The way he lived his life while there was all for God’s glory and honor, and because of this, there was no evidence against him. Can you say the same about your own life? Do you live a life that honors and glorifies God, to the point people have nothing they can hold against you?
Paul makes it clear these accusations are false and he can prove his innocence. There is one accusation Paul admits. What accusation does Paul admit? Paul is not ashamed to confess Jesus, and his devotion to God, to the truth, to his hope, and for the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. In Romans 1:16-17, Paul explains why he is not ashamed of confessing these things. Why is Paul not ashamed of confessing these things? Paul, in his last letter to his protege Timothy, writes to instruct and encourage him to persevere, while he sits in a dungeon waiting for his execution. In verse 8, he tells Timothy not to be ashamed. Why is Timothy not to be ashamed? Paul tells Timothy in verse 12, he is not ashamed. Why does Paul say he is not ashamed? When it comes to the gospel, and what you believe do you shrink back in shame or do you push forward with the truth without shame? When it comes to living out what you believe do you hide it or do you express it in your words and actions?
Paul says in verse 16 he ‘always does his best,’ which means he strives hard to have a 'blameless conscience before God and man.' To have a blameless conscience is first internal before God and it is expressed externally before man. In verses 17-18, what are some of the ways Paul expressed his blameless conscience before God and man? Paul's journey to Jerusalem was 'an act of worship,' and while there he performed 'acts of worship,' he worshipped God in bringing an offering for those in need, and he also performed the 'rite of purification,' which are 'acts of worship.' Paul was only observing God's commandments. When should you observe God’s commands? What does observing God’s commands say about the way you feel about God? In 1 John 2:3-6, what does John say about someone who keeps God’s commandments? What does keeping God's commandments look like? Our life, as Christians, must be marked by a love for Jesus, and our love is revealed in how we live, not only on Sunday morning but daily. Worship is not only for Sunday morning, confessing Jesus as Lord is not only for Sunday, and it is not only to be reserved for times of fellowship with other believers, but it is daily. How can you reveal a deeper love for Jesus in your daily walk? What are somethings you can eliminate or replace in your life so you can have a life this is filled with worshipping Jesus?
Acts 24:10-21 Questions
Love for Jesus Revealed through Faith and Practice
What comes to mind when you hear the word Worship? When do you worship Jesus? Is your worship an expression of love or is it just going through the motions? Is your love for Jesus obvious to others or do you hide it for Sunday mornings?
In Acts 24:10-21, Paul is allowed to make his defense against his accusers, and he tells Felix he 'cheerfully makes' his defense. Why would this be a ‘cheerful’ defense for Paul? Paul’s defense is very different from Tertullus, the attorney who represents the religious leaders. Paul doesn’t flatter, and he is not about to deceive Felix, he presents facts. What are some of the facts Paul presents in verses 10-13? Can his facts be provable? How does the presentation of facts reveal a love for Jesus? Paul’s actions in Jerusalem, from the time he arrived until the time he was whisked off, in the middle of the night, were all an act of worship. The way he lived his life while there was all for God’s glory and honor, and because of this, there was no evidence against him. Can you say the same about your own life? Do you live a life that honors and glorifies God, to the point people have nothing they can hold against you?
Paul makes it clear these accusations are false and he can prove his innocence. There is one accusation Paul admits. What accusation does Paul admit? Paul is not ashamed to confess Jesus, and his devotion to God, to the truth, to his hope, and for the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. In Romans 1:16-17, Paul explains why he is not ashamed of confessing these things. Why is Paul not ashamed of confessing these things? Paul, in his last letter to his protege Timothy, writes to instruct and encourage him to persevere, while he sits in a dungeon waiting for his execution. In verse 8, he tells Timothy not to be ashamed. Why is Timothy not to be ashamed? Paul tells Timothy in verse 12, he is not ashamed. Why does Paul say he is not ashamed? When it comes to the gospel, and what you believe do you shrink back in shame or do you push forward with the truth without shame? When it comes to living out what you believe do you hide it or do you express it in your words and actions?
Paul says in verse 16 he ‘always does his best,’ which means he strives hard to have a 'blameless conscience before God and man.' To have a blameless conscience is first internal before God and it is expressed externally before man. In verses 17-18, what are some of the ways Paul expressed his blameless conscience before God and man? Paul's journey to Jerusalem was 'an act of worship,' and while there he performed 'acts of worship,' he worshipped God in bringing an offering for those in need, and he also performed the 'rite of purification,' which are 'acts of worship.' Paul was only observing God's commandments. When should you observe God’s commands? What does observing God’s commands say about the way you feel about God? In 1 John 2:3-6, what does John say about someone who keeps God’s commandments? What does keeping God's commandments look like? Our life, as Christians, must be marked by a love for Jesus, and our love is revealed in how we live, not only on Sunday morning but daily. Worship is not only for Sunday morning, confessing Jesus as Lord is not only for Sunday, and it is not only to be reserved for times of fellowship with other believers, but it is daily. How can you reveal a deeper love for Jesus in your daily walk? What are somethings you can eliminate or replace in your life so you can have a life this is filled with worshipping Jesus?