JESUS IS WORTHY OF OUR BEST WORSHIP.

SCRIPTURE | John 2:13-25

CENTRAL TRUTH

God’s holiness demands a better sacrifice than we could ever bring. Our better sacrifice is Jesus. He is the only acceptable sacrifice. He covered our sin fully, permanently. When we make worship about us rather than God, we cheapen His sacrifice.

KEY QUESTION

IN WHAT WAYS DO WE CHEAPEN WORSHIP OR TREAT GOD’S HOUSE WITH DISRESPECT?

KEEP IN MIND

The word worship is used very loosely in current culture. Students often confine it to singing songs, but worship is a posture and a lifestyle. Only God is worthy of worship, but we often bow before lesser “gods”—false gods that can’t save us, gods that lead us away from the one true God and to destruction. We must help students have a right understanding of worship—giving God the glory and praise He deserves. Worship involves our words, but even more, worship is bowing our hearts before the Lord and living in submission to Him. Here’s how our students can know if they’re worshiping God the right way: They must examine what their love and adoration point to; they examine what they’re devoted to; they must ask if their heart is divided between God and anything else. And if it is, they can lay that thing down in surrender. Worship requires surrendering our hearts, minds, and actions to the only One who is worthy.

APPLICATION

WHEN HAVE YOU FELT LIKE YOU DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING GOOD TO BRING TO GOD? HOW CAN YOU REST IN JESUS’S PERFECT SACRIFICE?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: Students don’t have to strive to be worthy because the blood of Jesus makes them worthy! God still deserves their best, but instead of striving to earn salvation, their best is rooted in gratitude for what Jesus has already done. His work on the cross was enough. And now, students have the privilege of living their lives as offerings of praise.

FOR THE LEADER: Your best offering in worship teaches students that God is worthy of their best worship. Consider what you can surrender to God in worship.