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November 9, 2025

Chosen To Worship

Pastor Matt is back as he continues through the book of Acts, teaching how believers live in the tension of “the already and the not yet.” Though we’ve been raised with Jesus, have victory over death, and power over sin, we still face the struggles of this world. Like the apostles who worshiped Jesus after His ascension, we’re invited to fully surrender and speak blessing to God—because worship is our right response as we wait for His return.

Sermon Notes

Matthew 28:18 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Matthew 28:19 NIV

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Matthew 28:20 NIV

“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts = Acts of The Apostles  

Really it should be titled “Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles”

Acts 1:1-2 NIV

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Acts 1:3 NIV

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Luke 24:50-51 NIV

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Acts 1:11 NIV

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

We live the land of the already, and the not yet:

1. We are already seated with Christ in Heaven…

Ephesians 2:6 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

And yet we are still here.

2. We have already defeated death…

1 Corinthians 15:25-26 NIV

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

And yet we will each die.

3. We already have the power to overcome sin…

Galatians 5:16 NIV

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

And yet we are each tempted.

Q: what does God want us to do between right now and the return of Christ?

A: The same thing the Apostles did.

Luke 24:52 NIV

Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

“Worship” = proskyneō.  It means to bow low in full surrender. Metaphorically it is said to describe "the kissing-ground" between believers (the Bride) and Christ (the heavenly Bridegroom). 

Luke 24:53 NIV

And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

“Praising” = eulogeó, To bless, speak well of, to adore with words.

When it dawns on you that you have every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ – it makes you want to bless the Lord!

Ephesians 1:3 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

We desire to be a church who lifts our voices and our hands in prayer and praise to God for all He has done and all He will do.

1 Timothy 2:8 NIV

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Ephesians 5:17-18 NLT

Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 5:19 NLT

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Ephesians 5:20 NLT

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Worship is one of your greatest weapons to subdue your enemy!


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