THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

 

Chapter 25​

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Praising God As A Christian

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Text

Acts 11:22-26 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

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Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

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​​​​Memory Verse

1 Pet. 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

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Introduction

Christians live by God’s redeeming power and His enabling grace. They are people who have decided to follow Jesus no matter what (Matt. 16:24).

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To praise God as a Christian means that everything you think, say, and do is shaped by what Christ teaches. It is how you show love to Him (John 14:15; Luke 6:46).

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The word ‘Christian’ comes from the Greek word ‘Christianos’, meaning ‘a follower of Christ’. It appears only three times in the New Testament: in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and in 1 Pet. 4:16. It was first used in Antioch of Syria (see the lead text above). Even King Agrippa used it in around AD 58, so it was well known early on.

 

The name started with unbelievers as a way to single out believers. But Scripture shows that it became a God-ordained identity.

 

Objective
To appreciate that praising God as a Christian means praising Him with the knowledge of Christ’s teaching, and doing it with the expectation of a good reward.

 

Presentation

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1. Christians Do All Things - Including Praise - in Christ’s Name (Col. 3:17)

 

Col. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

 

To do something in Christ’s name means you have His authorization. That authorization comes from His inspired teaching, which is meant to educate and discipline us for life (2 Tim. 3:16-17; John 17:17; 2 Pet. 1:21).

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What brings God praise goes beyond singing with your lips. It is a living faith that works (Jam. 2:17, 21-26). If your life does not match your song, God is not impressed.

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2. It is Praise From People Who Have Been Converted

A Christian must repent and live as a born-again person. Why? Because it is not just your direct praise that matters. Your life also causes others to praise God through the good they see in you (Matt. 5:16).

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The life you live is the main praise. Singing is only a small part of that.

 

Christians live to demonstrate who they are called to be: the chosen, believers in the Lord, brothers and disciples, the faithful, slaves of God, holy ones, and those who call on the name of the Lord (Col. 3:12; Acts 5:14; 6:3; 9:2; Rom. 6:22).

 

When you live like that, your life itself becomes worship.

 

Conclusion
Praising God as a Christian is not about performance. It is about living under Christ’s authority and letting your life point others to Him. That is the praise that God receives and rewards.
 

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​​Evaluation Questions & Answers

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1. How can praise given to God differ from other praises?

   • Praise to God is based on truth and His character, and it is done in Christ’s name (Col. 3:17). Other praise is often flattery, self-focused, or tied to human achievement. God’s praise comes from a life aligned with His Word.

2. If a Christian is not a Christian in deed, can God receive his praise and give him a positive reward?

   • No. God looks at the heart and the life behind the praise. If someone claims Christ but does not live by His teaching, their praise is empty (Matt. 7:21-23; Jam. 2:17). God rewards faith that works.

3. If not for lip praise, can praise be given to God through other means? Yes or No? If yes, what are they?

   • Yes.

     • A changed life that shows mercy, honesty, and love (Matt. 5:16).

     • Obedience to Christ’s teaching (John 14:15).

     • Service to others that meets real needs (Heb. 13:16).

     • Enduring suffering for Christ’s sake (1 Pet. 4:16).

   • All of these praise God more loudly than words alone.

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Prayer

Father, thank You for calling us Christians. Give us grace to live in a way that truly praises You. Help us to trust Your promises and depend on You daily, so our lives become a living offering of thanksgiving. Amen.

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