Exalting Jesus: The Heart of True Worship
Summary
From the very beginning, the heart of worship is to exalt Jesus above all else, recognizing that there is no one worthy but Him. All of creation sings, but there is a unique song of praise that each of us is called to bring—a song that comes from a heart transformed by God’s love and mercy. Jesus, the Lamb of God, the anointed one, is the center of everything. He is holy, faithful, and full of mercy, rescuing us not because of our merit, but because of His great love. Our response is to give our lives back to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to keep our hearts soft, humble, and full of wonder, so that our lives bring glory to God and draw us deeper into trust, obedience, and love.
Reflecting on salvation, it is not just a single event but a triune reality: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is the gift of righteousness—Jesus was treated as a criminal so that we could be declared righteous. Sanctification is the journey of righteousness, where God works in us to align our desires with our new identity, moving us from “I should love God” to “I long for God.” Glorification is the rest of righteousness, the hope that God will bring us fully into His kingdom, never tiring of us, always pursuing us with steadfast love.
This transforming love is the foundation of true fellowship. The church is not merely a social club, but a community called to share life deeply, bearing one another’s burdens, and inspiring each other to love and good works. The story of Andre and Magda Chney during World War II illustrates how fellowship can mean risking everything for the sake of others, motivated by Christ’s love. Real fellowship reflects Jesus—intentional, sacrificial, and inclusive. It is about supporting one another in hardship, growing together in spiritual maturity, and proclaiming Christ’s love both inside and outside the church.
Fellowship is not just about meeting together, but about living out the love of Christ in practical ways—sharing meals, resources, and burdens. It is built on love, as seen in the early church, where believers devoted themselves to teaching, breaking bread, and prayer, resulting in awe, generosity, and growth. Our mission is to remember Christ and live like Him, letting His love transform our gatherings into something far greater than a social meeting. Today, the invitation is to put this into practice: to connect, to share, and to let Christ’s love be seen in our fellowship.
Key Takeaways
- Worship is a unique offering from each heart, rooted in the recognition that only Jesus is worthy. Our praise is not just a song but a response to the reality that God has made His dwelling in us, healed our brokenness, and shown us His glory. This personal relationship calls us to exalt Him above all else, making Him the center of our lives. [21:35]
- Salvation is a triune gift: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification means we are declared righteous because Jesus bore our guilt; sanctification is the ongoing process where our desires are transformed to align with God’s love; glorification is the hope that God will complete His work in us, bringing us home. Each stage is a testament to God’s faithfulness and relentless pursuit of us. [27:44]
- God’s sanctifying work moves us from obligation to desire, from “I should love God” to “I long for God.” This journey is not about perfection but about growing in love, responding to God as a loving Father rather than a distant judge. True spiritual maturity is marked by a heart that is increasingly captivated by God’s love and eager to obey Him. [29:44]
- Fellowship is a radical, Christ-centered community that goes beyond social interaction. Inspired by stories like Andre and Magda Chney, we see that real fellowship means sharing life, risks, and burdens for the sake of others. It is a living testimony to the world of Christ’s love, as we support, encourage, and serve one another in tangible ways. [36:42]
- The early church modeled a fellowship built on love, generosity, and shared purpose. Their devotion to teaching, breaking bread, and prayer created a community where needs were met, hearts were transformed, and the gospel was proclaimed through their unity. Our gatherings should reflect this same spirit, making space for God’s love to be seen and experienced by all. [42:41]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[21:35] - Exalting Jesus: The Only Worthy One
[23:44] - Christ’s Sacrifice and the Father’s Love
[25:15] - Responding to God’s Mercy
[27:04] - Hebrews 10: Confidence in Christ
[27:44] - The Triune Nature of Salvation
[29:44] - Sanctification: From Obligation to Desire
[31:03] - Glorification: The Rest of Righteousness
[32:17] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[34:05] - Children’s Dismissal and Family Life
[34:48] - Is the Church Just a Social Club?
[36:42] - Fellowship in Action: The Chney Story
[38:02] - Biblical Fellowship: Stirring Up Love
[39:21] - The Power and Purpose of Fellowship
[41:22] - Bearing One Another’s Burdens
[42:41] - The Early Church: A Model of Love
[43:50] - Living Out Christ’s Love Together
[45:08] - Invitation to Fellowship and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Exalting Jesus and Living Out Christ’s Love in Fellowship
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### Bible Reading
Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)
> Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
> And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
> Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 10:19-25, what gives us confidence to draw near to God, and what are we encouraged to do as a result? ([27:04])
2. In Acts 2:42-47, what specific practices did the early church devote themselves to, and what was the result of their fellowship? ([42:41])
3. How does Galatians 6:2 describe the way believers are to relate to one another? ([41:22])
4. The sermon described the story of Andre and Magda Chney. What actions did their church take during World War II, and what motivated them? ([36:42])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The passage in Hebrews talks about “stirring up one another to love and good works.” What does this look like in a church community, and why is it important not to neglect meeting together? ([38:02])
2. The early church in Acts shared meals, resources, and time. What does this reveal about their understanding of fellowship and the love of Christ? ([42:41])
3. The sermon described salvation as justification, sanctification, and glorification. How does understanding salvation in this way affect the way someone lives out their faith? ([27:44])
4. The Chney story was used as an example of radical fellowship. What risks or sacrifices might real fellowship require today, and what would motivate someone to take those risks? ([36:42])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “Worship is a unique offering from each heart, rooted in the recognition that only Jesus is worthy.” What is one way you can make Jesus the center of your daily life this week? ([21:35])
2. The process of sanctification moves us from “I should love God” to “I long for God.” Where are you on that journey right now? What is one step you can take to grow in your desire for God rather than just obligation? ([29:44])
3. The early church shared meals and resources, and bore each other’s burdens. Is there a practical need in your small group or church community that you could help meet this month? ([42:41])
4. The Chney family and their church risked their safety to help others. Is there a situation in your life where you feel called to take a risk or make a sacrifice for someone else? What holds you back, and what would help you move forward? ([36:42])
5. The sermon challenged us to see fellowship as more than just socializing. What is one intentional step you can take this week to deepen your relationships in the church—such as inviting someone for a meal, praying with someone, or sharing a burden? ([43:50])
6. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “encourage one another.” Who is someone in your life who needs encouragement right now, and how can you reach out to them this week? ([38:02])
7. The sermon said, “Our mission is to remember Christ and live like Him, letting His love transform our gatherings.” What is one change you could make in your attitude or actions during church gatherings to better reflect Christ’s love? ([43:50])
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