Authentic Passion 4 "Worship" Series

AUTHENTIC PASSION 4

“Worship”

TEXT: John 4:21-4:24

INTRO: This morning we are starting our NEW Series “Authentic Passion. Authentic Passion 4 Worship, Word, Work, & World. As a Christian we are marked by our passion… our Passion for God. People are always looking and observing us and over the course of then next 4 weeks we want to look at four areas that all Christians need to have a passion in. This morning we start by looking at “Worship.”

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Authentic Worship is NOT…

A ritual or duty

A specific time on Sunday morning

An act or performance

Music

Authentic Worship is: exclusive (Exodus 20:3-5) it’s a lifestyle (John 4:23)

As Christians we are marked by our worship.

“Worship is more than a physical or intellectual exercise; it is a purposeful, spiritual activity concentrating on God, thinking about His power & majesty – turning my attention away from myself”

HOW ARE WE TO WORSHIP?

John 4: 21-24 Jesus is talking about how we as a people are to worship God

We READ…

Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

In this passage Jesus gives us the patter/formula for true “Authentic” Worship:

1. “IN SPIRIT” = the level at which true worship takes place. Its Our Spirit connecting with Gods.

2. “IN TRUTH” = worshiping in truth involves the truth of the Father, revealed in the Son, and received through the Spirit because truth is God’s very nature and characteristic

*Authentic Worship comes from a heart that is fully devoted to the Lord

The word “worship” is derived from an Old English word “worth-ship”

*Worship is God-centered not man-centered

“True [Authentic] worship is not found in an act of performance, but rather in a life of heartfelt dedication and commitment. In other words…an all encompassing lifestyle.” ~Jane Hamon

Know that we have laid a foundation for “What Authentic Worship is,” & “How we are to Worship.” this brings me to my First Point:

I. AUTHENTIC PASSION 4 WORSHIP: IS SACRIFICIAL

Genesis 22:2-5 say, “Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will WORSHIP and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham called the sacrificing of his own son worship.

Abraham understood that true [Authentic] worship was not free -- but rather involved giving to the Lord. Abraham knew that God would not give him a promised son and then take him away. He knew God could raise him back to life if Abraham had to sacrifice.

A true worshiper is not concerned with what worship costs him/her (friends, family, reputation, social status)

Bottom Line: Like Abraham the dearest thing in your life will determine the level of worship to which you will be able to go. Will you be able to lay it down? Will you let go of your likes or your preferences to enter into True Worship.

AUTHENTIC PASSION 4 WORSHIP: IS REVERENTIAL (RESPECTFUL)

Psalm 5:7 “But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.”

-Authentic Worship is not done in a half-hearted, lackadaisical manner; it flows from a heart of reverence and respect for God

-A reverent worshiper dwells in the presence of God, because that individual always welcomes God; and God is able to manifest Himself on that person’s behalf.

When God shows up, our response determines the outcome.

Do you remember in….

Joshua 5:13-14 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”