“What Is Worship” - #1
John 4:7-24
* Please take you Bibles and turn with me to John 4. In just a moment we’ll read verses 7-24.
* I read a story this week of a little boy whose parents were avid sports fans. They didn’t miss a game. On the other hand, they went to church services only sporadically. In his mind the little boy was attempting to learn what was alike and what was different about the two meeting places. Finally he found the one thing that is done both at the ball field as well as in church. On the Sunday before Independence Day, they began the worship service with the “Star Spangled Banner”. The boy recognized this song from the ball games and sang his heart out. He loved the ending where they were able to sing loudly as they wanted. This morning it was GREAT!! The entire congregation roared, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” As the congregation became quiet - and - right on cue the little boy shouted, “Play ball”.
* I read another story of a little boy who didn’t really want to go to church service. He wanted to stay home and do something else. When he arrived at the church building with his parents, he noticed pictures in the lobby. Being a little boy, he didn’t realize there was a war going on and that these pictures were honoring those men and women who had lost their lives on the field of battle in defense of our nation. He asked, “Who are these people?” The head usher said, “These are pictures of people who have lost their lives in the service.” With a fearful look the boy shyly asked, “Was that the morning service or the evening service?”
* To the little boy who said, “Play ball” we should say that worship is not a game and to the other boy who was afraid of dying in the service, we should say that “worship should not be like a funeral.” Vance Havner said, “If things are quiet and undisturbed in your church, it is not necessarily a good thing. Things are generally pretty quiet around the sick and the dead -- especially in the grave yards.”
* The simple truth is that in the “worship services” of the average church, you might get the idea that someone has died. Honestly, I am glad that we got the word that someone did die, but that was not the end of the story, HE CAME BACK TO LIFE. That’s a reason to rejoice! In the days after the ascension, the church services took on the form of a party as they celebrated the life of Jesus. What is Worship?
* Today, we have begun 30 Days of Praise. We are on a journey.
* This is an informational, inspiration, and impacting journey to understand what it means to worship, to praise, to know God more, to worship with others, and to listen to God’s voice. It is my belief that if we will apply ourselves for the next 5 Sundays, our outlook, inlook, and uplook, will be changed forever.
* Today let’s begin with Jesus’ teaching on worship. Let read our text.
* The conversation we have just read is almost predictable on several levels. First, Jesus always begins with a subject that is very natural. In this case, the woman had come to draw water so Jesus began with water. However, to learn from Jesus is to recognize that He begins with the natural and moves the subject to the spiritual. From water to living water to offering eternal life. He said, “Come and drink and never thirst again.” Her response was like ours, “I want some.”
* It is at this point that we see both the spirit and truth of Jesus Himself. For He made the offer like He always does, but before He gives it, He will always probe into our personal lives to root out that which is displeasing to God. “Go call your husband and come back.” Ouch. He could have talked all day and not gone there. Probably with a mixture of embarrassment and terseness she said, “I have no husband.” After hearing Jesus response, this woman did what many of us do, she changed the subject. Her subject something which she felt comfortable discussing (as opposed to her life). It was Worship.
* They were many debates surrounding worship in those days also. The most heated debate was about the location. Samaritan felt they could worship on Mt Gerizim and the Jews thought it should be in Jerusalem. In Antiquities, Josephus suggests that this tradition of worship goes back as far as Sanballat in the days of Nehemiah. Obviously, some of those buildings there were Christian in nature. This woman thought, “I can side track this religious prophet.” Little did she realize to whom she was speaking.
* In the 3 verses numbered 21-24, Jesus gives us a divine lesson on the subject of worship. I’ll submit to you 3 thoughts He gives;
1) The Description of Worship – In four verses Jesus uses worship or worshipper (by my count) 8 times. It seems to me that this woman struck a nerve or at least a sensitive issue with Jesus.
* The Greek word for worship is a compound word which literally means “towards” and “to kiss.” Put together, the word means to “kiss towards.” This word was used in Bible days to describe somebody who would kiss someone else’s hand. Men, have you ever kissed the hand of your sweetheart? How did you do it? You reached and gently took her hand, while raising it up you bowed down, and with gentle affection you expressed yourself with the touch of your lips. (I understand that for some of you, this is too much sentiment for a quarter, but it’s still true)
* Furthermore, because of your internal affections your external demeanor was affected so you had a look of utter joy on your face.
* Now consider that picture and relate it to our coming into this large room to “worship.” Do we come in with our affections leaning us towards our Lord ready to figuratively “kiss His hand?”
* I heard about two men who went into business together. One man’s name was Jim Heart and the man’s name was Paul Head, Mr. Heart & Mr. Head. So what do you think they called their new business, "Head & Heart." Well, not long after that began, tragedy struck. Heart died. At the funeral, a friend of the family in referring to their business said, "Poor Heart has died and left Head alone." Friend, when it comes to Worship, I’m afraid that Poor Heart had died and left Head alone! And I want to suggest that we need to resurrect Ole Heart! We need to put our Heart back into worship!
* The Object of our Worship must be the Father. Look at our text and count how many times Jesus points us to the Father for our authentic worship. In Bible Study this morning, you should have read Deuteronomy 6 which says, “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” Allow me to make an observation about modern day worship; there is a tendency to make ourselves the object of our worship. Or just as bad, we focus our attention on those who lead the worship time. The Father is the object, He is one only worthy and He requires that our focus be on Him.
* The Operation of our Worship must be our Faith. It would serve us well to get our minds around this spiritual truth: A non-believer cannot experience worship. Why do I say this? Because only “true worshippers” are able to worship the Father in both spirit & truth. We are back to the issue of love which drives our faith. If we love God, we do what He says. Doing what He says is all about His word, His command, and better stated, His truth. His truth is this; there is only one way to God and that is through a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus. That is the Son’s truth & the Father’s truth which we respond to in love based upon our faith. Only when we call on the name of the Lord do we receive the Holy Spirit. With His Truth and In His Spirit, we can “kiss towards” Him.
The description of our worship is that we come to Him, seek Him, see Him, and offer Him offer affection, our respect, and our Love.
2) The Distractions to Worship – Practically speaking, there are many things which distract the true worshipper from worshipping. Let’s talk about a couple of the modern day issues; Have you ever walked up to your pastor just before the service begins and said, “I don’t like that student minister. What he’s doing isn’t right.” Or the worse, “Preacher, I NEED to talk with you after the service.” That’ll bless you.
* Beyond the trite issues which we think are such a big deal, there are some Biblical issues which distract us and thus destroy our worship of the Father.
* First, there is Sinfulness – In the life of the Samaritan woman Jesus KNEW she had a problem with sexual immorality; it was something she was hoping to keep hidden from Him. We attempt to do the same thing. To some of us He says, “Go get your husband”, to others “Go get your pocketbook”, to others “Go get your schedule”, “go get your ministry” and bring it to me. This morning for you it is a “fill in the blank” command. What is your blank filled with? The Bible says, “if I am aware of malice in my heart, the Lord will not listen.” (Psa 66:18) (Mic 6:8) What does the Lord require? To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”
* Next, there is Shallowness – The woman is making an argument over the trivial and missing the spiritual principle. For her, it is all about the location, the established tradition; it is not about the Sovereign God who is the object. Today, it is a common practice to argue over style. Think about it; close your eyes and think about worship, what comes to your mind? For some, it is a great pianist giving a great rendition of a Bill Gaither song or a hymn. For others it would be a great choir. Still others would hear the guitars, drums, and a praise team belting out the sound of the gospel. Please listen and listen closely, none of these—in and of them constitutes worship. Believe it or not, we can worship without ever striking one musical chord. It is shallow at best and sinful at worst, to limit worship of Jehovah God only to music.
3) The Decisions from Worship – In verses 25-30, an amazing thing happens. When she heard Jesus’ clear teaching on worship, her demeanor seems to change & she says, “We know that the Messiah is coming & will help us to understand about all this.” His response, “Guess what, I am the one that is coming.”
* At those words, she made a series of personal decisions which created a domino effect for her home town. Remember, this is the group of people who has watched her make many immoral mistakes. And don’t forget, in OUR weakness, HE is made strong.
* She responded by leaving her water pot, changing her priorities.
* She returned to those very people she had been living with.
* Without hesitation, she revealed to them Jesus’ work in her life.
* Without apology, she retrieved all who would come to this man.
Worship is not simply about being charged up, it is about being “filled up.” Think about it this way, “you kiss toward God”, He responds and the results are a changed life.
