WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH (Outline)
March 7, 2010 -
Lent 3 -
JOHN 4:15-26
INTRO: Each Sunday believers gather together in churches to draw near to God. In such worship places believers have a certain closeness to God as God draws near to them in his holy word. Visible churches are built of brick, mortar, stone, and wood. Jesus drew near to the well of Jacob in Samaria to save a thirsting soul. We are reminded that believers worship God in spirit and in truth. "As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 PETER 2:4,5). We draw near to God in our house of worship to offer praise “acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. Only through Christ is our worship acceptable to God. Today we are reminded to
WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.
I. Worship is more than a place.
II. Worship is our way of living.
I. WORSHIP IS MORE THAN A PLACE
A. Jesus traveled through Samaria. He rested at the well of Jacob at noon. A woman comes for water.
1. Jesus and the woman discuss living water. Jesus offers her the living water – God’s word.
2. Verse 15. The woman wanted this water: no more thirst, no more drawing from a deep well.
B. This woman was stuck with earthly thinking much more than spiritual. God’s ways are higher.
1. Verse 20. This mountain was Gerizim [blessing mount, (Ebal, curses) Deuteronomy 11:29].
2. Samaritans felt that Jews considered Jerusalem as the only place to worship, not Mt. Gerizim.
C. Verse 21. Jesus wanted this woman to expand her thinking. True worship was not limited to a place.
1. Verse 22. Samaritans had the Torah – Law (first 5 books of Bible). Gospel is a promise there.
2. Verse 23. God seeks out his true worshippers. They are found in all kinds of places, settings.
D. Worship today has turned back to what the woman thought. Today, many people are overly concerned about the place of worship. Too many are followers of the person preaching rather than the word that is preached. Flip through the television channels and you will see many popular preachers. Sadly many of them are promoting their books or their plans for successful earthly living. Where is the Bible? Where is God’s plan for eternity? "But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor"(MICAH 4:12). Though men rant and rave and distort God’s word – God is still in charge. He will bring about the final harvest.
E. The Bible is the living and active word of God. God’s Law reminds us of sin. Not one person does what is good in the eyes of God. Thankfully and joyfully God’s Gospel tells us of salvation. Our sins are forgiven by the grace of our loving and merciful Father. On the cross Jesus declared: “It is finished!” The price of redemption was paid in full by the death of Christ for the sins of the world. Do you know that the leader of the largest mega-church in our nation has removed the cross from his gatherings? “It is too controversial”, states this man. The cross of Christ reminds us of the curse of sin. We are guilty. No one wants to admit to such a “controversy”. Man removes the cross. Maybe people can now feel good about themselves. Without the cross of Christ there is no forgiveness and no eternity. "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men" (MATTHEW 15:8,9). Worship God in spirit and in truth!
F. Where shall we worship if worship is more than a place? God revealed his name to Moses: “I AM” (first lesson, below). Those that gather around the name of the Lord worship the Lord wherever they might be. The name of the Lord can be found in a place such as a house of worship. The name of the Lord is also written in the Scriptures. "But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go" (DEUTERONOMY 12:5). The name of the Lord is also printed on the heart of every believer. Worship God.
WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.
Worship is more than a place or even one place.
II. WORSHIP IS OUR WAY OF LIVING
A. Back to the well of Jacob. Jesus and a woman discuss living water and true worship of the true God.
1. Verses 16, 17a. Jesus wants the woman to get her husband to enjoy the living water.
2. Verses 17b, 18. She had lived a very immoral life. She gave up on marriage and on God.
B. Verse 19. Now her eyes of faith are beginning to see that this man is no ordinary Jew.
1. Notice that Jesus had pointed out her sinful life and current sinful living arrangement.
2. She did not run off but recognized this man was God’s prophet sent to proclaim God’s word.
C. Verse 24. Jesus gets back to the point of worship. Worshippers will come from every nation.
1. Verse 25. This woman is looking for the Messiah (Anointed) promised in their Bible.
2. Verse 26. No mistake. “I am he.” The Messiah (Christ) is the One speaking to her.
a. This woman’s life changes. b. She brings others to Jesus. c. Jesus words save many.
D. Jesus provides that living water desperately needed by one thirsting soul. That thirsting soul, once satisfied, leads to the saving of many other souls. It is easy for us to recognize when our bodies are thirsty and/or hungry. It does not take us very long to take of those pressing earthly needs. To recognize that our souls thirst takes more attention on our part. Again, look around in this world. Soon you see just how dry and unsatisfying this world has become. "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (PSALM 63:1). The expert advice and best plans of man are only empty, dry promises that provide nothing for eternity.
E. It is our Lord God Almighty and our Lord God Almighty alone that is able to satisfy our thirsting souls. The word of God is the living water that each one of us desperately needs, whether we always realize it or not. God’s grace surpasses human understanding. God provides peace that our world cannot and does not give. "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (ISAIAH 58:11). Friends, we are the “well-watered garden(s)” in this sun-scorched land. Our lives are to “bubble up” with living water for those whose souls are thirsty. Many are fearful of the future. Let your confidence and certainty concerning God’s forgiveness shower over those with thirsting souls.
F. Worship is much, much more than one place. For the believer worship is our way of living. In fact, worship is God’s desire for our lives. How sad it would be if we tried to keep our worship confined in the four walls of God’s house. Instead, our worship and praise flows from our joyful lives. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" (ROMANS 12:1). We offer our lips to praise “in view of God’s mercy”. We offer our hearts and lives in joyful, daily worship because of God’s great mercy.
CONC.: It is great to have a nice place of worship. We gather together in the safety and security provided by being close to God in worship in church. The four walls grant us some comfort and peace in keeping out the cares, concerns, and darkness of the wicked world all around us. How thankful we are that worship is more than a place. Worship is our way of living. "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (PHILIPPIANS 2:10, 11). WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. We worship in this place together. Our lives are worship every day to God’s glory. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
LENT 3 rdgs:
EXODUS 3:1-15;
1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-13;
LUKE 13:1-9;
(PSALM 38)
SERVICES: 1:00pm @ NCF Min. (Sat)/12:00pm @ NCF Medium (Sun) / 9:30am @ Redeemer (Sun) / 7:00pm @ Hays (Sun)
BIBLE STUDIES: 10:55am @ Redeemer (SUN) / 6:00pm (Min) + 7:30pm (Med) @ NCF (TUES.)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM
