Title: True Worshipers
Theme: To show that life is when we worship God. We find hope. We find peace. We have change.
Text: John 4
Opening Scripture
John 4:19-24 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. (20) Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." (21) Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. (22) You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. (23) But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (24) God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Introduction
Jesus meets this woman at the well. This is not a chance meeting as the scripture tells us that Jesus “needed to go through Samaria.” This was not a common route as for the Jew they would avoid Samaria to avoid the people. They felt the people were “beneath” them. They felt the Samaritans were compromisers of Judaism.
But Jesus had a purpose. God had called Him to reach all people. To reconcile people to God. I found this scripture this week. What a joy.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
Jesus gives an example of what this means. We are God’s ambassador. We have been filled with God’s Spirit. We have been called to “implore” the people to “be reconciled to God”
Jesus meets this “woman at the well” to help her get “reconciled” with God.
The conversation begins on simple terms of water. Natural water. It quickly veers to living water.
You could just sense in her a new hope.
Her life was a mess. She was being shunned by the city (coming to get water in the noon was not normal unless you are trying to avoid the crowds). Her relationships were a mess. She had been married five times and quit on marriage so now she is “shacking up” with a man.
Not sure how she get here but this is not where she began. Life at one time had more hope and joy than this. Especially when you get married for the first time and you believe that your love can solve any problem. There is nothing that can separate you. I am not sure what happened. Maybe an affair, maybe abuse, maybe just life drew them apart but that marriage fell apart.
She finds herself gathering water in the middle of the day, lost hope but then she meets Jesus. Why because Jesus was there to meet her.
Pause: Jesus is here to meet you today also. Plan of Salvation
So, the conversation ensues, and Jesus reveals some things about her. It was unexpected but it was prophetic. He knows her. He knows her heart.
Finally, we get to this passage.
Jesus the Prophet
John 4:19-24 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
That is a start. Jesus is more than a prophet.
Matthew 16:13-19 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (14) So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (15) He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" (16) Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (17) Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed [78] in heaven."
A Needed Relief
(20) Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
There was a true dispute between the Jews and the Samaritans about the place to worship. Was it to be Mt
Gerizim or in Jerusalem. Mt. Gerizim is believed to be the place where Abraham & Jacob built and altar. Even where Abraham was to have “sacrificed” Isaac.
This woman needed relief. Forgiveness of sins. Where was she going to worship?
Today people says with all the “denominations” how do we know. Where are we going to go to. Jesus brings her back to the “Heart of worship”.
A place of worship or the God in whom we worship.
Israel missed it when they took the ark to battle. They forget it was not the object to worship the God in whom we worship.
The missed it when they made the idol.
(21) Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
“the hour is coming” – there is coming a time and Jesus uses the word hour because it is very short. Quickly coming.
It will not be about this mountain or that mountain. This place or that place. This denomination/organization or that denomination/organization.
(22) You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
Jesus is a Jew. God set forth salvation to come through the Jews through Jesus Christ who was born of the tribe of Judah in the linage of David.
“you worship what you do not know” – you worship in ignorance.
Some points used from Worship in Spirit and Truth John 4:24 by Dean Courtier
One of the characteristics of false worship. 1) Ignorant worship
Preacher commentary: So truth and spirit are at the center of living worship. Knowing who it is we worship is of utmost importance. Worship in ignorance, regardless of what name we give it, is a sham and an empty form. This had become the situation among the Samaritans who had removed themselves from so much of the prophecies and teaching of the Old Testament. Sadly, they worshiped what they did not know.
“we know what we worship” – Jesus is a Jew. Know who to worship. A world of people missing what God’s plans are.
“salvation is of the Jesus” Jesus is the “way, the truth and the life”.
Other characteristics False worship
1) Selective worship. Choosing how or their taking apart certain ways of worship
2) Superstitious worship. Worship in fear
The Hour is Coming and Is Here – The time is now
(23) But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (24) God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;”
The hour is coming – it is here. What? Worship is changing. Where to worship is changing. How to worship is changing.
“God is seeking” – Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you” God is looking.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
God is a Spirit
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT): "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
This is true worship.
Quotation: A.W. Tozer said, "Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us."
Spirit and truth. Fulness of our self
Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. [60]
God is seeking those to worship Him
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (10) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Worshiping in Spirit
“John 4:24 (NLT): "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
Exegesis: Worshipping in spirit means engaging our hearts, souls, and spirits in adoration of God. It goes beyond external forms and rituals, focusing on an intimate and heartfelt connection with the Divine. This worship is characterized by sincerity, passion, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26 (NLT): "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words."
This verse reassures us of the Holy Spirit's role as our intercessor. In times of weakness and uncertainty, especially when we struggle to find the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit steps in and prays on our behalf. These groanings are deep, inexpressible expressions that align with God’s will, perfectly articulating our needs and desires even when we cannot.
Worshiping in Truth
John 4:24 (NLT): "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
“Worshipping in truth involves aligning our worship with the truth of God’s Word and His nature. It means our worship must be grounded in Scripture, reflecting the reality of who God is and His commands. Truth keeps our worship authentic and prevents it from becoming superficial or misguided.
Psalm 145:18 (NLT): "The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth."
"To seek God in truth is to approach Him with a sincere heart, free from pretense, seeking His face earnestly." —A.W. Tozer
Think of a lighthouse guiding ships to safety with its light. Worship in truth acts as our spiritual lighthouse, guiding our hearts and minds to the true nature and will of God.
Tim Keller said, "Worship is ascribing ultimate value to something in a way that energizes and engages your whole being."
Living Out Worship Daily
John 4:24 (NLT): "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
True worship is not confined to a church service; it encompasses our entire lives. Worship in spirit and truth influences how we live, work, and interact with others. Our daily actions, decisions, and attitudes should reflect our worship and reverence for God.
Romans 12:1 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."
Paul urges believers to respond to God’s mercy by offering their whole selves as a living sacrifice. This means dedicating every part of our lives to God's service as an act of worship. Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, which were dead offerings, we are called to be living sacrifices, continually offering ourselves in daily obedience and service.
C.S. Lewis wrote, "The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God."
What does that mean. It means you can understand Him with your mind but you can feel Him in your Spirit.
Yes you can know Him by His word. This word. Yes you can hear His voice speak to your heart.
But you can feel Him. Like a “fire shut up in your bones”.
He is alive. He is hope. He is life.
Conclusion
Let us change your mindset today. We need to quick believing that worship is created by a song or a stage or a feeling but engage in Spirit and True worship. Engaging in who we are today that affects how we live tomorrow.
Let us close in worship today.
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