The Heart Of Worship

TEXT: John 4:23-24

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Worship is the act of paying reverential homage to the Almighty God. It is a means of honouring the creator of the universe from the depth of heart, body, soul and spirit. Whatever we do to please God is an act of worship.

THE HEART OF WORSHIP

What then is the heart of worship? The heart of worship is holiness and sincerity. Worship is spiritual and to please God, we must worship him in spirit and in truth. "Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god (Psalms 24:3-4)." Holiness, purity and sincerity are the ingredients that makes worship acceptable to God. We cannot worship God acceptably with sin in our hearts. Proverbs 15:8 says: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."

What is the state of your mind and your heart in the place of worship? Are your hands clean? Is your heart pure? The Lord in his mercy, will cleanse our hands and purge our hearts with the blood of Jesus and render our sincere worship acceptable to him in Jesus name.

WORSHIPPING GOD IN SPIRIT

1. We must depend on the Holy Ghost and not the flesh if we desire to worship God in the spirit. There is no place for carnality or deceit. Phil 3:3 says: "For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.'

2. We must worship God in the spirit with total focus on him and a reverential flame of affection burning brightly from our hearts (Ps 57:7). In 2 Chron 20:1-30, the people of Judah gathered together to worship God in the face of battle. They were totally focused on him with a reverential flame of worship burning in their hearts. They elected to deliberately put worshippers before their soldiers as they approached the enemy. Their actions touched the heart of God and he arose and fought for them, completely destroying their enemies. As you focus on God and worship him, he will arise and fight for you. He will put your foes to flight and grant you victory in Jesus name

3. God requires that we worship him in the spirit by living to please him, loving and serving him with all our heart and soul in godly fear and reverence. “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul" (Deut 10:12). Are you living your life to please God?

4. Worshipping God in the spirit means surrendering and devoting all to him. Spiritual worship is all about God; not you, not the congregation, not the music, not the prayer points, not the pastor or anything else. To put any other thing before God in our worship is idolatry. God inhabits our worship and is enthroned in our hearts, when we forget ourselves and our mundane worldly pursuits in his presence (Ps 22:3).

WORSHIPPING GOD IN TRUTH

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8-9)

1. To worship God in truth is to worship him with sincerity. God not only requires us to worship him with all our mind but also with all our heart. Matthew 15:8-9 highlights the practice of some believers who draw unto God with their mouth and lips but their hearts and minds are far away from God. These people turn away from the truth of the gospel of Christ and teach the traditions and commandments of men. Let's follow the admonition of Paul who says: "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." As you draw near to God, he will cleanse and purify your heart in Jesus name.

2. Worshipping God in truth implies aiming at God's glory and not glorifying self or men. Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego showed what it meant to worship God in truth. They refused to bow down to the King or worship his idol. They preferred to please God rather than man. They were ready to die for what they believe rather than compromise their faith. Many believers today compromise the message of the gospel to gain the patronage of men. This is deceitful worship. The Lord will strengthen you to stand for the truth of God's word in the face of adversity in Jesus name.