John 4:6-42: Descriptions of a True Worshiper

Introduction

A. Read verses 23-24.

B. God is seeking out true worshippers.

1. Our worship must be in spirit and truth.

2. Our access to Him is through Jesus Christ and modeled after the Messiah’s example.

3. Jesus positions himself in such a way to draw the Samaritan women to the Father.

Jesus positions himself to offer living water and draw people to the Father, despite Weariness (hunger and thirst, despite social and cultural norms, and despite moral level of a person.

C. True worshippers...

1. Have a relationship with the Father (they have taken of the living water)

2. Are wholeheartedly committed (they are spirit led)

3. Are mindfully committed (they are truth led)

4. Draw others to genuine worship (they are discipleship led)

I. True worshippers have a relationship with the Father (they have taken of the living water), vv. 6-18

A. They have consciously accepted Jesus, the Christ, as the covering of their unrighteousness, vv. 7-15

“At its most basic level, worship is drawing near to God in fellowship with him and obedience to him such that he is magnified and glorified.” Worship—magnifying God’s worth and glory—is the reason God made us.

But sin is essentially failure to bring God glory (Rom 3:23)—it is failure to worship him. This failure creates barriers to drawing near to God in worship, and it brings with it severe punishment: eternal separation from the presence of God in hell. Sin prevents us from drawing near to God in worship; it prevents us from doing what we were created to do. Worship of God is for believers. It is impossible for unbelievers to worship if they first have not drawn near to the throne of grace.

B. They have been confronted truth and consequences of their unrighteousness, vv. 16-18

Through wholeheartedly accepting the Gospel (Christ sacrificial death in our place and life-giving resurrection) and repenting of sin, a person will be saved from separation from God and enabled once again to draw near to him in true worship (1 Peter 3:18). The believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ makes worship of God possible for us.

Application: Have you taken of the living water? Are right with God? John 3 – Nicodemus

II. True worshippers are wholeheartedly committed (they are spirit led), vv. 19-26

A. They are not worshippers out of traditional convenience or embellished instruction

B. Their commitment is from a heart aligned with godly spiritual matters

Application: Father’s are you making spiritual things important at home?

III. True worshippers are mindfully committed (they are truth led), vv. 19-26

A. They observe all that God has commanded

Matthew 28:18-20

B. They are zealous for purity

Application: How is your commitment to what God has commanded?

IV. True worshippers draw others to worship (they are discipleship led), vv. 27-42

A. They replicate as faithful workers, vv. 27-38

B. They carry Christ’s missions of drawing people to the Father, vv. 39-42

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Application: What is keeping you from drawing others to the Father?

Conclusion

Review: True worshippers...

1. Have a relationship with the Father (they have taken of the living water)

A. They have consciously accepted Jesus, the Christ, as the covering of their unrighteousness

B. They have been confronted truth and consequences of their unrighteousness

Application:

2. Are wholeheartedly committed (they are spirit led)

A. They are not worshippers out of traditional convenience or embellished instruction

B. Their commitment is from a heart aligned with godly spiritual matters

Application:

3. Are mindfully committed (they are truth led)

A. They observe all that God has commanded

B. They are zealous for purity

Application:

4. Draw others to genuine worship (they are discipleship led)

A. They replicate

B. They carry Christ’s missions of drawing people to the Father

Application: