Worship in Spirit and Truth.3

True Worship: Concentration on God's Word

Bible Passage: John 4:24, Romans 12:1–2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Colossians 3:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22–24

Summary: This theme emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, focusing on the transformative power of His Word in our lives. Concentration on the Word is the highest form of worship.

1. Authentic Worship in Spirit and Truth

John 4:24 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””

This is not to say the Spirit does not involve the capacity for understanding.

Emphasize the necessity of authentic worship in spirit and truth as taught by Jesus. The focus should be on how worship goes beyond mere rituals, and emotions moving into a sincere heart response grounded in God's truth.

"Sometimes we hear it said that ten minutes on your knees will give you a truer, deeper, more operative knowledge of God than ten hours over your books. 'What!' is the appropriate response, 'than ten hours over your books, on your knees?' Why should you turn from God when you turn to your books, or feel that you must from your books in order to turn to God? If learning and devotion are as antagonistic as that, then the intellectual life is in itself accursed and there can be no question of a religious life for a student, even of theology." — 𝐁.𝐁. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 (1912-1913)

Modernist Theology - relies on eisegesis of the interpreter - personal theology

Charismatic - emotional, revival theology (focus on gifts not giver or purpose)

Higher Criticism - rationalization, humanistic theology (substitute academia for pastoral ministry)

Didactic and polemic theology refers to the teaching (didactic) aspect of theology that focuses on instructing believers in the faith, as well as the apologetic (polemic) aspect, which involves defending the truth of faith and standing against errors and opposing views.

Worship (THE TEN MOST MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS) not a feeling when we sing or exercise our gifts. Refers to “Bowing down”. Daniel would not bow down and worship the idol that Nebuchadnezzar built. He would not worship it.

John 9:35–37 “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.””

John 9:38 “Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.” He bowed down, he didn’t dance, sing, or prophesy…

John in Revelation was rebuked for bowing down (worshipping) the messenger. Revelation 19:10 “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.””

True worship is: bowing our heads in prayer

Bowing our emotions in praise

Bowing our lives in service

Bowing our minds in concentration on the word of God.

2. Living Sacrifices, Transformed Minds

Romans 12:1–2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Once, a man was confronted with a cluttered attic full of old boxes. He felt overwhelmed, but realized that sorting through them might reveal treasures hidden beneath the chaos. This mirrors our minds; filled with clutter, distractions, and negative thoughts rooted in the world. By intentionally engaging with Scripture, we can renew our minds and uncover the profound wisdom and truth God has for us.

ἀνακαίνωσις - new again, a daily part of sanctification. Yesterday’s manna was old.

The Apostle Paul instructs us in Romans 12:2 not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Picture a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. It’s a complete metamorphosis. Just as the caterpillar has to shed its old self, the Word of God is the mechanism for true transformation.

Imagine a computer whose software is constantly crashing. The blue screen of death. The solution? A complete reset and renewal of the operating system. Similarly, we often overload our minds with negativity and untruths. By engaging with the Scriptures regularly, we can reset our thoughts, aligning them with God’s truth and experiencing profound peace and wisdom in our daily lives. reboot…

If you have an intrusive thought. How do you cast it down? Speak truth right away. Have the word in your heart and use it. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Speak truth to yourself

We can’t be double-minded. You can’t speak what is true and believe a lie at the same time.

3. Beholding Transforms Believers

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Beholding the glory of the Lord transforms us into His likeness. This links how true worship results in sanctification, a gradual transformation that reflects Christ’s glory. Consider encouraging the audience to look to Christ regularly as the source of truth and transformation. Living in God's presence in genuine worship changes us deeply and eternally. It is the method of metamorphosis

A gardener diligently prunes a fruit tree to encourage healthier growth. Similarly, our minds can become overgrown with weeds of doubt, fear, and worldly distractions. By cultivating our minds through prayer and Scripture reading, we allow God to prune away these negative thoughts, enabling us to bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

4. New Creations in Truth

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

In Genesis 1, God spoke the universe into existence with just His words. When we embrace the new creation through Christ, we're acknowledging that same divine power is at work within us. Each day is an invitation to witness the transformation of our hearts, minds, and lives—a miracle made possible through the Word of God. Just as God said 'Let there be light,' He speaks over us, calling forth new life from the shadows of our past.

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that 'if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!' This powerful truth reveals that our identity changes completely when we surrender to Christ. It's not merely a fresh start; it's a rebirth. Our past failures and sins do not define us any longer. Instead, God’s Word redefines our existence, giving us a fresh purpose and new life.

5. Renewal: Embrace New Life

Ephesians 4:22–24 “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul instructs us to put off our old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. It’s like changing your clothes: the old garments represent our past sins, whereas the new garments signify our renewed identity. Engaging with Scripture daily allows us to choose the right clothing for our spiritual lives, reflecting the transformation that accompanies faith in Christ. What are you going to wear today?

καινός ἄνθρωπος - the new man by being renewed in the spirit of your mind

Consider a forest after a wildfire. While the flames destroy much, they also clear the way for new growth. God’s Word acts like a purifying fire in our hearts, burning away the old, dead parts of our lives and allowing new life to sprout forth. By engaging with Scripture, we nurture that growth and emerge renewed, embodying the 'new man' designed by our Creator. Like pruning, fire opens up the life of the forest for growth.

Visualize a house undergoing a renovation. The old fixtures and outdated designs are replaced with fresh styles, reflecting the homeowner's current preferences. Similarly, when we allow the Word of God to work in us, we are renovated from within, shedding our old selves and embracing a new life in Christ. This biblical teaching reminds us that transformation is an ongoing process, rooted deeply in God's truth. DEMO DAY