The Worship Connection

The Worship Connection

Introduction

There was a game show or sitcom entitled “The Love Connection”. Pat Woolery was the host of the show.

Connection is defined as a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. "the connections between social attitudes and productivity"

"the connections between social attitudes and productivity"

The goal of this message today is to leave with an understanding that worship is about connection, and that connection comes via relationship.

Detours - (4-5)

Distractors (6, 8)

#1 The Person to Worship

God is the object of Worship! God must be the object of worship.

God is a Spirit! Worship is spiritual.

“For the Evangelist, therefore, Jerusalem and Gerizim, when they are correctly understood, are replaced by Jesus and his word, which in turn become the gift of the Spirit to the church.”

For the Evangelist, therefore, Jerusalem and Gerizim, when they are correctly understood, are replaced by Jesus and his word, which in turn become the gift of the Spirit to the church.

Haenchen, Ernst, Robert Walter Funk, and Ulrich Busse. John: A Commentary on the Gospel of John. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984. Print. Hermeneia—a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible.

cp 6-14: Samaritan Woman (SW) vs Jesus (J)

physical vs the spiritual; external vs internal; temporary vs permanent

#2 The Participants in Worship

-”…they that worship Him...” or “…his worshipers...”

Samaritan-half-breeds

Woman-separate

Woman with a Reputation-no conversation

#3 The Prerequisites for Worship

[the] Spirit

truth - truth (quality) n. — conformity to reality or actuality; often with the implication of dependability.

truth (quality) n. — conformity to reality or actuality; often with the implication of dependability.

“...true worship is not a matter of geographical location (worship in a church building), physical posture (kneeling or standing), or following a particular liturgy or external rituals (cf. );

true worship is not a matter of geographical location (worship in a church building), physical posture (kneeling or standing), or following a particular liturgy or external rituals (cf. ); it is a matter of the heart and of the Spirit (Talbert 1992: 115).55 As Stibbe (1993: 64) puts it, “True worship is paternal in focus (the Father), personal in origin (the Son), and pneumatic in character (the Spirit).”

it is a matter of the heart and of the Spirit (Talbert 1992: 115).55 As Stibbe (1993: 64) puts it, “True worship is paternal in focus (the Father), personal in origin (the Son), and pneumatic in character (the Spirit).”

- “The Father seeks people who will worship him in the Spirit and in accordance with the teaching of Jesus. This is a reminder that worship is not restricted to what we do when we come together in church, but about the way we relate to God through the Spirit and in accordance with the teaching of Jesus, and that touches the whole of life.”

“The evangelist is not defining the essence of God, but rather showing that God is of a different order to human beings, and therefore worship must be ‘in spirit and in truth’. To say this, reinforces Jesus’ words to Nicodemus—that to see/enter the kingdom of God one must be born of the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Only as people are born of the Spirit, only as they receive the gift of the Spirit, can they truly worship God who is spirit.”

The evangelist is not defining the essence of God, but rather showing that God is of a different order to human beings, and therefore worship must be ‘in spirit and in truth’. To say this, reinforces Jesus’ words to Nicodemus—that to see/enter the kingdom of God one must be born of the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Only as people are born of the Spirit, only as they receive the gift of the Spirit, can they truly worship God who is spirit.

Kruse, Colin G. John: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 4. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries

Kruse, Colin G. John: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 4. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.

Köstenberger, Andreas J. John. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004. Print. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.

Conclusion: The Power of Worship (27-30; 39-42)

-It will cause you leave and go tell it!

-