06AM May 28 John 4 23_24
May 28, 2006—Morning Worship
Proper Praise and Right Worship
Instructions for Worship
John 4:23-24
Intro: There’s a lot of controversy in the Church today over worship styles. What’s all the fuss about praise & worship? Should we sing hymns or choruses? Should we have organs & pianos or drums & guitars? Is it too loud? Everyone seems to have their own opinion about what the perfect formula for worship is. But most of the people who want to voice their opinion have usually had little or no exposure to different worship styles. They like what they like b/c we are creatures of habit. People like what’s familiar. You probably know of at least a few churches that were actually destroyed over controversies surrounding worship, & I can assure you that displeases the Lord!
I want to make it abundantly clear that I do not believe there is a perfect style of worship. If there was, you could turn to a particular book, chapter & verse in the Bible & find it. In all actuality, there are many different styles of worship found in the Bible, but they are all derived from our understanding of the text—it’s never spelled out for us—there is no “set pattern” or “order” to follow. That’s b/c the Bible is not culturally bound. The truths from Scripture apply to every culture in every age! & that includes worship!
But I do believe that each church is unique & that’s God’s design. The whole process of worship is to lead people to the point of hearing God’s word & experiencing His presence & power—& then to be changed by what God does.
So, are praise & worship really that important for the believer? Yes! & we can see that as we look at what Scripture has to say about this aspect of the Christian life. Let’s read together, John 4:23-24 as we consider the subject of proper praise and right worship.
Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well & tells her in…
John 4 23 But the hour is coming, & now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit & truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, & those who worship Him must worship in spirit & truth."
- Jesus gives instructions for worship in these vv. & those instructions are found, 1st of all, in…
1. The Implications made. (v. 23)
- As I studied this verse, I’ve discovered 4 implications Jesus made about worship.
- 1st on the list is that…
A. Some worship God under False pretenses. (“…when the true worshipers…”)
- Many people in that day came to “worship” b/c they were instructed to do so.
- They were just following the Law; just doing what God said—but it was all routine & ritual!
- Many people today “worship” on a regular basis but they never “connect” w/God!
- They simply go to church or some other building of their religious affiliation, & go through the motions of “worship.”
- But worship cannot take place under those conditions! If the heart of man is not set on God – God will not set Himself in the heart of man!
- If you have ever come into this church or any other, & just gone through the motions; totally devoid of any emotions for God, you committed false worship!
- & false worship is never pleasing to God; never touches the heart of God; never connects the person to God!
- The word “true” literally means “that which has the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect real, true & genuine as opposite to fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended.”
- Jesus said the time for true worship is now!
- & that leads us to the 2nd implication Jesus made about worship…
B. True worship is Internal. (“…in spirit…”)
- That does not mean that we cannot have a corporate or public worship service; but it means that even in a public worship setting—if true worship takes place, it is done individually from the heart or in spirit.
- Notice the Bible does not say “in THE spirit,” but simply, “in spirit.”
- The word “spirit” is spelled in v. 23 – w/a lower case “s.”
- That means it’s the spirit of man or the individual spirit w/in each person that is to worship God.
- Contrast that w/Ephesians 6 18a praying always w/all prayer & supplication in the Spirit….
- There the definite article, the word “the” is used & there the word “Spirit” is spelled w/a capital “S.”
- That means we are to be praying under the control of the Holy Spirit of God.
- But when we worship, we are not under the Holy Spirit’s control—instead, we are having a personal time of communion w/God Almighty in our own spirit!
- It doesn’t matter whether you are in a sanctuary filled w/people or by yourself anywhere in the world. You can worship God internally & individually!
- We do so b/c that’s the kind of relationship we have w/Him—it’s an individual relationship & it’s an internal relationship b/c He lives in all those who believe & trust in Him!
- So, just being in a “worship service” does not mean that you have worshiped!
- But notice also that Jesus made the implication that…
C. Worship is impossible apart from Truth. (“…& truth…”)
- It’s just a little 3 letter word, but it carries a great deal of authority b/c God placed it there in v. 23.
- It’s the word “and” which connects the human spirit w/the divine truth of God.
- True worship is impossible w/o both. True worship involves both. True worship is both in spirit & in truth.
- Did you know that you can worship God in the wrong way? People do it everyday!
- They assume they know what God requires & they go about making or fulfilling the rituals that can never bring them any closer to God!
- Unless & until we come before God as humble individuals seeking to know Him better through the truth of His word, we cannot truly worship God!
- Oh, we may satisfy ourselves & feel good about what we’ve done—but we cannot satisfy God or honor God or bring glory to God doing what’s right in our own eyes!
- The divine truth of God through the power of the Spirit of God brings you into communion w/God where you can experience His presence & power in life changing ways!
- Worship is not stained glass windows & pipe organs! Worship is not gray-haired pastors spouting 50 cent words they learned in seminary! Worship is not “high-church,” classical music!
- Worship is a matter of the joining of the human spirit w/the divine truth of God as it ushers the worshiper into the presence of God—that God may be glorified & the human edified.
- & in v.23, Jesus makes the implication that…
D. God is actively Seeking worshipers. (“…the Father is seeking…”)
- In reality, this is more than an implication—Jesus plainly states that, “the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
- IOW God is searching for people who will follow His Lordship, who will be obedient in worship.
- The Father is seeking those who have a hot heart for God – to do the will of God for the glory of God!
- God will not be pleased w/average worship. He has no delight in rituals or routines.
- God is not near half-hearted, unfocused, off-center worship that deals more w/the “felt needs” of man than it does w/the character & nature of God!
- God delights in worshipers who are whole-heartedly seeking Him! He delights in those who are focused on Him! He is pleased w/all those who are Christ-centered, Spirit-led, heavenly-minded & Biblically sound!
- The word “seeking” literally means, “to seek in order to find, to seek after, to strive for, to aim at, to require or demand.”
- IOW the Father demands that anyone who worships Him do so in spirit & in truth!
- He strives & seeks after & requires worshipers to be real, authentic, genuine followers.
- He is not looking for make-believe followers; He’s only interested in the real thing!
- & that word is in the present tense, which means that God is constantly seeking, constantly striving, constantly aiming at those whose hearts are genuinely toward Him!
2 Chronicles 16 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to & fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
- So, based on these implications of v. 23, we can better understand…
2. The Imperative given. (v. 24) 24 God is Spirit, & those who worship Him must worship in spirit & truth."
- Why are we to worship God? B/c…
A. God Commanded us to worship. (“…must…”)
- The word “must,” in v. 24, means that, “it is of necessity” that we worship God.
- It means that it is proper & right b/c He alone is worthy of worship.
- There is no other means acceptable to God for worship from human beings.
- We must worship Him in spirit & truth & that’s stated in the present tense & means we are constantly & consistently to be about worshiping our Creator.
- There is never a time or day, never a moment or situation in which we cannot worship.
- There should never be a time when we feel God is unapproachable, b/c, as believers, we know that God is always watching; always listening; always attentive to our needs!
- But much more than that, God is perfect in all His ways & works & is so worthy of worship!
- & it is required of man to worship b/c every knee shall bow & every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
- You see, we are commanded to worship b/c…
B. God Created us for worship. (Psalm 100; 150:6; Romans 15:11)
- The psalmist writes in…
Psalm 100 1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord w/gladness; Come before His presence w/singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, & not we ourselves; We are His people & the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates w/thanksgiving, & into His courts w/praise. Be thankful to Him, & bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, & His truth endures to all generations.
- We were created w/the purpose of glorifying our Creator! He made us & for that reason alone we can praise Him & worship Him!
Psalm 150 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
- Are you breathing? Praise the Lord! Why? B/c He’s the One who gave you that breath!
- He gives each breath & He gives each heart beat! He gives life – physical & eternal!
Romans 15 11 & again: "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"
- That means that EVERYBODY on earth, every living soul, is to praise the Lord & honor Him.
- The word “laud” is synonymous w/praise. & the v. says that everyone is to praise Him!
- But is there some other reason we are to express praise & worship to God? Could there be another purpose in worship?
- Yes! B/c over & over again in Scripture we find examples of the fact that…
C. God Changes us through worship. (Acts 9:3-6) 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, & suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, & heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5 & he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." 6 So he, trembling & astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise & go into the city, & you will be told what you must do."
- Jesus brought Saul to his knees w/a blindingly bright light from heaven. & He got Saul’s attention even more by speaking to him from heaven.
- But what was Saul’s reply? V. 5 "Who are You, Lord?"
- He didn’t know Jesus! He was lost & undone. Saul was not worshiping God in spirit & truth! He was a false worshiper.
- Saul had good intentions but when it comes to worship, good intentions are not enough!
- Then Jesus revealed Himself to Saul & after he knew who Jesus was Saul responded in v. 6 w/fear & trembling & said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
- That tells us that Saul was submitting to the Lord & willing to be obedient.
- Now I’d consider that a change wouldn’t you?
- Saul had been notorious for persecuting the church & now, through a worship experience where he encountered the Lord, Saul’s heart & life are changed!
- & God wants to do the same w/us! He wants to mold us & shape us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ!
- He wants to take you from where you are now & change you into what He knows is the very best you can be!
- But all that takes place in & through the act of true, heart-felt worship!
Conclusion: At all times we ought to be people of praise & worship, b/c our God is worthy & b/c we receive so much through worshiping God. Make worship your priority. Listen to the Lord’s imperative & follow the Lord’s leading.
Don’t just come to church—don’t just sit—don’t just sing—don’t just pay attention—but worship the only true, living God in your human spirit by the truth of His word & experience His presence & power to change you for your good & His glory!
Invitation: Seek the Lord while He may be found. Pour out your heart to Him & ask Him to lead you & change you as you worship Him.
God may have opened your eyes to your lost spiritual condition. If you see yourself as hopeless w/o Jesus & you believe Jesus is God who came in the flesh to pay your sin debt—would you come to Him today—in faith repenting of your sin?
Or maybe God has shed His light on your ineffective, false attempts at worship. Would you come today confessing that & become a true worshiper today?
As God leads you now, would you come?
Hymn 323 Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy