John 4:19-26 – 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming – the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” (New Living Translation)

Why Is This Intersection so Dangerous?

Fear . . .

▸ The fear of losing __________________

▸ The fear of offending __________________

▸ The fear of __________________

The Heart of Worship

❏ Worship is not about a particular _______________

John 4:24 – For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (New Living Translation)

❏ Worship isn’t about a particular __________________

John 4:21 – Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. (New Living Translation)

❏ Worship isn’t about a particular __________________

John 4:19-20, 23 – 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” . . . 23 [Jesus said,] “But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” . . . (New Living Translation)

❏ Worship isn’t about a particular _____________________

John 4:25-26 – 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming – the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” (New Living Translation)

Worship cannot . . .

(1) Be manufactured through manipulation, certain programs, or specific styles

(2) Be assumed just because Christians gather together

Worship will . . .

(1) Change people’s perspective about God, themselves, others, and their circumstances

(2) Create an even deeper hunger and thirst for God – real worship will not result in us getting more of God, but in God getting more of us

(3) Worship is being aware of the presence, the person, and the character of God

John 4:23 – . . . The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. (New Living Translation)

Revelation 4:1 – After this, I looked and saw a door that opened into heaven. Then the voice that had spoken to me at first and that sounded like a trumpet said, “Come up here! . . .” (Contemporary English Version)