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INTRODUCTION
Think about a worship service that was truly meaningful to you? What happened? A time when the
music moved you, or a preacher’s message convicted you. For me: Communion, Baptisms,
when I am lead to kneel or raise hands.
The great subject of worship - the primary purpose of the church and every believer - a
meeting with God, declaring His great worth to us.
Context is the story of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman.
TEXT John 4:21-26. TITLE. Last week: What is Worship.
2. Where to Worship? 4:20-21
- The woman was concerned about the right place for worship. Jesus will go deeper than
that. But where is a good place to start to learn worship.
- Jews = where was Temple in Jerusalem, only place determined by God.
- Samaritans = where was Mount Gerizim, the Mount of Blessing from Deut. 11, located
near where Abraham built his first altar. North of Jerusalem 30 miles. This was one of
the constant sore spots in the relationship with Jews.
- So in Jesus’ day there were two different places. Which is right? Where is the
place of God? But Jesus says vs. 20-21
- Jesus affirmed the correct place has been Jerusalem, for Jewish people were the source
of salvation - provided the Scriptures, and the Messiah. Up to that point, even if the
woman had the right heart, she worshipped in the wrong place. However, the place
really is irrelevant.
- But because Jesus is the Messiah, and our relationship with God moves to a personal
level “spirit and truth” rather than at a place. History records that the
temple was destroyed in 70 AD, confirming Jesus words.
- Otherwise we have to travel to Jerusalem, or some other holy spot. Long time the Holy
Land was - Wheaton, IL, now become Colorado Springs, CO. CBA is Longmont, CO. Southern
Baptists - Nashville.
- God resides in our bodies, we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
He doesn’t dwell in buildings. We are the where of worship. Anywhere God’s
people are - where you are - you can worship.
- We could go to a different building and still worship. You could sit in a different
pew, or travel around the world to meet other believers. I have been connected with 8
churches - able worshipped at all of them. Learned the Appleton Baptist Church is
closed now - people can worship elsewhere.
- Worship is not about a place. Worship is about a Person.
3. Who to Worship 4:21, 23, 24
- We are not to worship just any god, but a specific God, described as:
- “the Father” vs. 21,23
- most often used title of God by Jesus - 70 x’s in N.T.
- “the Father” reference to God’s position in Trinity.
- God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 1:3
- The only way to the Father is through Jesus John 14:6
- “Spirit” v. 24
- Num. 23:19, “God is not a man” God cannot be
experienced by any of our senses, or represented in any form.
- God is above the material world, His nature is beyond our
comprehension. He lives in Twilight Zone/Spiritual Realm.
- As we worship, we must worship God the Father and the Spirit through Jesus Christ -
Trinitarian Worship. Thus only Christian worship is the only true worship, all else is
false.
- We sang “Holy, Holy” written by a pioneer in contemporary music - Jimmy
Owens in 1972. “Holy, Holy, Holy” written in early 1800’s in
England by a High Church Anglican minister. Both songs are Trinitarian. Both are
moving songs - one in its serenity, and the other in its majesty.
- “An active response to God, where we declare His great worth to us.”
4. When to Worship 4:23
- Worship “now is” Since Jesus came, there is no set place or no
set time, “now is”. Worship is three dimensional:
- Upward - Worship by Praising God Heb. 13:15
- Inward - Worship by obedience to God Romans 12:1,2
- Outward - Worship by our witness of God Romans 15:16
- Worship is a lifestyle. It is not just Sunday morning at 10:30, but what starts on
Sunday Morning should move us through the week, for more.
- This time is essential, but if we don’t worship the rest of the week personally,
with others, by our life and witness, this becomes meaningless ritual. Worship God in
your life-anytime and any place beginning “now”
- Daily Bible, prayer, music - sometimes I stop my work in the office to worship with a
song, or sing along in car - Michael W Smith, “When I Survey the Wonderous
Cross”. How about you? Anything move you?
CONCLUSION
We must worship - now our Triune God. Next week how/why of worship.
“Worship is the cornerstone of a believer’s life. The bedrock of a local church is
its worship service, and all aspects of the church’s ministry are founded there. It is
only as a Christian truly worships that he begins to grow spiritually. Learning to worship and
praise God, then, should be a believer’s lifetime pursuit. Our worship reflects the
depth of our relationship with God. We must learn to worship God not only for what He is doing
in our personal lives, but above all for who He is.” (Kenneth Osbeck, Amazing Grace, 270)
How important is worship to you? Do you need to be here?
Do you see the connection between how you worship on Sunday and how you obey the rest of the
week?
Do you seek to worship every day?
Invitation - pray God will make you conscience of opportunities for worship.
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