TRUE WORSHIP John 4:20-24

v20 “our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.

Mount GerizimJerusalem Debate centered around worship being tied to a particular “holy place”.

v20 “our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. v21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman a time is coming when you will worship neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

Worship in the New Jerusalem I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Rev 21:22

Worship services today-fast facts Historical (liturgical) or Contemporary (praise and worship). Differing emphasis- Holy Communion, sermon or theme. Free open worship or structured ordered worship. Influenced by church tradition, local cultures and personal preferences.

“Everything is permissible”-but not everything is beneficial.1 Cor 10:23a

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:16 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, Eph 5:19

v20 “our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.

vs

Corporate worship v9a After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. V10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” Rev 7:9-10

“You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation comes from the Jews”. V22 (The Samaritans rejected all the OT books except their version of the books of Moses. Some Samaritans could be sincere in their worship, but still sincerely wrong.)

A sincere Bean.

This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me. Matt 15:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

Sin as a barrier to worship “I hate, I despise your religious feats; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-falling stream!” Amos 5:21-24

V23 yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Mary’s Song And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46

Worshiping in spirit and truth Must be God centered. Enabled when your spirit is connected to the Holy Spirit. Conforming to the teachings of God’s word. Focused on the word made flesh- Jesus.

Worship as idolatry At this I (John) fell at his (the angel) feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10 I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets of all who keeps the words of this book. Worship God! Rev 22:9

Worshiping worship…or worshiping God?

When the music fades…..

Savior He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever Author of Salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave “Mighty to Save” Hillsongs ( Clawson/Rodney)

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

My sweet lord (hallelujah) Hm, my lord (hallelujah) My, my, my lord (hallelujah) I really want to know you (hallelujah) Really want to go with you (hallelujah) Really want to show you lord (hallelujah) That it wont take long, my lord (hallelujah)

Hm, my lord (hare krishna) My, my, my lord (hare krishna) oh, my sweet lord (krishna, krishna) Oh-uuh-uh (hare hare) George Harrison, “My sweet Lord” (1971)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:16

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. V1-3 Psalm 73

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. V1-3 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. V23-26 Psalm 73

“ When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.” (Horatio Spafford- “It is well with my soul”)

“Thankfulness depends on what is in your heart, not what is in your hand.” Pastor Rama, FBC Church, sms devotion 27/04/13.

Worship as prophecy At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10

Corporate worship will edify AND evangelize. But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming “God is really among you!” 1 Cor 14:24