Worship in Spirit & in Truth

All people worship something Cornelius tried to worship Peter (Acts 10:26) John tried to worship an angel (Rev. 22:8)

Worship can be: Vain (Mt. 15:9) Ignorant (Acts 17:23) Will worship (Col. 2:23) True worship (Jn. 4:24)

Jn. 4:23-24 [23] But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

I. God is the object of worship

Man is made in the image of God Gen. 1:26 God has no physical qualities – except in a figurative sense (eyes, hands, arms) Man is made in the image of God Gen. 1:26 [26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

There is a point of contact between God – who is a Spirit – and man who spiritually is made in the image of God

“In worship the heart of God’s people is attuned to him, seeks after him, feels after God (Acts 17:27).” (William Woodson)

Acts 17:27 [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Mt. 4:10 [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

We do not worship: Angels Man Departed loved ones Money Family Pope Job or Profession, etc.

REMEMBER – In Christian worship God is the audience

II. In Spirit --- the attitude of worship

We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices – 1 Pet. 2:5 [5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

We are to draw near to God – Heb. 10:22 [22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

We are to worship with grace in our hearts Col. 3:16 [16] 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.

N.T. worship must come from the heart - Eph. 5:19 [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Worship with reverence & godly fear – Heb. 12:28 [28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

A warning – Mt. 15:7-9 [7] Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, [8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

[9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

How do we worship in spirit? Prepare your heart by: prayer –proper frame of mind – rest – meditation Maintain a worshipful atmosphere

Ps. 89:7 [7] God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Hab. 2:20 [20] But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

How do we worship in spirit? Cultivate a deep awareness of God Don’t let things become commonplace Put your heart into it Study Bible examples of worship

III. In Truth – The authority of Christian worship

Don’t be deceived – God has given us a pattern for worship! Jn. 4:24 teaches that worship must be “in truth” What is truth?

The answer is found in Jn. 17:17 [17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Col. 3:17 [17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

God authorizes 5 items of worship: 1. Singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) 2. Prayer (Eph. 6:18; Js. 5:16) 3. Preaching/teaching – study of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15) 4. Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:26) 5. Giving (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6,7)

All acts of worship must be carried out as God has commanded!

Conclusion Worship should be the highlight of each week’s activity for the Christian Coming to worship should be a top priority Nothing should prevent us from worshiping acceptably