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.

13 Greek words translated in New Testament  “to honor” “to adore” “to respect” “to reverence”  “to submit to in love”  “to render religious service or homage” worth-ship worthy of worship Cain & Abel

Vain Worship “But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.” Mt.15:9 Nadab & Abihu - Leviticus 10 “worshipped and served the creature” Rom.1:25 “Their land also is full of idols, they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.” Isaiah 2:8 “to the unknown God” Acts 17:23

Wasted Worship

God is Object of Worship Acts 14:15 Rev. 22:8-9

God is Object of Worship Ps. 100:3 “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 18:3 “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

God is Object of Worship Psalms 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Acts 17:25 “Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;”

God is Object of Worship Why does God want us to worship Him ? Not for His good But for what it does for us ! “Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12:13

Place of Worship not Important John 4:20-24 Fathers worshiped in this mountain You say Jerusalem is the place True Worshippers = spirit and truth “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Worship Him in Spirit “Now, therefore, fear Jehovah and serve him in sincerity and in truth.” Joshua 24:14  Arrogant Worship  Hypocritical Worship  Pretentious Worship

“For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace” 1 Cor. 14:33 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40  Whispering / talking  Electronic devices  Being tardy “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;” Ecclesiastes 9:10

Worship Him in Truth Regulated by the Word of God Jn. 17:17 “thy word is truth” Col. 3:17 “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.” We must not “go beyond that which has been written” - 1 Corinthians 4:6

 The True God is worshiped by True Worshipers  Design of worship is not entertainment  It is to bring glory and honor to God

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning June 23, 2013