“TRUE AND RIGHT WORSHIP”

1. In this area there are a variety of religious groups.

2. Most of these groups extend to area residents and opportunity to worship with them.

3. For the most part, these groups worship differently. Which group is correct in its worship?

4. Does God accept and honor every type of worship?

I THE BIBLE HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT WORHHIP. ONE OF THE TEXTS THAT IS EXPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO A STUDY OF WORSHIP IS JN. 4.

A. The two verses I will be using from Jn. 4 are 23 & 24. John tells us that Jesus had entered

B. Into Samaria. He stopped at Jacob’s well, and He was tired. Desiring a drink, He asked a C. Samaritan woman for some water. This request created a discussion w/led to a conversation

D. About worship vs. 23-24 form part of this discussion READ.

E. There are several facts about worship in these two verses. We find, first of all, that the time for worship is NOW.

1. Jesus said that the “hour comes and NOW IS.” There are good people who save worship

2. For special times. Christmas, Easter, or perhaps Mother’s Day.

3. Jesus did not endorse this idea. Verse 23 teaches us that when the opportunity for worship

4. Comes. We contrast the Lord’s words with what some have said:

5. “I need to return to the church. One day I will be back.” If Jesus were to deal with someone

6. Like this, what, would He say? Now, not later is the time to return and worship.

F. As God’s people we need to remember the word “now”. Point # 2

G. Jesus said is verse 23 that there are “true worshippers. “ Why did Jesus add the word true?

H. Why didn’t He just say “worshippers are true?

1. James knew that not all worshippers are true.

2. In a little while we will discover how people can be false.

3. For now remember this point: Not everyone is a true worshipper.

4. Though in individual may faithfully attend a religious group.

5. And may sing, pray, give money, and even read the Bible.

6. This does not mean that that they are a true worshipper.

I. Point #3 Worship is to be directed to the FATHER.

J. 23b says that the Father seeks worshippers. God wants us to worship Him instead of a rock/cow

K. In our world there are those who worship objects. Jesus taught that this is wrong.

L. Worshipping an object makes us a false worshipper.

M. To be a true worshipper, the object of our worship must be right. Coupled with the right object

O. Of our worship must be right. Coupled with the right object is the right object is the right location

1. During my last trip to Russia I was taken inside a Mos. mosq.

2. If I understood the interpreter correctly, I was allowed to see what was considered to be

3. Holy Place. Throughout the world there are supposed holy places.

P. The Lord must have anticipated that people would build a holy place.

Q. JC told the Samaritan woman that holy places are coming to an end.

R. In Jn. 4:24 the Samaritan woman implied a question. She was trying to get Jesus to say where

S. Worship was to be done. READ. Jesus replied to what this woman was hinting at; v.21 READ

T. Jesus taught that worship was no longer going to be localized. Until this time, people had U. worshipped in Jerusalem & Mt. Gerazim. Jesus said, “This arrangement is ending.”

V. God is Spirit, v. 24. He can be worshipped anywhere.

1. What Jesus said is reflected in other parts of the NT. Christians worshipped in Jail – Acts. 16.

2. Christians held services in the temple, Acts 2:47. Sometime was spent worshiping in homes.

3. After many years passed, church buildings were built.

W. Jn. 4 shows that there are now no “holy places” on earth. There is no special place where people

X. can go find God. In fact, Acts 7:48 says READ.

II TRUE WORSHIPPERS ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO SPECIAL PLACE FOR GOD. TRUE WORSHIPPERS ARE ALSO THOSE WHO WORSHIP AS JESUS INSTRUCTED.

A. If you are looking at Jn. Look again at vs. 24. READ. If you learn nothing else from this lesson,

B. Please learn this. Verse 24 uses the word must. I checked the exegetical dictionary of the NT.

C. Here is what that work says concerning the word translation. “Must”

1. (This) designates the way given by God, to which there is “No Alternative”.

2. If we want to be a “true worshipper”. We must do it as God says “in spirit and in truth.

3. There is no other alternative/choice. If we do not worship as God has said—in Spirit & in 4. Truth. We are a false worshipper. If we do not worship 100% right, our worship is 100 % 5. Unacceptable. Right and wrong worship is serious business.

D. Think about what Jesus said in light of would some of us have heard. Having a piano/organ is no E. big deal; this is what some say. Can this be right in light of Jn. 4?

F. Remember, “Must” means that there is no alternative. God’s plan of worship does not allow for G. any kind of tolerance. This being the case, an organ/piano is MUST HAVE/MUST NOT HAVE.

H. If it is a MUST HAVE part of worship, worship was unaccepted with out it.

I. On the other hand, if this is not part of God’s plan, then we would prefer to die than to have an

J. Organ piano brought in. “Another example – women preachers”. That seems like a small thing.

1. Suppose a woman were a better speaker than available men.

2. Suppose a woman’s lessons were more thoughtful.

3. What would be wrong with hiring a woman to preach?

K. Jn: 4:24 READ

1. God says that worshippers must worship in “truth: This must be done

2. There is absolutely no other alternative. If we want God’s blessing, truth must govern

3. Our worship. Where does this truth come from? How do we get it?

4. The truth that is being described is not subjective. It is not established by a vote.

5. Hear what Jesus said a little later in the book of John, 17:17 READ

6. What is the truth? God’s word. Where can we go to get the truth? The Bible

7. How do we worship God in truth? Examine the scriptures. We find the pattern that God has 8. Given. When this pattern is found, we cling to it. We insist that people in and out of the 9. Church follows it. Following a pattern other that what is in the NT is not an option.

10. Women preachers are not part of the pattern.

L. In the world & even in the church some say, “I cannot accept that. That is just too hard to believe.”

M. Maybe this pill is hard to swallow; this is the truth. Allow me to direct your attention away from

N. John 4 for a moment. Keep this passage open and skip over the Col. 2.

0. Paul had to warn the Colossians about false teachers.

1. COL. 2:18 has a strong warning to these brethren “Let no man rob you of your prize.”

2. The salvation of these brethren was in jeopardy. One problem is found in vs. 19 READ.

3. These brethren were not holding fast to Christ. One of the areas they had slipped in was 4. Worship, Verse 23 READ. “Will-worship” means unbidden and forbidden worship

5. These brethren were not worshipping in truth. Since God must be worshipped in truth

6. “Get back on track”

P. God does not accept worship which is not according to the Bible. Allow me to offer another example. Matthew 15:8.

1. Matt. 15 tells of some Pharisees and Scribes who came from Jerusalem.

2. These religious leaders challenged the Lord. As Jesus responded to what was said,

3. This citation starts in verse 7 READ

Q. There were people who “honored God.” With their lips they offered worship.

R. Verse 9 says that this worship was in “vain” Here is an example of worshippers who were not true.

S. What made this worship false (vain)? 9b false doctrine. Teaching that was no in the Bible.

T. Will error invalidate worship? Absolutely. Worship must be one 100% right. Be close is U. unacceptable. Going back to John 4, let’s pick up the other thought. Verse 24 says READ again.

1) What is this “spirit”? This is a reference to one’s intellect, will, and mind.

2) An example of what is being described is in 1^st Cor. 11. The Corinthians were eating the 3) Lord’s Supper. This was “worshipping in truth...”

4) The Corinthian’s were not worshipping “in spirit.” Paul says that they were thinking about 5) themselves, they thought of worship as party time. Therefore they were condemned.

V. Worship in spirit means that when we come, we worship. We listen as best we can.

1) We participate as fully in the service as we can. We direct our minds towards spiritual matters.

2) If people come to worship to fulfill a social need, or come for fun and games.

3) They a re not worshipping in spirit. This sin makes one’s worship unacceptable.

W. There are members of church around the world who would have a fit if an organ was rolled in.

X. They have no problem idly coasting through services. Worshipping without spirit is as bad as

1.) Worshipping without truth we have got to offer both. “Must”

Y. As this relates to singing, we should be raising the roof. I do not sing well maybe this is a good thing. People have said, “find it hard to sing; poor voice.” Few sing worse than I do.

Z. To worship in spirit, I must sing out. This is an obligation that all of us have.

1) Are you worshipping as John 4 describes?