Worship In Spirit And In Truth

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By Tom Moore May 1,

2020

INTRODUCTION: Read John 4:24

A. The worship of God in Spirit and in truth is a matter of great
importance and great significance, as is clearly seen in God’s
word.
1. Jesus taught on worship (John 4:19-26)
2. Paul, on Mars Hill, preached on worship (Acts 17:22-31)
3. The second recorded controversy between God and man was
over worship (Gen. 4)
4. The word “worship” is found 119 times in the Bible
a. When God discusses something once it is important
b. How much more important is that which is mentioned so
frequently in God’s Holy Word
importancec. Worship is a matter of extreme

B. There needs to be more preaching and teaching on Christian

worship, because you look around and…
1. Many people, evidently, do not enjoy worship, because:
a. They are late in coming
b. They are early to leave
c. They seem bored
d. They don’t participate
2. Too many church services start at 11:00 dull – then the clock
strikes 12 noon and the church gives up her dead.
C. John 4:24 is the classic text on Christian worship, and an
analysis of this text reveals:
1. The absolute of Christian worship – must
2. The action of Christian worship – worship
3. The aim of Christian worship – Him
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 4. The attitude of Christian worship – spirit
5. The authority of Christian worship – truth

DISCUSSION: We must worship in spirit and in truth

A. ABSOLUTE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP – MUST
1. The word “must” is a modifier
a. The Bible teaches that:
1) Faith is a must (Heb. 11:6)
2) Baptism is a must (Mark 16:16)
3) Worship is a must (John 4:24)
b. We can no more omit the “must” in worship than we can
the “must” in baptism or faith
c. The word “must” is the strongest word in English
d. “Must” is heaven’s imperative – it is the Master’s
mandate
1) There is no choice in breathing – if you want to live
2) There is no choice in worshiping – that is, if you want
to live spiritually – it is a must
2. The word “must” modifies three elements which constitute
Christian worship
a. “Must” modifies the object of worship – Him
b. “Must” modifies the attitude of worship – spirit
c. “Must” modifies the standard of worship – truth
3. Thus, the object, the attitude, and the standard of Christian
worship are vital – they are a must!
B. ACTION OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP – WORSHIP
1. Webster defines “worship” as “courtesy or reverence to
worth; hence honor and respect. An act of paying divine
honors to deity; religious reverence or homage.”
2. The word “worship” is translated from several different
Greek words, three of which are used more than once:
a. PROSKUNEO
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 1) Occurs 60 times in the New Testament as is always
rendered worship – used in John 4:24
2) Thayer: “to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of
reverence – to fall upon the knees and touch the
ground with the forehead as an expression of
profound reverence”
b. SEBOMAI
1) Occurs 10 times in the New Testament
2) Definition: “To stand in awe; to venerate, to
reverence, to worship, to adore”
c. LATREUO
1) Occurs 21 times in the New Testament – translated 17
times as service and 4 times as worship
2) Definition: “To render religious service of homage; to
worship God in the observance of rites instituted for
worship”
3. From these word studies it is clear that true worship entails
participation
a. We must be participants – not spectators
true worshipb. In we are not the audience – God is!
c. Our aim, then, should be to please God
4. Some say, “I just don’t get anything out of worship”
a. This shows they have a false concept of worship
b. If you are not getting anything out of worship it is
because you are not putting enough into it
5. Mere attendance must never be equated with worship
a. Matthew 15:8
b. Worship is drawing nigh unto God – not the church
building
c. Isaiah 66:1-4 ? would not accept their worship
C. AIM OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP – HIM
object1. The Bible brilliantly teaches us that God is to be the
sole of our worship
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 a. Exodus 20:1-5
b. Matthew 4:9-10
2. Since God is the exclusive object of our worship, this would
exclude all else as an object of worship – e.g. angels, Pope,
etc.
3. Remember, in Christian worship God is the audience
D. ATTITUDE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP – SPIRIT
1. New Testament worship is spiritual
a. We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet. 2:5)
b. We are to draw nigh unto God with a true heart, in full
assurance of faith (Heb. 10:22)
c. Our worship is to be rendered with grace in our heart unto
the Lord (Col. 3:17; Eph. 5:19)
2. New Testament worship must come from the heart
a. “…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”
(Eph. 5:19)
b. “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16)
worship Godc. We are to “acceptably with reverence and
godly fear” (Heb. 12:28)
d. Matthew 15:7-9
3. Are we worshiping in spirit when we sing:
a. “I want to be a soul winner for Jesus” – and yet, never talk
to the lost about Jesus
b. “More about Jesus would I know” – and yet, seldom study
our Bibles
c. “All to Jesus I surrender” – and yet, give not as we have
prospered
4. How do we worship in spirit?
a. Prepare your heart – prayer, proper mind set, rest
b. Maintain a worshipful atmosphere
1) Psalm 89:7
2) Habakkuk 2:20
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 c. Cultivate a deep awareness of God
1) God is omnipresent (Pro. 15:3)
2) God is with us in a special sense in worship
d. Don’t let things become commonplace
e. Put your heart into it
f. Study Bible examples of worship
E. AUTHORITY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP – TRUTH
1. What is truth?? John 17:17
2. Colossians 3:17
3. 1 Peter 4:11
4. A worship not according to truth – Leviticus 10:1-2
5. God authorizes 5 items of worship:
a. Singing (1 Cor. 14:15);
b. Praying (Acts 2:42);
c. Preaching (Acts 20:7);
d. Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20-30);
e. Giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2)
6. All acts of worship must be carried out as God has
commanded

CONCLUSION: We must worship God in spirit and in

truth.
A. Worship should be the highlight of each week’s activity for the
Christian
B. Coming to worship should be top priority
C. Nothing should prevent us from worshiping acceptably

More…
Characteristics of a True Worshipper – In Spirit and in Truth

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