Worship In Spirit And In Truth
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on Worship
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
c. Worship is a matter of extreme importance
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
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
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
b. In true worship 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
1. The Bible brilliantly teaches us that God is to be the sole object of our worship
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)
c. We are to worship God “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
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