## Understanding Worship

## John 4:24

Every weekend, an estimated 100 million Americans will attend a church or synagogue, presumably because they think worship is important. What the weekly service does is to enable us to focus on God. When that happens, some wonderful things occur. Focusing on God provides perspective to face our problems; it uplifts and strengthens us for the coming week; it enables us to establish sound values and beliefs; it also draws seekers to Christ. If we are interested in enjoying such benefits, we need to understand what worship is and how God wants us to render it.

This section in John's Gospel is the most comprehensive passage in the entire New Testament on worship (the term appears 10 times in verses 19-23). Jesus begins to discuss with an outcast, immoral Samaritan woman the only worship that is acceptable to God. True worship! What is it? Do we do it? What can we do to make sure that we are truly worshiping God? In His discussion with this Samaritan woman, the Lord makes it clear that worship was and is an issue of the heart. Jesus said "true worshipers" worship the Father "in spirit and truth." He says that "the Father is seeking such to worship Him." He says that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

I. A Definition Of Worship

A. Root Meaning.

1. Our English word "worship" comes from "worth", which emphasizes the intrinsic worth of God

2. And "ship" coming from "shape", which means the shape or order of the worth being given to God.

B. Dictionary Meanings.

1. As a noun = reverence, devotion, intense love, admiration, indicating greatness of character, honor, and worthiness

2. As a verb = to adore, love, admire, esteem, honor, exalt, glorify, magnify, bow down in reverence

C. Biblical Terms.

1. About 15 different Hebrew and Greek words are translated "worship" in our Bibles.

2. The words convey meanings such as bow down, prostrate, esteem, serve, kiss, or venerate.

3. In worship, we are ascribing honor to God for His character and works.

II. Basic Principles About Worship

A. God Seeks Our Worship.

1. The area where Jesus and this woman talked was rich in tradition.

2. Abraham worshipped there did Jacob.

3. Now Jesus comes to this well in Samaria because the Father is seeking this woman to become a worshiper.

4. God is still seeking those who will become true worshipers.

5. One of the marks of true conversion is that the Lord has turned us into people who delight in worshipping Him.

Ps 95:6-7 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

B. God Cares About Our Worship.

1. "Ye worship ye know not what…"

2. Her worship was based on ignorance.

3. Like Muslims, the Samaritans only accepted the Books of Moses.

4. They rejected the writings of the prophets, which revealed the coming of Messiah.

5. They worshipped in spirit (with sincerity) but not in truth.

6. There are many who are sincere in their worship today…but they are sincerely wrong!

7. Their worship isn't in Truth!

8. Pilate asked, "What is truth?" but Jesus had previously explained to Thomas.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

C. God Teaches Us To Worship.

1. He taught Adam and his family about the importance of the blood sacrifice.

2. He demonstrated it in the lives of His people as He delivered them from bondage in Egypt

3. He incorporated within the Law of Moses the importance of this blood sacrifice.

4. Through further revelation of God's Word, we understand that every sacrifice offered, whether on the altars of old, within the tabernacle, or as a part of temple worship was a type and picture of the ultimate sacrifice that He would make in giving His Son, Jesus to die on Calvary!

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

5. Our worship is not subjective…what I think God wants.

6. Our worship should not be traditional…what has always been done.

7. Our worship should not be selfish…what makes me feel fulfilled.

8. Our worship should seek to please God!

Joh 4:23 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.

What about our worship today? Do we come before God in 'Spirit and in Truth'? Do we approach Him on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ? There is no other way to come to Him.

When we worship God in Spirit and in Truth, some wonderful things happen.

- It provides perspective to face our problems
- It uplifts and strengthens us for the coming week
- It enables us to establish sound values and beliefs
- It also draws others to Christ.

Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.