## In Spirit and In Truth #2

## John 4:20-24

Last week we began looking at the subject of 'True Worship'. We started by considering several common misconceptions about worship.

I. Common Misconceptions

A. Worship always takes place at Church

B. Worship is always an outward expression

C. The people on the platform should be the focus

D. The people in the pews are the audience

Tonight we want to continue our study and learn some important lessons concerning what 'True Worship' is all about.

II. Important Lessons To Learn About Worship.

A. Worship Is Always Active Never Passive.

Worship is not just a spiritual "warm fuzzy" feeling on Sunday morning. It is God's people actively responding to him.

1. In Gen.35:2 we read how worship caused Jacob and his family to put away their idols.

(Gen 35:2) "Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:"

2. In Ex.24:7, the people of Israel heard the Word of God and worshiped and committed themselves to obedience.

(Exo 24:7) "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient."

3. In 2 Chron.5:11-14 we read of how the priests led the people in a great worship celebration through music.

4. In Nehemiah 8, when the scribe read the Word before the people. Read: Neh 8:4-5

5. After the Word had been read to them an interpretation was given, and the people responded to the message.

Read: (Neh 8:8-9)

6. Worship is not a spectator sport; it is not something done to us or for us but by us!

7. Note the central theme in worship is God's Word!

a. We are called to be in obedience to His Word.

b. His Word is read and proclaimed in our worship.

c. This can be done through songs, testimony, and preaching.

d. But the Word of God is never something that is just tacked on at the end of a true worship service.

B. Worship Is To Be The Central Activity Of The Local Church.

1. From the beginning days of the church era until now, God's people have been a worshiping people.

Read: (Acts 2:46-47)

2. Paul told the believers at Ephesus to be "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph.5:19).

3. The ministry of the church is fourfold.

a. We have the ministries of WORSHIP

b. …the WORD

c. …our WITNESS

d. …and our WORK

4. Our problem is we often get them out of order; we often run around trying to work for God and fail to take time to worship God.

5. Remember Mary and Martha?

a. Martha was busy in WORK and Mary was intent on WORSHIP.

b. We don't need to be so "worried and troubled about many things" that we forget the most important thing.

C. Worship is the Source of Spiritual Renewal.

1. Worship is not necessarily music.

a. Sometimes the music does not draw me closer to the Lord.

b. Worship is not necessarily preaching, because sometimes the sermon doesn't draw me closer to the Lord.

c. Real worship is when my spirit adores the Lord and is refreshed in His presence.

2. Worship charges my spiritual batteries.

a. When the worship time is powerful, it is spiritually refreshing.

b. I don't have to speak, I don't have to plan the service, I can just worship.

c. True worship is wonderful and we need it to recharge us to do His will.

3. Worship is like a nutritious meal.

a. We need to be fed in order to maintain our spiritual health.

b. When we worship God in spirit and in truth, we are nourished by His Word and strengthened in His power for the work before us.

c. I can meet my trials in His power after worship.

(Acts 4:13) "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

d. When we have "been with Jesus" people will notice too.

D. Worship is the Greatest Investment We can Make.

1. We were designed for worship.

(Heb 13:15) "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

a. Worship happens both in heaven and on earth.

b. It is our eternal job description.

2. Worship Brings Healing to the Soul.

a. David said in the 23rd Psalm, "He restores my soul."

b. It's amazing how calm we become when we praise Him.

c. It's amazing how He speaks peace to our storms in the midst of worship.

3. Public Worship is either Enhanced or Hindered by our Private Worship.

a. If we come to the worship service and find it impossible to center our thoughts on God…

b. Chances are that we have not spent much time alone with the Lord throughout the week.

c. Remember the misconception that worship only takes place in the church service?

d. As our hearts are prepared by private worship, we can have a wonderful time worshiping the Lord together!

As we begin this summer, let's make it a summer of praise and worship. We can do it by making sure that we worship Him in 'Spirit and in Truth'. Some practical thoughts concerning being prepared to worship God:

1. Make sure we have personal relationship with Him.
2. Make sure that our relationship with Him is right (as well as with others).
3. Spend private time in His Word and worship Him before we come to church.
4. Be open and honest with God right now.