"Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth"

  • Derek Staples
  • | Sep 8, 2008
  • | Series: Monday Morning Manna

"WORSHIPING GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH"

"Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
(John 4:20-24; ESV)

So much has been said about worship these days that I am somewhat hesitant to write yet another message on the subject. MacArthur devotes fourteen pages toward the end of "The Pillars of Christian Character" to simply remind believers that worship is not something believers can simply slip into their fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle of activity. "Worship is to be at the very heart and soul of all that we are as Christians." We are to be those who "worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:3) Therefore, a worshipping church is made up of worshipping people. Worship is not something we do! Worship must be at the very apex of our heart. Devotion to Christ most assuredly flows out of a worshipping heart.

I just finished reading Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life" by Don Whitney. He takes Paul's charge to Timothy: "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (I Tim. 4:7) and carefully lays out the disciplines that are necessary for the "Christlike" life. His chapter on worship is one of the best I have read in some time and I encourage you to digest every word. Don Whitney's book is a must read for every believer who is serious about going to the next level with Christ.

He reminds us that worship comes from the Saxon word "weorthscype", which later became worthship. Let me simply string together a few quotes on worship from Don. He says:

"To worship God is to ascribe the proper worth to God, to magnify His worthiness of praise, or to better approach and address God as He is worthy.""The more we focus on God, the more we understand and appreciate How worthy He is."

"Worship is the God-centered focus and response to the inner man; it is being preoccupied with God."

"To worship God is to worship from the inside out. We worship according to the truth of Scripture. We worship God as He is revealed in the Bible, not as we might want Him to be. We worship Him as a God of both mercy and justice, of love and wrath, a God who both welcomes into Heaven and condemns into hell. We are to worship in response to truth. If we don't, we worship in vain."

He concludes by asking,

"How is it possible to worship God publicly each week when we do not worship Him privately throughout the week? Can we expect the flames of our worship of God to burn brightly in public on the Lord's Day when they barely flicker for Him in secret on other days? Think of it: The Lord Jesus is willing to meet with you privately for as long as you want, and He is willing - even eager - to meet with you every day!"

Here are a few passages that may aide in your daily worship experience:

Romans 11:33-36
Romans 16: 25-27
Psalm 16:8
Psalm 86:11-12
Psalm 95-100

Just let go today. Just focus on Jesus. Just draw near to God with a sincere heart. Approach him humbly, reverently, and joyously celebrate His salvation of your soul. Ascribe to Him the worth that He is to you. Give Him your all! You will find that He is eager to meet with you all the day.


Until Next Week,

Dr. Derek