Scripture:
John 4:19-25 NIV [19] “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. [20] Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” [21] “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” [25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Sermon
Text
John 4:23 NIV Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV says And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
So, faith is absolutely foundational to worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Faith is the vital link that enables us to move beyond superficial expressions of religion to a deep, authentic, and truthful encounter with God. It provides the conviction and trust necessary to engage with Him spiritually and to align our lives with the truth of who He is. Without faith, our worship risks becoming empty ritualism, or tradition, or based on flawed understandings.
Think of it like this: faith is the soil in which true worship grows. It provides the necessary nutrients and stability for our spiritual connection with God to flourish in both spirit and in truth. Jesus said in;
John 15:5-8 NIV [5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. [7] If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Today, we are going to explore the powerful call to worship our God. In the scripture that James read we see the words of our Lord Jesus himself in John 4:24, when He declares: "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in the Spirit and in truth."
Worship of God is, at its core, the act of respectful devotion, love, honor, and obedience offered to God, acknowledging His supreme worth, power, and perfection.
Jesus when asked what the greatest commandment is replied
Matthew 22:37-38 NIV [37] …“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment.
Worship of God is a response of our whole being – heart, soul, mind, and strength – to who God is and what He has done.
True worship isn't just an emotional feeling; it's a conscious recognition of God's holiness and a reverent response to His presence.
Worship is all the time, not just Sunday at church. Church is not the only or even the primary place where worship occurs.
Listen to this:
Romans 12:1 NIV [1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
We as Christians, as believers, are called to "present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, as our spiritual worship.
This means that our entire lives – our actions, our thoughts, our attitudes – can and should be acts of worship. Living a life of constant worship involves cultivating an awareness of God's presence in every moment. It's about living in a way that reflects His character and brings Him honor in all circumstances.
Think of a church worship service as a spiritual training ground and a joyful gathering that inspires how we express worship individually each day. A Sunday church service is a time for united worship and receiving spiritual sustenance, which equips us for a life of continuous worship.
True worship is less about a scheduled event and more about a constant heart attitude and a way of life that affirms God's sovereignty and seeks to bring Him glory in everything we do.
The call to worship in spirit and truth is more than a suggestion; it's a foundational truth for how we are to come before God Almighty.
First, "God is spirit."
This means that God is beyond all physical limitations. He is not bound by a statue, an image, a picture, or even the walls of this very building. While these physical things can serve as aids to our devotion, they are not God Himself.
God is omnipresent which means that God is present everywhere at the same time. It means that His entire being, power, and knowledge are fully present everywhere at the same time. There is no place in existence, seen or unseen, where God is not. You can’t go anywhere to escape His presence.
Psalms 139:7-10 NIV [7] Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? [8] If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. [9] If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, [10] even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Think of it like this: While you can only be in one physical place at a time, God's presence is not limited by space or time. He is intimately involved with all of His creation, always and everywhere.
Jeremiah 23:24 NIV Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
Consider the limitations of our human understanding. Can a painting truly capture the infinite majesty and glory of the Almighty? Can a sculpture encompass the boundless nature of our Creator? No, because God is spirit. He exists beyond the material realm. To attempt to confine Him within a physical representation is to fundamentally misunderstand His very being. That is idolatry. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims in,
Isaiah 40:25-26 NIV [25] “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. [26] Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
The understanding of God as Spirit has crucial implications for how we worship. Because God is spirit, our worship must also be "in the Spirit." This means that our worship must come from the deepest part of our being—our hearts, our souls. It's not about going through empty motions, reciting memorized prayers without engagement, bowing or raising our hands in front of a statue or painting or charm or necklace of some kind or adhering to traditions purely for tradition's sake. True worship is an authentic, heartfelt connection with God’s Spirit through our own spirit.
Think of the many times you've earnestly searched for understanding in scripture, poured out your heart in prayer for guidance and peace, or wrestled with heavy questions about the nature of God. These acts, when undertaken with a sincere and contrite heart, are profound expressions of worship in the Spirit.
In Psalms 51:16-17 NIV David writes[16] You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. [17] My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Worship a personal communion with God, where we pour out our love, our adoration, our gratitude, and our deepest struggles to the One who understands us completely and intimately.
Back to Psalm 139 for a minute;
Psalms 139:1-6 NIV [1] You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. [2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. [5] You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
God is Spirit so Jesus says we must worship Him in Spirit then Jesus says that we must worship God in "truth too." According to Jesus worshipping in truth is just as vital as worshipping in the Spirit.
What does our text say? “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
To worship God in truth means that our worship must be grounded in a genuine and accurate understanding of who God is, as revealed in His authoritative Word, the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV reminds us [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Our worship cannot be rooted in lies, misunderstandings, or traditions that contradict God’s revealed truth. We must diligently strive to know God through His scriptures, to understand His character, His attributes, His perfect will for our lives.
Psalms 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Diligent searches for biblical understanding, in scripture demonstrate a commendable desire to worship God in truth.
Worshipping in truth also requires that we be honest with ourselves and with God. It means humbly acknowledging our sins, our shortcomings, and our desperate need for His grace and forgiveness.
1 John 1:9-10 NIV [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Worshipping in truth means striving to live a life that consistently reflects the truth we say that we believe. Our actions, our words, and our thoughts should align with the transformative truth of the Gospel.
James 1:22-25 NIV [22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. [23] Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror [24] and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. [25] But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Consider the searches you've conducted on topics like sin, forgiveness, and the life and teachings of Jesus. These searches reflect a desire to understand and live according to God's truth, which is absolutely essential for authentic worship.
So, how do we put these principles into practice? How do we truly worship God in spirit and in truth in our daily lives?
First, cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God. Engage in sincere prayer, not merely reciting words, but truly communicating with God from the depths of your heart.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Seek to understand His Word, the Bible, through consistent reading, diligent study, and meditation.
Here’s what God told Josuah before he led the Isrealites into the Promise Land as the successor to the geaat leader Moses,
Joshua 1:7-8 NIV [7] “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. [8] Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
So first cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God then second, be honest with yourself and with God. Humbly acknowledge your sins and seek His abundant forgiveness.
Psalms 32:5 NIV Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Strive to live a life that is pleasing to Him, reflecting His love, justice, and truth in all your interactions with others.
Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
First cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God, second, be honest with yourself and with God, third, remember that worship is not confined to a specific place or time. Gathering together as a church community is vital and encouraged for corporate worship and fellowship.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
But while we are encouraged to come together our entire lives should be an ongoing act of worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV [1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Now this isn’t about denying ourselves, but rather about living a life completely yielded to God. No matter if we're at home, at our jobs, within our communities, or engaging online, our worship of God can be expressed through what we say, what we do, how we approach things, and our underlying intentions. Every part of who we are can be dedicated to Him.
Finally, let us never forget the powerful words of Jesus: "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in the Spirit and in truth." Let our worship be authentic, sincere, and deeply rooted in a true and expanding grasp of God's character, as shown to us in His inerrant Word. Let us not be swayed by mere outward appearances, physical objects, or empty traditions, but rather, let us come close to God with everything we are, worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth!.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father thank You for the powerful truth we have explored today – that You are Spirit, and You seek worshipers who will worship You in Spirit and in truth.
Lord, we confess that our worship can sometimes become routine, focused on external actions rather than the posture of our hearts. Forgive us when we have offered You less than our authentic selves.
We pray now for Your Holy Spirit to empower us to worship You with sincerity, passion, and a genuine connection to Your presence. Help us to quiet the distractions of the world and tune our hearts to Yours.
Grant us also, Father, a deeper love and understanding of Your truth, as revealed in Your Word and in Your Son, Jesus Christ. May our worship be grounded in who You truly are, not in our own feelings or shifting understanding.
Lord, we pray that this true worship – in Spirit and in truth – would not end when we leave this place. Transform our minds, our hearts, our words, and our actions. May the way we live each day be a living, breathing act of worship to You.
Help us to carry the reality of Your omnipresence and omniscience with us, living in constant awareness of Your nearness and Your perfect knowledge.
May our homes, our workplaces, our schools, and our communities become places where Your name is honored through our transformed lives. Use us, Lord, as vessels of Your love and truth in the world.
We surrender our lives to You, Father, as our truest act of worship. May everything we do bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray.
Amen.
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