John 04:20-26 The Meaning of Worship

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Text: John 4:20-26

Introduction

To worship is:

• To quicken the conscience by the holiness of God.
• To feed the mind with the truth of God.
• To purge the imagination with the beauty of God.
• To open the heart to the love of God.
• To devote the will to the purpose of God.

I. It’s important for us to understand what the Bible means when “worship” is used.

II. Worship is a fundamental Bible concept and is absolutely essential to a right relationship with God.

A. In the O.T., worship meant “to bow down, to bow down before God, to worship, to pay adoration, even without prostration.”

B. In the N.T., worship means “to kiss toward, an act of homage or reverence.”

III. Worship is a very important part of our existence – Ecclesiastes 12:13

A. Gordon Dahl, “Most middle class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play, and to play at their worship. As a result, their meanings and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair and their lifestyles resemble a cast of characters in search of a plot.”

IV. This evening we will focus upon the Art of Worship, the Attitude of Worship and the Acts of worship.

 

Body

I. THE ART OF WORSHIP.

A. Worshiping God is an art.

1. Webster says worship is, “Skill acquired by experience, studying, or observation.”

2. Worship demands skill.  Skill comes from study and experience – John 4:24

B. Worshiping God requires knowledge.

1. We must know the truth to properly worship God – John 4:24

a. The truth came unto men by Jesus Christ John 1:17; 14:6

b. The truth is found in God’s word – John 8:32; 17:17

c. The truth was given by Spirit-guided men.

(1) They orally proclaimed the truth – John 16:13

(2) They wrote the truth – 1 Corinthians 14:37

2. We must know God to properly worship Him – John 4:24; Hebrews 8:11

a. We know God through nature – Romans 1:20

b. We know God through revelation – Acts 17:23

c. We know God through Jesus Christ – John 1:18

3. We must have biblical knowledge or our worship will be rejected.

a. Some have worshiped in vain – Matthew 15:8-9

b. Some have been guilty of will-worship – Colossians 2:23

c. Some have been in ignorance – Acts 17:23

C. Worshiping God properly is rewarding.

1. Worship is for God’s glory – Psalm 29:2

2. Worship is for man’s good – Hebrews 10:19-20

a. It allows us to draw near to God – Hebrews 10:22

b. It reinforces faith – Hebrews 10:23

(1) Worship reminds us of God’s reality.

(2) Worship reminds us of God’s power.

c. It provokes Christian living – Hebrews 10:24-25

d. It protects our souls – Hebrews 10:26-31

(1) We must not be sinners; we must be worshipers.

II. THE ATTITUDE OF WORSHIP.

A. We must worship God rationally and sincerely.

1. There is a difference between form and faith.

a. The Pharisees were strong advocates of tradition.

b. But worship must be of faith – Romans 10:17

2. There is a difference between show and sincerity.

a. Some want to be seen of men.

(1) In giving – Matthew 6

(2) In praying – Matthew 6

b. We must come to worship with sincere hearts – Psalm 51:16-17

(1) To the Pharisees, worship was a ritualistic ceremony.

3. There is a difference between hypocrisy and holiness.

a. Jesus called some worshipers “hypocrites” – Matthew 15:7

(1) The word “hypocrite” originally meant a play actor.

b. God wants holy worshipers who are genuine – 1 Chronicles 16:29

B. We must worship God spiritually.

1. From Isaiah 6, we see 4 things needed for spiritual worship.

a. An insight into God’s majesty – Isaiah 6:1-4

(1) Song – Holy, Holy, Holy.

b. An awareness of the sinfulness of man – Isaiah 6:5

c. A sense of cleansing – Isaiah 6:6-7

d. A preparation for service – Isaiah 6:8-10

(1) There is a correlation in worship and service.

C. We must worship God enthusiastically.

1. The Bible teaches God’s people to:

a. Go gladly – Psalm 122:1

b. Worship reverently – Psalm 95:6

c. Pray earnestly – James 5:16

d. Sing joyfully – Psalm 95:1-2

e. Give freely – Matthew 10:8

f. Listen attentively – James 1:19

g. Act unitedly – Psalm 133:1

h. Live peacefully – Numbers 6:24-26

i. Do dutifully – James 1:22

III. THE ACTS OF WORSHIP.

A. Worship consists of acts – Matthew 2:1-2

1. A concise definition of worship is found in a footnote to Matthew 2:1-2

a. “The Greek word denotes an act of reverence whether paid to a creature or to the Creator.”

b. Worship is not just a feeling, mood, or attitude.

c. Worship has always been an overt act from the heart – Genesis 22:5; 2 Samuel 12:20; Acts 24:11

B. Worship on the Lord’s day consists of 5 acts of worship.

1. Singing is worship to God – Ephesians5:19

2. Praying is worship to God – Acts 2:42; John 14:13-14

3. Giving is worship to God – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

4. Lord’s Supper is worship to God – Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 20:7

5. Preaching or teaching is worship to God – 2 Timothy 4:1-4

C. Worship is on the Lord’s Day, and not Saturday.

1. The purpose of the Sabbath has been accomplished.

2. The Law of the Sabbath has been abolished.

3. The power of the Lord’s Day has arrived.

a. Christ was raised from the dead.

b. Christ appeared to His apostles.

c. Holy Spirit came.

d. Church began.

e. Disciples gave.

f. Church came together to break bread.

 

Conclusion

I. We have explored the art, the attitude, and the acts of worship.

A. We have seen that we need to offer acceptable worship.

II. To offer acceptable worship, we need to be acceptable worshipers.

A. Become a Christian – Psalm 95:6-7