TRUE WORSHIP

A. "YE WORSHIP YE KNOW NOT WHAT: WE KNOW WHAT WE WORSHIP: FOR SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS. BUT THE HOUR COMETH AND NOW IS, WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH." - John 4:22, 23
  1. With these words the Lord Jesus Christ brings into sharp focus one of the fundamental truths of the Bible:
    1. It is noteworthy that this central truth about worship was made to a Samaritan, hated by the Jews.
    2. It indicates clearly that God is not a respecter of persons - Acts 10:34, 35
    3. It reaffirms a great truth that before God all sinners stand on the same platform.
      1. Light and truth are made available to all - Rev. 22:17
      2. For they are God's agents to lead us back to Himself - John 8:31, 32; 17:17
  2. This is an important fact to keep in mind as we study True Worship:
    1. To which truth is the very foundation - 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 Cor. 3:10, 11
    2. The scriptures are the divine source of truth - 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:16-20
B. TRUE WORSHIP
  1. Worship:
    1. Webster defines worship as "an act of paying divine honor to a deity; religious reverence and homage."
    2. The root meaning of the word `worship' is prostration, one prostrating himself in the attitude of prayer and adoration.
  2. Three basic facts entering into worship:
    1. It reveals man's need to acknowledge and have connection with a higher power.
    2. It is, also, an acknowledgement by man that he has sinned, and therefore seeks peace of heart through the act of worship.
    3. It may also be an acknowledgement that there is a life hereafter. These related facts give, to my understanding, expression to the common concept of worship.
  3. The foundation of true worship:
    1. The first and great essential of true worship is an honest appreciation of God's character - Ps. 99:3; 111:9
    2. This foundation centers in the Bible, the Word of God - John 17:17; Dan. 10:21; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
    3. Christ, the Son of God, came into this world to guide us in worshipping the true God.
    4. God is a Spirit. With this statement our Lord sets us free from all false notions about God. He is a personal Being, as revealed in the Bible - Gen. 1:26, 27; Ex. 33:22, 23; Num. 12:8
C. NATURE OF TRUE WORSHIP
  1. The nature and character of God necessitate a similar nature or character by the worshipper:
    1. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
    2. Purity of heart is dependent upon knowing and obeying the truth - Matt. 22:29; 1 Pet. 1:22; John 5:39; 8:32
    3. Spirituality and truth are inseparable; one is the result of the other. He who is truly spiritual lives by the word of truth - Rom. 7:14; John 6:63; 2 Tim. 3:16
  2. True worship is based upon pure and sanctified affections for God: EXAMPLES -
    1. Christ is our greatest example - Matt. 3:17; John 12:28
    2. Solomon, in his early childhood, is a true example of true worship - 1 Ki. 3:5-15; 8:10, 11
    3. Abraham, too, is a worthy example - Gen. 22:1-12
    4. Jacob is still another example - Gen. 28:1-15
  3. Blessings of true worship:
    1. God seeks such to worship Him - Acts 13:22; Gen. 12:1-6; Acts 8:26-39
    2. God will give them access to His council - Gen. 18:17
    3. He will receive them into glory - Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5; Rev. 14:1-5


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