THE ESSENCE OF TRUE WORSHIP  The Jews worshiped in truth, but not in spirit; they were

light without heat.

0. INTRODUCTION THE ESSENCE OF TRUE WORSHIP
A. In John 4:20-24, Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the
well where He gave the most important and clearest teaching 0. INTRODUCTION
on worship that is found in the entire New Testament. A. In John 4:20-24, Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the
B. The idea of worship obviously dominates the passage as the well where He gave the most important and clearest teaching
word “worship” or one of its derivatives is mentioned ten on worship that is found in the entire New Testament.
times. B. The idea of worship obviously dominates the passage as the
word “worship” or one of its derivatives is mentioned ten
I. THE PLACE OF WORSHIP (John 4:21) times.
A. The Samarian woman asked Jesus where the correct place to
worship God was: Was it on Mount Gerizim or at the temple I. THE PLACE OF WORSHIP (John 4:21)
in Jerusalem? D. The Samarian woman asked Jesus where the correct place to
B. Jesus’ answer tells us much about where God should be worship God was: Was it on Mount Gerizim or at the temple
worshiped today: Worship is no longer an activity confined to in Jerusalem?
a particular place. E. Jesus’ answer tells us much about where God should be
 The temple in Jerusalem was about to become obsolete worshiped today: Worship is no longer an activity confined to
since the upcoming death of Christ was going to usher in a particular place.
a new era of true worship.  The temple in Jerusalem was about to become obsolete
o God terminated the old way of worship by since the upcoming death of Christ was going to usher in
tearing the veil in two. (Matt. 27:51) a new era of true worship.
o The Holy of Holies was exposed allowing o God terminated the old way of worship by
access by all. (Heb. 10:19-22) tearing the veil in two. (Matt. 27:51)
 Any believer can worship God anywhere and at any time; o The Holy of Holies was exposed allowing
we are living temples. (1 Cor. 6:19) access by all. (Heb. 10:19-22)
 Every believer is now a priest with direct access to God.  Any believer can worship God anywhere and at any time;
(James 4:8a) we are living temples. (1 Cor. 6:19)
C. It is important to note that being a living temple does not rule  Every believer is now a priest with direct access to God.
out congregational worship. (James 4:8a)
 Each individual believer may be a living temple, but each F. It is important to note that being a living temple does not rule
collective community of saints is also a temple. (Eph. out congregational worship.
2:19-22; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Pet. 2:5)  Each individual believer may be a living temple, but each
 As living temples we may be able to worship God collective community of saints is also a temple. (Eph.
wherever we are, but we will never be able to worship 2:19-22; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Pet. 2:5)
Him as well as when we worship Him with other believers.  As living temples we may be able to worship God
(Heb. 10:24-25) wherever we are, but we will never be able to worship
Him as well as when we worship Him with other believers.
II. THE FOCUS OF WORSHIP (John 4:21-24a) (Heb. 10:24-25)
A. We are to worship God the Father. (John 4:23)
 Three times Jesus spoke of worshiping “the Father” II. THE FOCUS OF WORSHIP (John 4:21-24a)
(once in vs. 21 and twice in vs. 23). C. We are to worship God the Father. (John 4:23)
 “Father” was Jesus’ favorite title for God; He referred to  Three times Jesus spoke of worshiping “the Father”
God as “Father” about 70 times. (once in vs. 21 and twice in vs. 23).
 When Jesus told the woman at the well to worship the  “Father” was Jesus’ favorite title for God; He referred to
Father, He was saying that she was to worship the Father God as “Father” about 70 times.
of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3;  When Jesus told the woman at the well to worship the
1 Pet. 1:3) Father, He was saying that she was to worship the Father
 Those who say they worship God, but who deny Jesus of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3;
Christ is God, are offering God unacceptable worship. 1 Pet. 1:3)
 Anyone who denies the deity of Jesus Christ is  Those who say they worship God, but who deny Jesus
worshiping a different god than the God of the Bible; they Christ is God, are offering God unacceptable worship.
are not true worshipers of God, no matter how sincere  Anyone who denies the deity of Jesus Christ is
they are. (John 14:6) worshiping a different god than the God of the Bible; they
 Worship of the Father cannot be separated from worship are not true worshipers of God, no matter how sincere
of the Son. (John 17:21-22) they are. (John 14:6)
B. We are to worship God the Spirit. (John 4:24a)  Worship of the Father cannot be separated from worship
 God is Spirit; He is invisible and cannot be seen. (1 Tim. of the Son. (John 17:21-22)
1:17; John 1:18a) D. We are to worship God the Spirit. (John 4:24a)
 God cannot be reduced to a physical image; God is light.  God is Spirit; He is invisible and cannot be seen. (1 Tim.
(1 John 1:5) 1:17; John 1:18a)
o When we attempt to make an image of God,  God cannot be reduced to a physical image; God is light.
we reduce Him to something less than He is. (1 John 1:5)
o No visual conception of God could properly o When we attempt to make an image of God,
represent His glory. we reduce Him to something less than He is.
o No visual conception of God could properly
III. THE FORM OF WORSHIP (John 4:23-24) represent His glory.
A. We must worship in spirit; this is worship from the inside out.
(John 4:23; Psa. 45:1a; 103:1) III. THE FORM OF WORSHIP (John 4:23-24)
 We must be yielded to the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:11; 12:3) E. We must worship in spirit; this is worship from the inside out.
 We must have our hearts focused solely on God. (Psa. (John 4:23; Psa. 45:1a; 103:1)
57:7; 108:1)  We must be yielded to the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:11; 12:3)
 We must be repentant. (Psa. 139:23-24)  We must have our hearts focused solely on God. (Psa.
 We must die to the flesh; self is the only hindrance to 57:7; 108:1)
worshiping in the spirit. (Rom. 8:13)  We must be repentant. (Psa. 139:23-24)
B. We are to worship in truth; this is worship built on the truth of  We must die to the flesh; self is the only hindrance to
the Word of God. (John 4:24) worshiping in the spirit. (Rom. 8:13)
 We must preach the Word. (2 Tim. 4:1-2) F. We are to worship in truth; this is worship built on the truth of
 The systematic teaching of the Word of God provides the the Word of God. (John 4:24)
knowledge necessary for true worship. (Psa. 86:11-12;  We must preach the Word. (2 Tim. 4:1-2)
145:18)  The systematic teaching of the Word of God provides the
 Without good preaching, our knowledge is poor; and knowledge necessary for true worship. (Psa. 86:11-12;
without knowledge, our worship is poor; that is why 145:18)
preaching is emphasized in Scripture. (Col. 3:16; 1 Tim.  Without good preaching, our knowledge is poor; and
4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15) without knowledge, our worship is poor; that is why
C. Sincerity and enthusiasm are important, but they must be preaching is emphasized in Scripture. (Col. 3:16; 1 Tim.
based on truth. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15)
 The Samaritans worshiped in spirit, but not in truth; they G. Sincerity and enthusiasm are important, but they must be
were heat without light. based on truth.
D. Truth is foundational, but it must result in an eager, excited,  The Samaritans worshiped in spirit, but not in truth; they
enthusiastic heart. were heat without light.
H. Truth is foundational, but it must result in an eager, excited,
enthusiastic heart.
 The Jews worshiped in truth, but not in spirit; they were
light without heat.