True Worship

TEXT:  John 4:24

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WORSHIP, proskuneo, "to make obeisance, do reverence to( from

pros, towards, & kuneo, to kiss )is the most frequent word

                   rendered 'to worship.'"

lateuro, "to serve, to render religious service or homage, is

                   translated to worship in Phil. 3:3,  Acts 7:42, 24:14"( Vine ).

B.      VINE CONTINUES:  "The worship of God is nowhere defined in

                   Scripture.  A consideration of the above verbs shows that it is

                   not confined to praise;  broadly it may be regarded as the

                   direct acknowledgment to God, of his nature, attributes, ways &

                   claims, whether by outgoing of the heart in praise & and thanksgiving

                    or by deed done in such acknowledgment."

C.      IN THE LESSON WE WANT TO CONSIDER "FALSE" & "TRUE" WORSHIP.

I.      THERE IS A FALSE WORSHIP.

A.      VAIN WORSHIP( Mat. 15:8-9 ).

          1.       "vain" - empty, to no purpose, void of substance.

          2.       "Honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."

                   a.       Insincere, tradition( Mat. 15:6 )glory( Gal. 1:10 ).

                   b.       note the balance of Mark 16:16.

B.      WILL-WORSHIP( Col. 2:20-24 ).

          1.       Severe restrictions - not God's idea.

          2.       Made a show of wisdom in 3 areas:  will-worship, humility, severity to the body.

valueless in the pursuit of spiritual goals.

          3.       Will-worship - according to one's own will, after precepts & doctrines of men.

                   a.       Col. 2:8;  2 John 9;  Mat. 15:9.

                   b.       Man cannot prescribe for himself acceptable worship,

                                      even if it is severe and causes great sacrifice.

C.      WORSHIP OF THE CREATURE.

          1.       Idolatry( Rom. 1:22-25;  Gal. 5:19-21 ).

          2.       Undue reverence to God's servant( Acts10:25-26;  Rev.22:8-9 )

D.      IGNORANT WORSHIP( Acts 17:22-23;  17:30 ).

II.     THERE IS ALSO TRUE WORSHIP( John 4:23-24 ).

A.      "WORSHIP IN SPIRIT?" - Sincerely, with the inner man.

B.      "WORSHIP IN TRUTH?" - According to God's prescription.

          1.       Mat. 15:8-9;  1 Cor. 14:15.

          2.       Our standard of truth( John 17:17 ).

          3.       Jesus has all authority( Mat. 28:18;  Col. 3:17 ).

C.      THE OBJECT OF TRUE WORSHIP IS GOD( Rev. 22:8-9;  Mar. 4:10 ).

          1.       His power & great love seen in creation( Rom. 1:20 ).

          2.       Failure to acknowledge in thought or worship plunged the

                             world into immorality and idolatry( Rom. 1:21-25 ).

III.    WHERE MEN OUGHT TO WORSHIP( John 4:20-24 ).

A.      THE SAMARITAN vs. JEW CONTROVERSY - JEWS WERE RIGHT.

B.      JESUS REMOVED EMPHASIS FROM PLACE TO HEART( John 4:21,23 ).

IV.   WHAT ABOUT THE DISPOSITION OF THE WORSHIPER?

A.      THEY MUST BE CLEANSED BY THE BLOOD( Heb. 10:19f ).

B.      REVERENCE & AWE( 12:28-29 ).

C.      THANKSGIVING, GLADNESS & REJOICING( Psa. 122:1 ).

CONCLUSION:  WHAT ABOUT YOUR WORSHIP? ARE YOU WASHED

        IN THE BLOOD?