As I have thought about this lately, I have began to wonder if the kind of worshipers God seeks are extremely rare. In a world where "worship" has become centralized to ourselves, or where "worship" has been reduced to a time of singing on Sunday morning, I have been wondering if God looks at our "worship" and is saddened. Christ's call for worshipers of spirit and truth really does give us the absolute to our worship, but what does worshiping in spirit and truth mean to you? I have heard countless definitions of this in my studies on worship from the Bible.
Read through this outline below that I put together for our worship team here at Harvest Granger. Hopefully this will give you a better understanding of our worship, so that you can be the kind of worshiper God seeks.
Spirit and Truth Worship
John 4:23-24:
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such people. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24:
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such people. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
*Spirit and Truth worship of God is not a desirable element and guideline, but that which is absolutely necessary!
1. Worship in spirit-
a. Worshiping in spirit speaks of the human spirit
b. “Jesus’ point here is that a person must worship not simply by external conformity to religious rituals and places (outwardly), but inwardly (“in spirit”) with the proper heart attitude.” J. Macarthur
c. Worshiping in spirit means meeting God on a soul level.
1. “The soul represents the deepest part of who we are. That’s the level on which God wants to relate to us, the point at which we meet him in worship.” R. Noland
2. True Christianity starts with surrender!
2. Worship in truth-
a. Worship of God consistent with the revealed scriptures
b. Centered on the “Word made flesh…”Jesus Christ...
1. To worship in truth we must have a proper view of who we are called to worship.
2. Scriptures often say, “Worship God through His Son Jesus Christ. We must understand the relationship between Jesus and his Father.
3. Jesus ultimately revealed who His Father was (Jn. 14:6)
c. Worshiping in truth means we worship God for who He truly is.
1. Becoming a worshiper isn’t about the pursuit of fitting in--but the pursuit of a person. Out of knowing God we make Him known, declaring his worth!
The worksheet above has been on my heart a great deal lately. There is a lot more to worship than the surface things seen on a Sunday morning. The true worshiper let's God deep down, rooting away the sin and filthy rags that are hidden, then is so filled with the joy of salvation, that it can't help but come out in song! To worship in spirit is to worship from the inside-out. I love what the Psalmist prays in Psalm 139:"Search me o God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way of everlasting." This is not an easy prayer when you think about it, but it is absolutely necessary to be the kind of worshiper God seeks. I have found myself seemingly going along living for God, and when I prayed those very words, God has revealed things that I have had to clear up and ask forgiveness for. But, out of that, I am led to know more of His mercy and grace and justice, and can't help but worship.
Then, to worship in truth is to continually find out new things about our matchless God! Be rooted in God's Word, holding fast to the doctrines of Christ and sin and salvation...etc. Let Christ be the aim of all your worship, that God may be given glory through Him. Strive with me to put these things into practice and be worshipers of spirit and truth.
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