True Worship (3 of 4)
Series: Jesus and the Woman at the Well
Steve Jones
John 4:16-24
INTRODUCTION: A young boy had attended several baseball games with his father and learned the tradition of singing the national anthem before each game. Subsequently he attended church on the Sunday before Independence day and the congregation sang several patriotic hymns, including the Star Spangled Banner. After singing the National Anthem in church the congregation sat down and there were several seconds of silence before the little boy's voice rang out in the quiet sanctuary ''Play ball!''
Worship can be enjoyable and fun, but it is not a game. One of our purposes in the Church is to worship God. One of our goals as individual Christians is to become the best worshippers of God we can in this life. In Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman he tells her that God is looking for ''true worshippers'' and teaches her what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth.
In our lesson today we're going to learn what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth. Many definitions for worship could be suggested but the one we'll use today, based upon Jesus teaching in John 4, is the following: Worship is giving to God that which is pleasing to Him, in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Read John 4:16-24.
I. WORSHIP IN TRUTH - GIVING TO GOD THAT WHICH IS PLEASING TO HIM
The source for truth in worship is the Word of God. The Samaritan woman recited to Jesus a worship controversy of her day. Which temple was the proper one in which to worship, the temple built by the Jews in Jerusalem or the temple built by the Samaritans on Mount Gerizim.
Note what Jesus did not say in His answer.
* He did not say ''It doesn't matter.''
* He did not say ''It's not important.''
* He did not say ''There's no way to know.''
* He did not say ''I don't want to come across as over-critical of well-intentioned, sincere Samaritan believers.''
Note what Jesus did say. Jesus ...
Series: Jesus and the Woman at the Well
Steve Jones
John 4:16-24
INTRODUCTION: A young boy had attended several baseball games with his father and learned the tradition of singing the national anthem before each game. Subsequently he attended church on the Sunday before Independence day and the congregation sang several patriotic hymns, including the Star Spangled Banner. After singing the National Anthem in church the congregation sat down and there were several seconds of silence before the little boy's voice rang out in the quiet sanctuary ''Play ball!''
Worship can be enjoyable and fun, but it is not a game. One of our purposes in the Church is to worship God. One of our goals as individual Christians is to become the best worshippers of God we can in this life. In Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman he tells her that God is looking for ''true worshippers'' and teaches her what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth.
In our lesson today we're going to learn what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth. Many definitions for worship could be suggested but the one we'll use today, based upon Jesus teaching in John 4, is the following: Worship is giving to God that which is pleasing to Him, in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Read John 4:16-24.
I. WORSHIP IN TRUTH - GIVING TO GOD THAT WHICH IS PLEASING TO HIM
The source for truth in worship is the Word of God. The Samaritan woman recited to Jesus a worship controversy of her day. Which temple was the proper one in which to worship, the temple built by the Jews in Jerusalem or the temple built by the Samaritans on Mount Gerizim.
Note what Jesus did not say in His answer.
* He did not say ''It doesn't matter.''
* He did not say ''It's not important.''
* He did not say ''There's no way to know.''
* He did not say ''I don't want to come across as over-critical of well-intentioned, sincere Samaritan believers.''
Note what Jesus did say. Jesus ...
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