A service of worship.
27 June 2010 Wayne Austin
Reading: John 4:19-26
Intro - Different people, different denominations have their own peculiarities of how they do things. But when it comes down to our worship of God - does it matter? Do those outward things actually affect the way we worship? Should they affect the way we worship? What really does matter when it comes to worshiping God? What does worship of God mean to you? How should we bring meaningful and pleasing worship to God?
The Wine Press comment this week noted - "The deepest need of the human heart and the greatest purpose for which we are created is to know God personally and to worship him." I wonder if you agree with that - or is there something else that fills the need of your heart? It has been said that we have a vacuum in our hearts - an emptiness that needs to be filled to make us complete. I believe that vacuum, that emptiness can only be completely and satisfyingly filled by the love of God. And when it is you will know very clearly that is the case. You know when love fills your heart. It influences what you do. It influences your attitudes. It influences your thinking. It makes you want to respond in love.
This is the kind of response, or worship that God desires from his people - one of absolute awe and devotion and love, one that brings him pleasure - one that comes from the heart - a heart of love and devotion. So I do believe that "The deepest need of the human heart and the greatest purpose for which we are created is to know God personally and to worship him" is very accurate.
God even created us for this purpose. Ephesians 1:5 TEV says "Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children - this was his pleasure and purpose."
What loving parent doesn't delight in his children? This scripture tells us that God is our heavenly Father and we are his children. God takes pleasure in you and me! Isn't that so amazing!! Doesn't that make you feel special?
For me, as a parent, I get great pleasure from my children, and now from my grandchildren, and what gives me the most pleasure from them is their love - a love that is not brought about by a sense of duty or obligation, but out of spontaneous love.
And that is exactly what God yearns for from us - worship that is out of love and devotion, not out of duty.
So WHY should we give worship to God?
- Because God commanded it. The first commandment tells that that worship of God must come above everything else (Ex.20:3-5). That couldn't be clearer could it? We are to neither have any other idols or gods or to worship them - because God jealously wants our worship to be directed to him.
- Jesus reminds us to. When he was tempted by Satan Jesus answered - quoting scripture - "You shall worship the Lord your God, and only him shall you serve." (Matt.4:10). And at a different time, in the answer to the question "Which is the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt.22:37-38 NIV). Jesus was quite clear about the requirement to worship God.
- It is God's purpose in redeeming us. In Ephesians 1:11-12, Paul tells us this is clearly so that we might praise and worship God.
- Because God is creator, giver, and sustainer of all life. We read in Rev. 4:11 how and why God is so worthy to receive all the honour and glory that we can give him.
We can only find our true reason for living, and fulfillment, when we worship God. Sin made us self-centred. Jesus came to make us God-centred again. This was to shift our attention from ourselves to God. Sometimes we question this thinking don't we? We tend to think we have to take care of ourselves and our families - and then do the other things. But that is not what God says. He says in the Great Commandment that we are to "honour and worship him first and foremost and all these other things will be taken care of." "Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt.6:33). Here Jesus was talking about us worrying about the everyday things of life. He said they will be provided according to our needs - if we put God first!
HOW do we worship?
Well what is worship? Is it sitting through a Sunday service? Is it singing great hymns and songs of praise - praying - and so on? I don't believe so! None of these by themselves is worship.
Worship:
Is expressing by life and word the worth of our mighty God - it MUST be more than an outward ceremony or ritual - our lives must show it.
Must be the deep response of our hearts to God - in thanksgiving, praise and adoration. It has to come from the heart.
Is our spirit communing with God's Spirit - reaching out to God from the depths of our beings - from our hearts.
Is focusing on the greatness, the holiness, and the righteousness of God - and forgetting about ourselves.
The outward form of worship is not the important thing. It is not how dynamic the music team is. We are blessed with dedicated and talented musicians in our church. It is not the style of music even - whether we raise our hands or not - none of these or other outward signs is of the most importance.
It is the INNER attitude of the heart that really counts.
In our gospel reading (v23-24) Jesus said - and this is one of the few 'musts' in scripture - to worship God we must worship him in the right way. No matter what form of worship we follow there are two inner qualities of our worship that make it acceptable to God. So………
1. Our worship must be in spirit
God is Spirit and not an idol of wood or stone or anything else we place great focus on before God. He is living and since he is spirit, he is everywhere. So God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us in our worship (Eph.2:18). The Holy Spirit helps us overcome that natural self-centeredness and helps us to be God-centred. So before we can even worship God, his Holy Spirit must be living in us. Then we are able to be spirit led in our worship.
We must be the active ones in our worship, rather than being the audience when we come here to a worship service. For example, the musicians are simply here to prompt us. We are the performers. God is the audience. When our spirit connects with God's spirit - that is a very special experience. It is unforgettable, as Ross testified to us last Sunday.
If we start by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us and help us then our worship will become more natural and meaningful day by day - and THAT will be worship in spirit.
Secondly Jesus said………
2. Our worship must be in truth
Jesus said he is the only way to the Father - to God. So Jesus is key to our worship of God. (Phil.3:3). Worship "in truth" is worship that glories in Jesus - that lifts him up - that makes him central. Worship "in truth" means having a knowledge and understanding of who God is. In our gospel reading (v22) Jesus said the Samaritans worshiped in an ignorant way, not really knowing God personally. If we have little knowledge of someone how can we possibly bring them true adoration and worship? We just wouldn't would we? So how can we possibly do so with God? The more we grow in our understanding of who God is the deeper and more meaningful our worship will become.
How do you get to know someone really well - as we need to know God? Surely it is only through spending time with them. So it is with God - we need to take that time - in quiet - listening - with him in conversation - reading your bible (all we can ever know about God is found in his scriptures).
For us to be able to truly worship a God we truly know we must spend time with him. We can't just drum up that love and worship. True worship comes from the heart - not from being emotionally revved up externally.
The where and when of worship. Do we have to come to a church service to worship - on a Sunday - or a particular day of the week? Where - and when - is the question?
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well how true worshipers will worship in the near future (v21). He in effect was saying that worshipers will worship anywhere and at anytime. Instead of the centre for worship being in a specific location like the Samaritans' temple on the mountain, or the Jews' temple in Jerusalem - or the Churton Park School hall for us - God's temple is now in a different place. Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 3:16 where that place is………
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
God is spirit and is living in us. You and me - each one of us is God's temple. Not a building. God's kingdom is in each of his children - you and me. Don't you feel privileged and special? God has made his temple - his dwelling place - in you! What Jesus said to the Samaritan woman about where God would be worshiped in the future - is how worship is now……….
The place of True Worship is -
In the bodies of Christ's believers
Anywhere and everywhere
At anytime
So that means worship isn't just a Sunday thing. It is to be all through the week wherever we are - whatever we are doing. And that is exactly the thrust of the finding of our parish consultation - we are to be missional, reaching out to our community - each one of us. When we do, that is bringing worship to God.
Paul also says……….Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom.12:1)
What does this mean for us today?
As "living sacrifices" we are offering worship to God in:
1. All that we own
Where something dominates our thoughts and desires more than God does - that does not glorify or please God. So Jesus' instruction to" Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well" - takes on real meaning doesn't it?
As "living sacrifices" we are offering worship to God in:
2. All that we do
Whatever we do, however menial or difficult or rewarding, it should be done with the attitude that we are doing it for God - that God is our "boss". This means showing love and consideration to others in thought and deed, and in what we say. It means trying hard and doing things to the best of our ability, wholeheartedly, and joyfully as unto God.
And in doing this we are honouring God and bringing worship and glory to him - and that pleases him.
It seems to me that if we follow the life of Christ and aim to live the way he did, there is no greater worship we can bring to God because Jesus showed us how to truly love. He said………….
A new Commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34, 35
Love is the key - it always is. God's love in our hearts - responded to by our love for him -shown in our love for others.
To draw all these thoughts together then, we can say that…….
True worship is
Ø devotional and from a heart of love
Ø sacrificial - putting God first before anything else
Ø "in Spirit" - when our spirit connects with God's spirit
Ø "in Truth" - when we know God so well, we can truly adore him
Ø anywhere, anytime
It gives God the glory, exalts him. It is not self-centred, but is Christ-centred.
And so I encourage you - that when we have discovered how to truly worship God with loving devotion, we will have found our original purpose for being created, and the greatest joy, fulfillment and satisfaction.
And when you do, you will truly be living for God and giving him a full service of worship.
