TRUE WORSHIP

John 4:16-26

Jesus read the question of the heart. 4:16

Sin exposed - Woman on the spot - 4:17

Clever cop-out - 18,19 Praise - 18 Diversionary question - 19

Jesus' response to the Samaritan woman reveals the true nature of worship

and directions for it's practice.

Before we look at these directions let me ask a reflective question.

What is worship? Adoration Communication Praise Reverence Renewal

Let's keep these words in mind as we reflect on this passage of Scripture

-

I. TRUE WORSHIP IS REFLECTED BY PURPOSE NOT PLACE - John 4:21,22

A. The Where of Worship - ( As indicated by the book of Acts )

The Temple The marketplace Court of the Priests Vehicle ( chariot )

Private homes Jewish synagogues Third story tenement building Greek

lecture hall Military barracks ( steps of ) Jailhouse By a Riverside Roman

judgement hall King's palace

Let's see - What seems to be missing? Oh, yes, a permanent structure just

for that purpose.

The only place they didn't preach or teach is about the only place that we

do either - the church building.

The early church didn't have a building so they concentrated on the train

not the station;

The movement not the sanctuary.

There is no evidence of Christians having private worship centers until

well into the third century.

I'm not advocating burning or selling all of our church buildings but

let's reevaluate what they are for: Arsenals for God's soldiers Filling

stations for God's task force

Launching pads for God's satellites Outposts for refreshing God's troops.

Let's take the Gospel back out in the world where it is needed.

Let's be the people of God on the move not the audience of God sitting in

a pew.

B. The What of Worship "For where two or three are gathered in My name,

there am I in the midst of them. " Jesus Matthew 18:20

Purposeful Worship

Hebrews 10:16-25

Fellowship of the Forgiven - 16-22 Faith Strengthener - 23

Focussed Development -24

Consider one another

Provoke one another unto love

Provoke one another into good works

Friendly Encouragement - 25

The church is not a gathering place for the saints, it is a gathering of

the saints.

II. TRUE WORSHIP IS CONDUCTED ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD - John 4:23,24

Truth: Jesus said, I am the Truth Jesus said, My word is truth

Worship of the first church - Acts 2:40-42

Salvation - 40,41

Worship in Spirit & Truth - 42

Spirit - Fellowship & Prayers

Fellowship - horizontal spirit to spirit communication

Prayer - Vertical spirit to Spirit communication

Truth - Apostle's Doctrine & the Lord's Supper

Apostle's Doctrine - Reading, preaching, teaching, admonishing,

correcting, training with the Word of God.

Lord's Supper - Symbolic truth of the real reason for our existence.

Flash Cards - Are these elements present here in the first church?

Should they be present in today's church? (The church of what's happening

now)

III. TRUE WORSHIP IS A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE - John 4:21,22

You are called to be present - " I'm with you in spirit, preacher. " "Quit

haunting me and come in person. "

You are called to more than a bodily presence.

Let's revisit Acts 2:42

Is Prayer a Spiritual exercise?

Public - Can you say amen?

Can we address your needs?

Private - Intercession

Praise

Pleading

Conversation

Test cards: Is prayer love? Is prayer communication? Is prayer praise? Is

prayer respect ?

Is prayer renewal?

Is the Breaking of Bread a spiritual exercise?

Do we experience Love? ...Communication? ... Praise? ... Respect? ...

Renewal?

Is fellowship ( sharing, participation, cooperation, contribution, sharing

) love? ... Communication? ... Praise?... Respect? ... Renewal?

Conclusion:

Read John 4:25, 26

Our worship experience is to launch us into service in order to reach

every community and every culture within the community.

Illustrate with Dish TV. I have access to an abundance of information

because it is beamed to me from satellites that were launched into space.

Are you an information source for those who need to know Christ or are you

out of kilter and not avilable for service?

Let us use the means to worship as a means to spiritual worship.

Love Communication Praise Respect Renewal

Don't just fill a pew, fulfill a destiny. Are you a satellite or a settee?

I that speak to you am He, Jesus said

You shall be my witnesses!