True Worship
A. WORSHIP IS AS ESSENTIAL TO PLEASING GOD AS ANYTHING ELSE.
1. Worship is necessary as a means of expressing and cultivating reverence and
developing piety obedience.
2. It purifies, deepens, strengthens the feelings.
B. FAITH WITHOUT WORSHIP - EMPTY POWERLESS THEOLOGY.
WORSHIP WITHOUT FAITH IS RITUALIST SUPERSTITION.
C. WHAT IS WORSHIP - WHAT IS TRUE WORSHIP?
A. SEWELL - "Worship is the expression of love, gratitude, praise and adoration of
the only... God by a heart of faith, trust, penitent submission, humility,
dependence and acknowledge responsibility."
B. GOD EXPRESSED HIS LOVE BY SENDING JESUS( John 3:16 ).
C. WE EXPRESS OUR LOVE FOR HIM THROUGH OBEDIENT WORSHIP
( John 14:15; Matt. 4:10 ).
A. ATTENTION HERE IS GIVEN TO THE PLACE( vs. 10-20 ).
1. Jesus says the Jews were right to worship in Jerusalem(vs. 22 ).
2. He indicates that soon the place will be unimportant.
a. Does not justify absence( Heb. 10:25 ).
b. Refers to place of assembly or worship.
3. God's house is spiritual( 1 Cor.3:16-17; Eph.2:19f.).
B. ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE CONDITION OF THE WORSHIPER.
1. We must worship in SPIRIT.
a. OT worship emphasized form & order - physical and ritualistic.
b. NT worship consists in the expression of the love gratitude, praise,
adoration of the heart( Matt. 15:8; Eph. 5:19-20; Col. 3:16-17 ).
c. We must distinguish between appreciation for the beautiful and orderly
and reverence for God.
i. We can mistake show for reverence.
ii. Some reject genuine worship because the manner of expression
does not satisfy an artistic temperament or cultured mind.
d. There are two errors to avoid.
i. Light frivolous,crude,careless performance.
ii. Dignified, artistic - no heart.
2. We must worship in TRUTH.
a. What is truth?( John 17:17; 8:31-32 ).
b. The Pharisees were condemned because their worship was
corrupted( Matt. 15:9 ).
c. God had given them a pattern, and he gave us one
( Heb. 8:5; 2 Tim. 1:13 ).
c. We aren't free to add to what God has given( 2 John 9-11 ).
d. Or free to subtract( James 4:17 ).
e. Our behavior toward innovators( Matt.15:13-14 ).
A. THE JEWS WORSHIP?( Matt. 15:8-9 ).
B. OUTSIDE CHRIST YOUR WORSHIP IS VAIN( John 14:6 ).
C. HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE THE LORD, ENOUGH TO OBEY?
