“Worship in Spirit and in Truth”
O.S. [John 4: 21-26]
We're all familiar with the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. This story took place in Samaria, just outside the city of Sychar. Jesus sent his disciples in to buy “meat”, while He waited at the well. The Samaritans were a people who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. Racially, they were a mix of Jewish and Pagan ancestries. They worshipped “Yahweh” as did the Jews, but their religion was not mainstream Judaism. While the Jews worshipped in the temple at Jerusalem, the Samaritans temple of worship was on Mt. Gerazim, the place they believed to be the location of where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. So, Jesus has a unique encounter with an immoral Samaritan woman where Jesus gives, perhaps, the most important statement in regards to worship: “worship in Spirit and in truth”.
My dilemma, over the years, has been how do I/we accomplish this? First, we must recognize that worship is a commandment. Genesis 4:5 states: “And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God; and should offer the firstlings of their flocks for an offering unto the Lord”. But, do we know HOW to worship? Ether 1:63 tells us “Because of the fall, our natures have become evil continually”, which translates into the fact that our vision of the purpose of God has become warped and distorted, and we’ve seen the fruits of this darkness, which makes the Lord’s statement even more important. The Apostle Paul also warns us in II Timothy 3: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.“ But Jesus calls us: “Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Heavy Weight!). In the latter days, we have been commanded to “establish the cause of Zion” (Sections 6,10,11,12).
So, what does it mean? To begin, I believe worship should be a life long celebration of Gods worthiness, because the gospel is a matter of righteousness. 1 Chronicles 16:9 reads "give the Lord the glory due unto his name; bring an offering, and come before him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”. I believe that to worship in spirit and in truth means that our worship comes from within; sincere, and based upon scriptural truth. This involves responding to God with our whole being. Prayer, fasting, study, singing, etc. are just a few examples of worship. Worship is the act of giving ourselves, in the pursuit of God.Proverbs 8:17 states: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me”.
We are to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth:
-In Spirit: in this worship, we drink from the fountain of life. It causes us to not only review our own lives, but to surrender them to God, thus receiving, in turn, the divine life. To worship in Spirit is to participate in a divine/human contact, in which the personality of the creator is revealed to the creation, so that the soul of men might be infused with eternal life.
-In truth: this worship is not merely good theology, though it has a part in it. There is also something righteous and relational about it. Scriptural truth sets apart believers for God. In John 17:17 we read “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” This “setting apart” becomes a defining characteristic between those who “stand in” truth, and those who really do not know God intimately. The quality of our worship, which brings about fellowship with God, is totally dependent upon our will to righteousness. There is a direct correlation between our desiring God, and our experiencing Him! Do we TRULY desire holiness? If so, It must be purposeful and alert, so that we come to worship with a keener sense of our own need, and the deep desire to enter into the presence of God. In the beatitudes, Jesus said “blessed are all they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Some would argue that Spirit and truth, functioning together, is simply impossible. The human soul, they say, can’t simultaneously hold such seemingly conflicting realities; you will eventually default to one or the other. Moving only by emotion creates an artificial spirit, while focusing only on the truths of Gods word will create hyper-intellectuals; arrogant elitists who feel the privilege to be judge and jury. But, Spirit and truth can not be separated. American theologian John Piper. In his book Desiring God, remarked that “Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of admirers. On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections of God rooted in truth are bone and marrow of biblical worship.” It is only through worship, in Spirit and in truth, that true believers can worship God as he truly is. We all worship something! Jesus himself spake in Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. It is only in worship, in Spirit and in truth, can the creation of the “new man” be accomplished, because when we worship, it tends to spill over into our daily lives. Think about it! While it’s usually more predominant in our younger, vulnerable years, we often take upon ourselves the personality of those in whom we associate with; words, phrases, mannerisms, etc. The same is true when we seek the companionship of He who is holy. We will take upon us His attributes!!
Consider 3 types of worship:
-Private Worship: When you worship in your secret closet.
-Family Worship: This is lacking in the church. Worship must be seen as a privilege, and be taught to the next generation. Our children will never see the joy in worship unless they see it modeled in us. They will never imagine a personal relationship with Jesus unless they identify with it in us. Worship, outside of ourselves, is not a natural act.
-Public Worship: Being “at” church is the barest of minimums. We each have a part in the worship, whether we are praying, preaching, presiding, or providing music. Services MUST (attention Priesthood) be designed to bring the body into the presence of God! Everyone, from the presider, to the speaker, to those offering prayers, to the music, must make an offering of sacrifice. The culmination of the other two types of worship should be brought to the Sanctuary for the experience to be felt by all. No more putting too much emphasis on the Priesthood! In communal worship, each individual must worship in Spirit and in truth, or the body cannot be whole.
*Worship strengthens the church. (The Spirit gives life and healing)
*Worship breaks chains; physically and Spiritually (Paul and Silas in jail/spiritual chains).
*Worship takes the emphasis off ourselves, and exalts God.
*Worship causes us to love God more, and in so doing, love others more, thus fulfilling the first two commandments.
-No man is an island! We NEED each other. This is why we are called to be “the body of Christ.” The Church is an organism, not an organization. We don’t celebrate the individual parts, we celebrate the blessing of being united in His Spirit, which brings about purification. What does this look like?
In his book “The Endowment” Earl Curry writes:
“How shall the Lord of Hosts accomplish all this purification, seeing that men's hearts are so often as tho made of stone, and seeing also that so often they trust so greatly in themselves, and are content with things as they are?
This purification must first come thru trial, even a great trial which shall engulf the nations of men. The people of the church and the covenant people shall inevitably be affected by that day of trial. By these trials shall the heart of the world be humbled, and by them also shall even the heart of the chosen people be humbled. Men and women of the world and of the church must be made aware, at long last, that the wisdom of this world will perish, but the wisdom of God will endure forever; they must be made to know that only as they trust in the great Father and His ways are golden days possible and is salvation possible, both here and hereafter. Isaiah saw this long ago when he cried with a loud voice that has been heard down thru the centuries since - "Behold the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh... That they may sanctify themselves and purify themselves... in the greatest garden of the Lord, which is the earth." Also He said, in the days of Melchisedec, concerning the last days, that the sons of God should be tried as by fire. By many such means shall there be a beginning of special purification.
This purification shall proceed as men shall come together in a most hallowed association. Even as like cleaves to like and goodness to goodness, just so will noble qualities, brought to the fore in the experiences of the school of the prophets and the endowment, cleave unto one another. By contagious example shall the dross be set to one side and goodness exalted.
This purification shall come about because of the exalted spiritual experiences that shall be shared. The guidance men have received, the deep things of the Spirit they have been led to understand, the miraculous testimonies related, the widening of horizons they shall experience, the ministry of angelic hosts in marvelous ways, the visitation of those who have tarried - how could anyone partake of or share or experience all these bountiful blessings of the great Father and not be purified from the sins of the world?
Then highest of all, to be in the presence of the radiant Son of God. Surely by all these would the sons of Levi be purified and made worthy to offer a great offering in righteousness, even as much more complete achievement, Zion, and even the preaching of the real and complete and spirit-tested gospel in all the world ere the end comes!
This purification will be from the lusts of the flesh, from the temptation of the devil, from evil ways and thoughts, from selfishness, from personal glorification. from narrow and unholy purposes, and the like. Out of the grand experiences of these days will come liberation from the sins of the flesh. which as men give way to them bind them as with chains. Out of the glory of these days shall arise a brotherhood of extraordinary ministers and people whom God can and shall wondrously use to achieve His purposes, in the noblest of all possible associations -- even God working with man and man with God -- both doing so sacrificially and with glorious ends in view. By all these things, as you shall individually and collectively carry them out, shall the ministry of this day be made ready for the crowning experiences of the Endowment”.
*APPLICATION:
-Practice worship: Worship in all times, and in all places.
-Recognize our need for God. Psalms 42:1 “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
-Pray: Pray for those who have responsibilities in upcoming services throughout the week prior. Pray with those who are praying in services.
-Prepare daily, as if everyone elses experience depends upon YOUR preparation!
*By doing these things, I believe our corporate worship shall be intensified, which will lead to being filled with desire, ultimately leading to great expectations, which God can, and will fulfill, if we are prepared to receive.
THIS IS MY CHALLENGE TO YOU TODAY!! God bless.
