Worshiping in Spirit & Truth
John 4:19-26 NLT
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”
John 4:23-24 NLT
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Worship = Greek Word “proskuneo” – which means “to worship, to lay prostrate before, to kiss the feet or hem of the garment. It signified divine adoration, showing awe or respect.
Spirit = Greek Word “pneuma” – which means “breath”, “wind”.
Worshipping in spirit is to be made alive by God through the person of the Holy Spirit engaging God authentically from the inside out—living a life that is Spirit-led, emotionally honest, and open to His voice & leading.
Truth = Greek “aletheia” – which means “with sincerity, with a love for truth.”
To worship God in Truth is to worship God for who He is and not our preferred perspective of who we want Him to be.
"Real worship comes from the spirit within and is based on true views of God, requiring both heart and head, engaging both emotions and thought." – John Piper
John 16:13 NIV
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Worshiping God in spirit and in truth is not EITHER/OR. It's BOTH/AND.
We can so hyper-fixate on the spiritual and supernatural that we leave NO REGARD for the Authority of God’s Word.
We can be so hyper-fixated on the LETTER of the law that we completely miss the SPIRIT & HEART of the law.
How Do We Worship God in Spirit and In Truth?
1. God is not bound to location.
John 4:20-21 NLT
So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.
How Do We Worship God in Spirit and In Truth?
1. God is not bound to location.
2. God is bigger than our limited revelation.
John 4:22-23 NLT
You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.
John 4:24 NLT
For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
How Do We Worship God in Spirit and In Truth?
1. God is not bound to location.
2. God is bigger than our limited revelation.
3. Worship transpires through Visitation.
John 4:25-26 NLT
The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
