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Devotional For The Week – 8 September 2008 Sermon Title: Worship is Fully-Spirit and Fully-Truth Today’s passage is commonly known to most Christians. It is about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus was travelling through Samaria when he stops for a drink at a well and meets a Samaritan woman. He strikes up a conversation with her and she starts asking Him about worship. The Samaritans and the Jews have been enemies for a long period of time and they disagree on where worship should take place. Jesus seizes this opportunity to teach about worship and to reveal Himself as the Messiah. We learn from Jesus’ teaching that worship is not about the location or even a particular form. True worship that is acceptable to God is of spirit and truth. God is actively seeking true worshippers. 1. Acceptable Worship While Jesus teaches that the place of worship is not the critical issue about worship, it does not mean that we can worship God in any way we like. Worship is a sacred activity and as we are worshipping a holy God, we must be respectful. When you attend church service, what is your heart attitude as you prepare for worship? What thoughts go through your mind as you sing hymns of praise and offer up your prayers? Are you aware of God’s presence or are you preoccupied with other thoughts? Many passages in scripture tell us of the seriousness with which God’s people approach Him in worship and the dire consequence of ignoring it. There is even an entire book (Leviticus) containing laws and regulations for worship at the tabernacle. Leviticus records the offerings that the Israelites had to make and the order in which they were to be made. These laws were not meant to make the Israelites feel restricted in worship but rather to aid the Israelites in reflecting on the nature and character of God. God is Holy and therefore a sin offering had to be made first. This was followed by the burnt and grain offering which symbolised one’s commitment and devotion to God. Lastly, a peace offering would be made and this symbolised peace with God and with one another in the community. In present times, God is often portrayed as a God of love and the Bible records Jesus calling His disciples His friends. However, we should never forget that God is also Almighty God. The Bible says that at the name of Jesus, all will have to bow down and acknowledge His greatness. Therefore, we must not take worship lightly and come unprepared. 2. Worship in Truth In John 17:17, Jesus prayed for the disciples that they be sanctified by the truth. God’s word is the truth. Worshipping in truth means that we are to come to God honestly, without pretence. Truth is also objective. The unchanging eternal Word of God speaks the truth about who God is and who we are in Christ. Therefore, even as we are open with God about our feelings, we should also bring God’s truth into our worship. We know that: • As His children, we are to obey God and to love others just as we are loved; As you enter church service to worship, ask the Lord to shine the light of His truth into your hearts. If His Word reveals sin in your life, confess and repent. If His Word reminds you of what He has done, be willing to praise Him and give thanks. If His Word reveals an attribute of God’s goodness and majesty, be ready to declare His praise and exalt Him. Finally, if His Word shows you an area in your life that needs to be changed, ask for His help and act on it. 3. Worship in Spirit We have a body, soul and spirit. Our body helps us relate with the world around us. Our soul comprising our mind and emotions give expression to our unique identity in relating with others. Our spirit is the unique part that communicates with God who is spirit. The psalmist reminds us that spirit speaks to spirit, deep calls to deep. Our spirit is the deepest innermost part of our being that communicates with God. When we pray to receive Christ as Savior, the spirit of God revives the dead spirit in us and restores our relationship with God. In fact, without the spirit of God who lives in us, we are unable to understand spiritual truths. The Bible reminds us that “now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12). Worshipping in spirit is about the spirit of God quickening our spirit with what is on His heart and mind. It also refers to our heartfelt and genuine worship of God. The Bible records many instances of sincere and heartfelt worship which God appreciates: • Miriam (after crossing the Red Sea) and Mary (after Gabriel’s visitation) composed and sang songs of praise and worship. Someone once wrote: “When we are able to embrace fully both Word and Spirit, we will see new things happen in our prayers, in our ministries and throughout the Body of Christ. Through the Word, we have a sure foundation for our keeping our prayers aligned with God’s will and character. Through the Spirit, we receive personal revelation of God’s heart and mind to fuel and guide our prayers. When we have both the Spirit and the Word, giving each its proper due, we will have the strong, balanced, and effective prayer lives that God intended for His children” (Pray! Issue 56, Sep/Oct 2006) In Revelation 7:9-12, God shares with us His heart’s desire which is to see the world come together in worship of Him. How have you helped to spread God’s word today? Prayer Response Dear Lord Jesus, I want to thank You for providing a way for me to be saved and for the freedom to worship You. I pray that in worship, You will help me be aware of Your presence and not be side tracked by my cares and concerns. Remind me about the truth of Your character and help me to obey You. Amen. Devotional based on a message by Ms Judy Foo
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