BE CONNECTED – GET ON BOARD: To Worship on a Weekly Basis  

John 4:20-24

All of us live in anticipation. You purchase a car and you look forward to a great ride, good service, comfort, and maybe some jealous looks when you drive down the road. You have a friend and you look forward to a good, supportive, encouraging relationship. You go to a concert or event and you hope it will meet your expectations. We all have expectations. A teacher began a new term at a high school in Maryland Heights, MO by asking students in her English class to write a “letter of expectation,” telling her about themselves, what they wanted to accomplish that year and what they expected from her. A young man whom she had taught in two previous classes was the first to hand in his letter: “Dear Mrs. Jobe, I already know you, so I don’t have any expectations.” (via Reader’s Digest)  - We want to know you better and we also want you to know we do have expectations! We want membership here to have meaning. Today we look at our 1^st expectation for PV members. We expect the members of PV to worship on the Lord’s Day.

• One of our greatest needs is that of worship, yet few understand what worship really is. 
• Our word worship comes from two Anglo-Saxon words, worth and ship.  When we worship we are giving worth to the one we worship.

Many years ago Henry Ward Beecher, the highly regarded preacher, was absent from Plymouth church and his brother replaced him.  The church auditorium was crowded, but when it was evident that the eloquent Henry Ward Beecher wasn’t going to appear, many started to leave.  The brother of the great man wasn’t disturbed. Calling for silence, he said, “All who came this morning to worship Henry Ward Beecher may leave now. The rest will remain to worship God.”  No one left after that.  (1800 Quips and ILL for All Occasions – Baker)

When you come to a church what are your expectations? I know you have them.

I.         What do you expect from worship?

A.      We often expect the wrong things.

1.           When you came here today what were your expectations?  Did you expect to enter into the presence of God?   For many, that isn’t in their thoughts.

·           They expect the people up front to be prepared.

·           They expect the service to begin and end “on time.” Of course we all have different expectations.

·           Some expect to be comfortable, to hear some familiar things.

·           Others expect to be challenged.

·           Some expect to find answers or to be encouraged.

2.           We need to understand worship isn’t a performance put on by the people up front for the entertainment of the congregation.

3.           Worship is focusing on God, His nature and will. Worship includes those on the platform and those in the pews, all of us, coming into God’s presence.

4.           Because we come in and sit down, we may think worship is something passive. But while our body might be sitting, our mind and heart can be on tiptoe in expectation, lying prostrate in contrition or raised up in praise.

B.      Ignore vital worship and you can expect to slip spiritually.

The sign at a drive-in carwash said: REGULAR WASHING PAYS OFF. It’s not only a message to auto owners, it’s also a reminder of an important spiritual lesson. Just as cars require periodic washings to remove harmful dirt and grime, so Christians need continual cleansing to keep their lives bright and useful. Worship plays a key role in staying in a right relationship with God.

1.           The absence of vital worship for any person is the first step away from God, the recovering of it is a step back to Him. 

2.           Beware being a disconnected spectator rather than a participant.

 

After worship at a church in Newcastle, KY, a mom with a fidgety 7-yr old boy told her preacher how she got him to sit and be quiet. Half way through the sermon, she whispered, “If you don’t be quiet, The Preacher will lose his place and have to start his sermon all over again!” It worked!

3.           We are the biggest barrier to worship – we want comfort and respectability. As long as we are conscious of self and focus on US, worship will be uncomfortable, unfulfilling and empty.

II.       Jesus clarified god-honoring worship.  John 4:20-24

A.      He dealt with the proper place and proper people. Vs 20

1.           The Samaritans believed Mt. Gerizim was the place.

·           Abraham sacrificed Isaac and met Melchizedek there. A temple was there. 

·           They thought true worship involved a specific place.   

·           They sought to worship, but didn’t know the one they worshipped.

2.           The Jews had a better knowledge of God and viewed the Temple in Jerusalem as the greatest place to worship yet they tended to lack inner relationship.  

3.           Jesus indicates worship is not in a place, ritual or race. Vs 23a  

·           Meaningful worship, done in spirit and truth, doesn’t depend on location. 

B.      True worship is in spirit and truth.  vs 23b

1.           In spirit.  Genuine worship is a matter of the heart. 

…you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out “Abba Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.  Romans  8:15b,16  NASV

·           There must be honesty, an opening up to the Lord.   Jesus so much as says, “If you aren’t prepared to take off your mask and deal with your inadequacy you don’t need to discuss locations.”

2.           In truth.  We are not to bypass our intellect. 

·           Truth is distinguished from false conceptions that result from sketchy knowledge – vs 22.  It is in accordance with the revealed will of God.

C.     True worship has an object and a worshipper.

1.           An object - “The Father.”  Vs 24   

·           God’s nature is that of spirit.  He is Light and Love. He isn’t material, He is Spirit who fills the universe. He is not confined to things or places.

2.           A worshipper  -  God is seeking a particular kind of person.

Who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3b NASV

Let us draw near with a sincere heart (purged by the living Word) in full assurance of faith (a conviction Jesus is Lord and Savior) having our hearts  sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (cleansed from guilt through the work of Christ). Hebrews 10:22 NASV   These folk can come “boldly” to worship, confident God will receive them.

·           Matthew 5:8 says the pure in heart will see God.

D.     True worship focuses on God.

1.           It stems from the Creator-creature, Savior-Lord relationship.

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.  Revelation 4:9 NASV

2.           Worship is adoring God for who He is by nature. In worship we minister to the Lord.

·           Deuteronomy 10:8  The Levites were to stand before the Lord to serve Him and bless  his name.  We are a royal priesthood to proclaim His excellencies.

·           We offer sacrifices – Hebrews 13:15.

3.           Worship is for God.  We aren’t to focus on our needs but on God and His glory. 

·           If we feel better, this is only a by-product. 

·           We cannot truly worship and at the same time be the center of worship.

4.           We come to celebrate God – to bless HIM! Like a child “blesses” a parent when they say, “I love you.” What we understand about Him directly affects our worship.

·           The service of worship has to focus on who God is. It is about God, not us.

·           We need to ask ourselves when we leave, “How does God feel about my worship of Him today?  DID GOD GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT?”

E.      True worship transforms us.

1.           Isaiah discovered this. We are changed as we look into the face of a Holy God who loves us. Worship is a recognition that God reached out to us when we were far from who we were created to be.

2.           Worship calls for magnifying the Lord and helps us have a proper perspective of ourselves and our situation.

·           In Acts 4 when the church faced threats and persecution what was their response? Worship! vs 24-30.  The result?  Transformation! vs 31

3.           No one can truly experience the gift of God’s grace and not respond with thanksgiving and celebration. Unfortunately, many miss this aspect.

At a conference at a Presbyterian church in Omaha, people were given helium filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Since they were Presbyterians, they didn’t feel free to say "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord." All through the service balloons ascended, but when worship was over 1/3 of the balloons were unreleased.  – I’m afraid some of us have never released our balloon. Let your balloon go!

4.           When we are aware of the presence of a Holy God and respond as Isaiah did, “woe is me…I have seen the Lord…” Then we answer God’s call with “send me.”

Let us follow the admonition of David who wrote, "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord. The humble will hear it and be glad. Oh magnify the Lord with me. And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears." (Psalm 34:1-4)

Conclusion: All of us here at PVCC want to have uplifting worship times and we encourage you to make the Lord’s Day worship a priority.

• We want worship here to be a focus on God and a fellowship with His people. 
• A time of praise and adoration, lifting up our hearts to the Lord.
• A time of communion, self examination and memory of Jesus’ sacrifice.
• An opportunity to give sacrificially of our financial resources. 
• An occasion when we open His Word to learn of His will.
• A time to serve and encourage one another while ministering unto the Lord
• A time when our hearts will be lifted.
• A time that will help prepare us to be better able to face life. 

Have you worshipped today? If not, what is the problem? 

·        Christian - Do you have sin in your life? Confess it, repent of it and enjoy . 

·        If you haven’t received God’s gracious give of Salvation in Christ – do so – He is the only way to the Father. 

Be committed to worship the Lord every Lord’s Day with other Christ-followers.

The following material is provided to assist you in application of the sermon. You may go over this individually, share it with a small group or your family.

 

OPEN - Share your “story” with some others.  

When you were a child what typically did your family do on Sundays?  How has this impacted your life for good or ill?

 

DIG – Look into the Bible’s “story” to discover insights that will help your understanding.

Read John 4:1-26 then answer the following questions.

1. What is significant about this story taking place in Samaria?
2. Since “nice girls” didn’t come to draw water at noontime (the 6^th hour), why do you think Jesus risked his reputation to ask a favor of this woman?
3. In this story, what does Jesus mean by telling her that God is interested in worshipers who will do so in “spirit and truth”?
4. Why wasn’t the place of worship so important? 
5. What is significant about Jesus choosing this woman as the first person to whom he revealed himself? (see vv. 39-41)
6. What kind of worshippers does God desire?  (read Philippians 3:3b)  How does this impact you?
7. What kind of attitudes are we to exhibit when we worship? (see Hebrews 10:22)  What does this say to you about the way you go to worship?

REFLECT – Here you apply the “story” of the scriptures to your own life; to take personal inventory and share with others what you will do about it.

1. Define worship in your own words, or as defined in the message. 
2. Did you gain any new insights into worship as a result of this study?  What can you do to better prepare for and engage in worship in the future?
3. Who is the primary one for whom worship is designed?  (see Revelation 4:9) How does this impact how you view worship?
4. What do you expect when you come to worship?  How do your expectations affect how you feel about worship?  What might you improve to make worship more vital?
5. When you leave worship how do you normally feel?  How does this compare to the way Isaiah felt (see Isaiah 6:1-8)? 
6. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “No one can truly experience the gift of God’s grace and not respond with thanksgiving and celebration.”  Why do you feel the way you do? 
7. Is there any thing you need to change in the way you worship?  (note Psalm 34:1-4)

 

Special Assignment:  Read Revelation 4 and 5 out loud; As you do so try to picture the scene. What emotions do you think John had?  What emotions would you have in a similar experience?  The next time you worship the Lord consider seriously who it is you are worshipping and His expectations of your worship.

 

Additional Insight:     A Further Look at Worship 

What is worship?

• Worship is the response of one in relationship to the Creator. (Romans 4:19,21)
• Worship is adoring God for who He is by nature – attributing worth to Him. Isaiah 6:1-8
• Worship is ministering unto God. (Deuteronomy  10:8;21:5)  Worship is for God, if we feel better it is a byproduct.
• Worship transforms the worshipper as we gain perspective. (Acts 4:24-31) By looking into the face of a holy God and magnifying His name we see ourselves and our situation more clearly.

 

Why is it important to worship regularly?

• To follow Jesus’ example – Luke 4:16
• To follow the example of the early church – Acts 20:7
• For accountability and fellowship – Hebrews 13:17
• To express appreciation.
• To grow through instruction, inspiration and comfort.

 

How can we be a blessing in worship? I Chronicles 29:20; Nehemiah 9:5

• Come to give – Worship is a verb, it calls for participation:  Give your heart, your will, your praise, your offering.  Psalm 103:1,2,20-22
• Have Samuel’s attitude – “Speak Lord, your servant hears.”  Desire direction, “what will you have me to do” – obedience.
• Reach out and touch – Realize the “Body” and your part in it.  Practice the “one another” exhortations, such as love one another, bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, etc.

 

Some Blessings of Praise.

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that proclaiming the glory of his name." Hebrews 13:15-13:15

• Lighter loads and less frustration - People who praise God for His power, sovereignty and omnipotence do not have to carry around excess burdens and frustrations. When we praise God during times of distress, disappointment or difficulty we are able to completely give all the weight of adverse circumstances to the Lord’s care.
• Lessened Guilt - Those who praise God are released from the burden of guilt when they experience the freedom of God’s forgiveness and cleansing from all our unrighteousness. Praising God for His ability to free us from the tyranny, power and chains of sin enables us to give us our negativity toward ourselves and others as well.
• Lessened Judgmentalism - Greater praise helps us realize that we too easily become disappointed with ourselves and others because of our critical sinful nature. When we praise God it helps us realize that judgment is from the Lord and not our business.
• Lessened complaints - When we praise God for who He is and what He has done we reduce the tendency to murmur and complain about our hurt feelings. Praise reinvigorates us with a renewed sense of appreciation for how He helps us overcome evil with good instead of allowing evil to overcome us.
• Lessened stress - People who consistently praise God are less apt to complain about God’s training methods. When we praise God we will be more submissive, content and yielded to His will.
• Lessened weakness - Praising God gives us greater confidence in God’s ability to be greater than any problem. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) “Greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world." (I John 4:4)
• Lessened uncertainty - When we praise God we have a renewal of all His blessed assurances. Paul wrote, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." (Eph. 1:3) Praise helps us be reminded of the unlimited resources we have in Christ.
• Lessened need to understand - When we praise God we are less insistent on our right to know why certain things happen to us. We are less apt to react with anger, bitterness or worry when we turn all our perplexities over to the Lord. Paul wrote, "I am perplexed but not in distress ... always bearing in my body the death of the Lord Jesus so that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in my body." (2 Corinthians 4:4-8)
• Lessened need to depend on our own resources - We can praise God and experience less of a need to rely on ourselves, our resources and our people because we know the promise is true, "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians. 4:19)
• Lessened need to feel in control - Praising God helps us gain greater confidence in God’s ability to take us through any dark valley. We do not have to pretend to be such a self-sufficient, rugged individual or stoic. We do not have to plagued ourselves with questions like, "What did I do wrong?" Some things are beyond our ability to control. We do not always have to analyze all the reasons why things did not go perfectly.

 

(This section on the blessings of praise is from Paul Fritz – SermonCentral)