Preached:

LR
What Is Worship?
(Christianity 101: Lesson 6)

Introduction
1. Ted Waller, in his book Worship: Bowing at the Feet of God, began the book
with this poem:
Men worship
Reaching beyond themselves
To what they are becoming.

Men pretend
To worship God
And busy their lives with rituals
With which to hide their meanness,
Their cold indifference to justice, mercy,
And faith.

God calls me
To see again Jehovah,
To turn from self and shame
Upward to him who never ceases to care;
To worship him who calls from the highest.

Men do turn
From sin and shame.
Men do change and grow, look up and out,
Cause hope to grow in a forlorn child
And turn passion to useful ends.
Men do come back and worship God. (page 5)
2. Notice that, in that poem, we are reminded that (1) people worship, (2)
people can fake worship, (3) God wants proper worship, (4) and many do
worship properly.
3. If you were to go to a Christian bookstore or do an internet search for books
about worship, you would probably be blown away by the volume of volumes
that have been written on the subject, especially recently.
4. Books line shelves at stores that are supposed to pump up our worship, or
they are there to show us how to wake people up when we worship. It’s sad
that people even think we have to have books of that type.
5. Worship is one of those topics that everyone knows about, but few seem to
understand. If nothing else is true, it is true that those who call themselves
Christians worship in nearly every different style one could possibly think of.
6. But we want to answer this question: what does the Biblesay about New
Testament worship. What can we learn?
7. As we think of some Bible basics, we are going to have several lessons about
worship. Today, we are going to look at a general lesson about worship. Lord
willing, over the next few weeks, we will then have lessons on each of the
avenues of worship: prayer, singing, giving, communion, and Bible study. So,
today, we will not be looking specifically at any of those subjects, but we will
be trying to lay down the basics of worship.
8. I once heard a preacher say that no sermon on worship is worth anything
unless it contains John 4:24, so that will be our main text this morning. My
Wednesday night class has seen part of this outline before—when we studied
John 4. I say part, because, as I was looking back over my notes from that
class, I realized that I had forgotten one of the points.
9. Brother Wendell Winkler used to preach a sermon on John 4:24 that contained
these five points. I would like to use his five points this morning as we think
about worship that pleases God.
10.You’ll recall that, in John 4, Jesus is having a discussion with a Samaritan
woman. The subject turns to religion, and in verse 20, the woman mentions
the location of worship. Jews, of course, worshipped in the temple in
Jerusalem, while Samaritans worshipped on Mount Gerazim. Jesus, in verse
21, notes that the time is coming when the location would not matter. We
know that this occurred with the beginning of the church in Acts 2. Wherever
men are, they worship the Father on His day.
11.Then Jesus gives the great statement about worship. John 4:24: “God is spirit,
and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
12.Several years ago, brotherWinkler was asked to speak on a lectureship in
West Palm Beach, Florida, on the topic “Worship in Spirit and in Truth.” In
that lecture, he used his famous outline of John 4:24. I mention this because
I will be borrowing heavily from the written copy of that lecture as we study
worship this morning. Notice his five points from John 4:24 as we study
worship.
I. First, we have the Action: Worship
A. Notice two things from this. First, notice the meaning of the words
translated “Worship” in the NT. There are several, but only three
occurmore than a couple of times. These 3 give us a great picture of
what worship is, and what God desires.
1. First, we have the word proskuneo. 60 times this word is found in
the Greek NT, and it is always translated with the word “worship.”
In fact, proskuneo, or a form of that word, is the original Greek word
found in the conversation of John 4. The word is a compound of two
words: pros (which means, “toward”) and kuneo(which means “to
kiss”). According to Vine, “It is used of an act of homage or
reverence” (page 686). Vine says that it is literally translated, “To
 make obeisance, do reverence to.” It is always used in the NT with
the idea of reverencing something or someone.
2. Next, we have the word sebomai, which is found 10 times. It is
translated “worship” 6 times and similar words the other 4. Vine
says that this word stresses “the feeling of awe or devotion” one
feels in worship, and he says that the word can be more literally
translated “to revere.”
3. Finally, we have the word latreuo. 17 times this word is translated
with the word “serve,” and four times with the word “worship.”
Joseph Thayer says of this word, “In the NT to render religious
service or homage, to worship; to perform sacred services; to offer
gifts; to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his
worship.”
4. While all that might have been a bit technical, putting those words
together gives us a beautiful and accurate picture of what God
wants in our worship of Him. He wants reverence, awe, devotion,
homage, sacredness.” When we read the word “worship” in our
Bibles, that’s what we are reading about.
B. But there is more when we think of action. We can also note that
action implies participation.
1. A writer named Truebloodonce said of worship that it was “the
greatest spectator sport in America.” Friends, that ought not to be
the case! We are not passive in worship, it is an action. That
requires participation.
2. And, may I interject that, just because one attends does not mean
one has worshipped. It is true that Hebrews 10:25 commands us to
attend, but that is just the basic starting point. Being here is one
thing; worshipping is another.
3. Why did I take the time to review all those Greek words with you a
moment ago? It was not to make you think I was some scholar. It
was not to fill a couple of minutes. It was to remind you that all the
words translated “worship” in the NT are verbs. Worship is not
merely something you attend, it is something you do!
4. Hear these words from brotherWinkler: “There is only one person in
the audience—and that is God—with every worshiper being, as it
were, on the stage! Yet, so many go to worship as if they are going
to a theatrical performance; thus, assuming the role of a critical
audience, just waiting to be entertained and wondering how long
they will be detained. It is because of this false concept of worship
(being a spectator rather than a participant) that we often hear, ‘I
don’t get anything out of worship service anymore.’ Our speech
betrayethus! Brethren, we must come to understand that true
worship is a giving experience rather than a totally receiving
experience.” Amen!
II. Next in John 4:24, we have the Aim: God
A. Friends, it is worth repeating that we are not the audience in worship.
Our song leaders, prayer leaders, Scripture readers, and preachers are
not actors on a stage for our enjoyment. God is the sole member of
the audience, and we are the ones who are doing His bidding when we
worship!
B. The Bible is perfectly consistent in its teaching that true worship is
directed to God and to God alone.
1. As God gave the 10 commandments, remember the first two: “You
shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself
an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth
beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship
them or serve them” (Exodus 20:3-4a).
2. When Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4, beginning with verse 8,
we have this conversation recorded: “Again, the devil took Him to a
very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world
and their glory; and he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You,
if You fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go,
Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and
serve Him only’.” Here Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6 and 10 to
bring to our minds the idea that, no matter how powerful or
influential Satan may be, it is God Who is to be the object of our
worship.
3. The NT church understood this concept from the very beginning.
Acts 2:47 begins by telling us that the new Christians were
“praising God.”
4. In Acts 10:34-35, Peter spoke to the house of Cornelius, the first
Gentile convert. He said, “I most certainly understand now that
God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who
fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”
5. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a passage that, hopefully, we will be able to
devote some more time to in the future, but just take note of it now
and the emphasis placed on God in it: “Therefore, since we receive
a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which
we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;
for our God is a consuming fire.”
6. Finally, there are two reminders in Revelation about this. John, I
believe out of respect, fell at the feet of a messenger of God twice.
Notice the response in both cases:
a. Revelation 19:10: “Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he
said to me, ‘Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and
your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For
the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
 b. Revelation 22:8-9: “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these
things. And when I hard and saw, I fell down to worship at the
feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to
me, ‘Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your
brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this
book. Worship God.”
C. When we worship, we are worshipping God. Worship is first vertical;
aimed toward Him Who is in Heaven.
III. Briefly, in the third place, we notice the Absolute: Must
A. We “must worship.” The word “must” is a modifying word and adds
emphasis to the aim (God) as well as to the spirit and truth.
B. Worship in the proper way is not optional. It is a must.
C. Listen to this very direct comment from Leon Morris about this phrase:
“Jesus is not speaking of a merely desirable element in worship. He is
speaking of something that is absolutely necessary” (page 240).
D. While worship should never be something we just routinely or
mindlessly do because we have always done it, we must never forget
that it is a command of God. However, it is not just a command to do
something, we “must worship in spirit and in truth.”
IV. So, in the fourth, place, we can notice the Attitude: Spirit
A. Our hearts are the seat of our worship as we praise God. Worship is
not to be a dull, boring, lifeless time; it is to be an uplifting, energy-
filled, praising time as we seek to do our best for our Creator.
B. To say it bluntly, New Testament worship is spiritual.
1. First Peter 2:5 tells us to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
2. Hebrews 10:22 tells us to draw near to God with a true heart, in full
assurance of faith.
3. Our worship, specifically our singing, is to be with grace in our
hearts to the Lord, according to both Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians
5:19.
4. Hebrews 12:28 teaches us to serve God “acceptably with reverence
and godly fear.”
C. When we worship in spirit, we “will get something out of it,” because
we will be coming before God with our whole heart. Our attitude will
be one of reverence for Him, not me. While we will still do all things
decently and in order, each worshiper should have a heart filled with
joy, a mind filled with praise, and an attitude filled with gratitude as we
come before God.
D. When I have that kind of spirit:
1. It will cure Materialism, because I will desire to serve my Master.
2. It will cure Formalism, because I will desire to serve my Father.
3. It will cure Irreverence, because I will desire to serve the
Incomparable One.
4. It will cure Hollowness, because I will desire to serve the Holy One.
E. When I worship in spirit:
1. I will not sing, “Where He Leads Me I Will Follow,” and then avoid
telling my coworkers about Him.
2. I will not sing, “More about Jesus Would I Know,” and then sleep
through a sermon, or fail to stay for a Bible class.
3. I will not sing, “I’ll Cherish the Old Rugged Cross,” and then allow
my mind to wander as we partake of the Lord’s supper.
4. I will not sing, “All to Jesus I Surrender,” and then wonder what the
least amount I can give is.
5. I will not sing, “Wonderful Story of Love, Tell it To Me Again,” and
then fail to return on Sunday evening.
F. But, how do I have that kind of heart; that kind of attitude? I’m glad
you asked! Here are 9 suggestions:
1. Prepare your heart for worship. Many don’t expect anything when
they come to worship, and that’s exactly what they get. Prepare!
Get up early on Sunday morning and pray. Say a prayer Saturday
evening for the worship. On the way to services, listen to a sermon
or to good religious music. Your heart needs to be prepared to
worship God. We cannot just flip our hearts on like a switch.
2. Have a reverential atmosphere during worship. There are some
distractions that will occur, such as a baby crying or a problem with
the sound system. Those things are unavoidable. However, do
your best to never be the reason for the distraction, and you will
find yourself more involved in the true worship.
3. Remember that God is present. While God is omnipresent--
everywhere at all times (Proverbs 15:3), when we worship Him, we
should have a special awareness that He is present with us. This
will help us in several ways. If nothing else, it will help in the same
way as when the boss walks by your desk at work. You are
automatically more industrious!
4. Be excited about worship, and anticipate worship. Remember
David’s words? “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into
the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). We should never say, “I have
to go to worship;” instead, we should say, “I am privileged to
worship God.”
5. Don’t let the activities of worship become commonplace. Do your
best to keep your mind focused during all aspects of worship.
6. Spend time becoming familiar with texts, especially in the NT, that
deal with worship. Take time to study passages that deal with a
certain aspect of worship that you struggle with. If you struggle
during singing, study it. If you have trouble giving, read and study
the passages that deal with that avenue of worship.
 7. In a similar way, study Biblical examples of worship. Take time to
study Cain and Abel, Abraham, Noah, Isaiah, the Ethiopian eunuch,
and those in the early church.
8. Work at worship. Worship, being a verb, is not easy. It takes work.
Your mind has to be part of the process.
9. Finally, never substitute an hour of worship on Sunday for a life of
sin the rest of the week. Many of the OT prophets preached against
this, and God will not accept our attempt to do the same. It is
obedience that makes sacrifice acceptable (First Samuel 15:22).
Keep in mind that James taught us that a fountain cannot produce
both salt water and fresh water (James 3:12).
G. Have the proper attitude about worship. Worship in spirit.
V. Fifthly and finally, we see from John 4:24, that our worship must
be Appropriate: Truth.
A. Truth is always based upon a standard. North is north because it is
based upon a standard, a compass reading. Math problems are only
correct when they are solved according to the standard.
B. When it comes to matters of religion, the standard is truth, and God’s
word is truth (John 17:17).
C. All we do in life is to be done “in the name of [or by the authority of]
the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). Does it not make sense, then that
we should be extra cautious to do all things in worship of God by God’s
standard?
D. People often ask why we do, or don’t do, certain things as they involve
worship. There are some things that are added, taken away,or
changed that may make some “feel better” about worship. There are
two problems with that way of thinking. #1, I need to remember that
worship is not about me feeling good; it’s about pleasing God first and
foremost. #2, I have no right to add, remove, or change commands
that God has given in any arena of life, but most especially as they
relate to my worship offered to Him.
E. How can we possibly say we are reverencing and showing proper
respect to God when we do not do what He says?
F. Just a couple of examples will suffice.
1. Some might say, “You are a growing congregation. Why don’t you
worship on Saturday night to draw a larger crowd?” Answer: God
commanded in Acts 20:7 and many other passages that we worship
Him, especially in the eating of the Lord’s Supper, on the first day of
the week, Sunday.
2. Some might say, “Singing is fine, but it’s more exciting if you add
instruments of music. Why don’t you just make that small
change?” Answer: God commanded singing (Ephesians 5:19;
Colossians 3:16), and we are to offer the fruit of our lips, according
to Hebrews 13:15.
 3. Some might say, “Women are just as qualified as men to preach,
and many are more qualified. Why don’t you get with the times
and allow a woman to preach next week?” Answer: God has made
women just as smart and just as able to preach (and lead in other
acts of worship) as men, but He has required that men lead in
mixed worship settings. Women are to lead other women, children,
and in personal settings.
G. Friends, when you want to know why we do what we do, you can find
the answer in God’s Word! It is our standard; it alone is truth, and we
are to worship in truth.

Conclusion
1. Since I have borrowed heavily from Wendell Winkler’s writings this morning,
let me give you one more paragraph from him as we bring our lesson near a
close. My late friend wrote, “Worship should be the highlight of each week’s
activity for the Christian. Nothing should be permitted to stand in his way in
attending the worshipping assemblies. With grave alarm we must look upon
anything that disintegrates the worshipping assemblies of the local
congregations of God” (page 292).
2. One more scripture to bring our thoughts this morning to a close. Turn to
Second Chronicles 7, and we’ll read verses 1-3: “Now when Solomon had
finished praying (you can read the prayer in chapter 6, beginning with verse
12), fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the
sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. The priests could not
enter into the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s
house. All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the
Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the
ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord, saying, ‘Truly He is
good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting’.”
a. Question: when did the people bow and worship?
b. Answer: when they saw the glory of the Lord.
c. What is the application for us today? We must come to an understanding
of these facts:
(1) God is awesome.
(2) God desires our worship.
(3) God commands certain things in worship.
(4) We have no right to change those commands.
(5) We must have awe for God and worship Him.
(6) God is seeking true worshipers.
(7) Are you worshiping Him as your Lord, Creator, Master, and King?