Worship (2)

The Seriousness of Worship?

What is worship?• Προσκυνέω (proskuneo)

“to make obeisance, do reverence toward” (Vine’s)

• Σέβω (sebo), To express in gestures, rites and ceremonies one’s allegiance

• εὐσέβεια, (eusebia)- To demonstrate awesome respect toward God, piety, godliness

• Λατρεύω (latreuo) primarily, a word that means to serve. Often associated with worship

Worship is:•Sacred - a holy act.•A way to draw near to God•A way to give back to God•Deliberate

Worship in Spirit and In Truth•John 4:23-24•A text where Jesus explains

what is involved in TRUE worship

Worship in Spirit and In Truth•John 4:23-24• True worship includes a Subject to

be worshipped• GOD is to be that subject• Idolatry is foolishness•Exodus 20:2-4•Luke 4:8

Worship in Spirit and In Truth•John 4:23-24• True worship includes a

worshipper• While nature declares His glory

(Psa. 19:1-4), true worship involves one who deliberately prostrates before Him

•John 4:23

Worship in Spirit and In Truth• John 4:23-24• True worship is in spirit• Involving a proper attitude• We must have a proper attitude!•Matt. 15:8-9•1 Cor. 11:26-29•2 Cor. 9:7•Col. 3:16•1 Cor. 14:15

Worship in Spirit and In Truth•John 4:23-24• True worship is in truth• Action that follows what He wants.• Man today seeks to follow God with

conditions or to please himself. • True worship respects God’s

instructions•John 4:19-24

Worship in Spirit and In Truth• John 4:23-24• True worship is in truth• Many examples of rejected religion in OT• Cain rejected – Gen. 4:3-5• Nadab and Abihu rejected – Lev. 10:1-2• Jeroboam rejected – 1 Kings 12:25-33• Israel at Mt. Sinai rejected – Exodus 32• Uzziah rejected (2 Chron. 26:16-23)•God wants what

He prescribes!

Seriousness of Worship• We are worshipping the ONE True

God•Exodus 20:2-3, Deut. 6:13-15,

• Joel 2:27• He is our Creator Gen. 1:1Acts 17:24

•2 Pet. 3:5-7

Seriousness of Worship• He demands reverence• To show respect to a person on

the basis of his high status. (L&N)• Profound respect and esteem

mingled with fear and affection, as for a holy being or place (Webster)

Seriousness of Worship• He demands reverence• The fear of God• 2 Types of fear - Being afraid and

being respectful•Luke 1:50•Acts 13:16• Our goal is to serve

Him out of reverence, NOT because we are afraid of Him

Seriousness of Worship• He demands reverence•Psalm 89:7 “God is greatly to be

feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”

•Psalm 111:9, “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.”

Seriousness of Worship• He demands reverence•Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore,

since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

•Revelation 5:9-14

Seriousness of Worship• Reverence demonstrated•Gen. 17:3, Abraham feel on his face •Ex. 3:5-6, Moses told to take off his

shoes – Holy ground• Lev. 10:3, “By those who come near

Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.”

Seriousness of Worship•Reverence demonstrated• Many bowed before Jesus

realizing who He was

•Matt. 21:13, Jesus cast out money changers twice

•Acts 5:11

Seriousness of Worship• When we assemble to worship Him!• It is NOT a time to play, socialize, be

entertained. IT is a serious occasion!• It is NOT a casual occasion!• Many positions of reverence in scripture

– Luke 18:13, Neh. 8:4-6, 1 Tim. 2:8, Luke 9:16, etc.

Is your worship in Spirit and in Truth?