Scripture: John 4:3-19

C.I.: A Force for Living!

Last Sunday we began a new series… - Jesus had a purpose for His church. – Today…!

I. Worship: It is How We “R.E.A.C.H.” God!

A. Worship: Defined & Defended (John 4:20-24)

1. Defined: “The decision to come into the presence of God” (vs. 20-22)
a. Relate & explain the first part of John 4.
b. (vs. 20-22), “‘Our fathers worshiped in this mountain and you people …. – You worship that which you do not know, we worship that which we know, for salvation is from….’”
1) Coming into God’s presence – used to be a matter of a person’s physical location.
2) Yet Jesus is showing her that a time is coming – when physical location won’t be the issue.
3) But in saying this – Jesus shows that God does not accept ALL worship, “You worship…!”

2. Defended: If our worship is to be “True worship” – then we must spiritually into His presence!
a. (vs. 23-24), “But an hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers shall worship….”
1) “True worship” is demonstrated by being correct on the inside (spirit) & outside (truth).
2) “Spirit” = Eph. 4:23, “be renewed in the spirit of your mind”; “Truth” = Jn. 17:17.
1) Thus, worship that will be a force in our lives – is one in which on both the inside (with all our heart) & the outside (obedience to His will) – we come into the presence of God
b. We know that worship “in truth” = Obedience. – But what does worship “in spirit” mean?

B. When We R.E.A.C.H. God “in spirit,” It Will Rock Our World!

1. Coming into God’ Presence with Repentance.
a. If our worship doesn’t change our lives - then it is worthless (for it is not what He is seeking!)
b. Only when our hearts are broken before His throne – can our worship truly be pleasing unto Him.
1) Isaiah – (Isa. 6:1-10), “It was in the year of King Uzziah’s death…!”
2) David – (Psa. 51:17), “The sacrifices of God area broken spirit; a broken & contrite heart..”
3) Nehemiah – (Neh. 1:6), “We have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.”
c. After each case – God was able to use these men – as a dynamic force in the world!

2. Coming into God’s Presence with Eagerness
a. Worship is not an activity to be endured – worship is a relationship to be embraced!
1) (Psa. 122:1), “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
2) Even when our reason for coming before God is over a difficult matter – we should always be eager to bring it – knowing that He alone can help – (Heb. 4:16), “Let us draw near….”
b. Not only individually – but our eagerness should extend to being with each other – in the
presence of God – (Matt. 6:10; Acts 2:41-42), “Our Father…give us…forgive us…lead us…!”

3. Coming into God’s Presence with Acceptance
a. Worshiping God in spirit – means we are willing to accept His will in our lives!
1) It is not about getting God to change His will - but in molding our will to His own!
2) (Job 1:21), “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name….”
3) (Matt. 26:39), “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I….”

b. Acceptance, however, is not spiritual resignation – but gratitude for all His gifts.
1) What was the worst thing that ever happened? – What as the best thing…? (the cross!)
2) (Rom. 8:28), “We know that GOD CAUSES all things to work together to good….”
3) No wonder the Bible says, - (Phil. 4:6), “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving – let your requests be made known to God.”
4) We must therefore, come into God’s presence – accepting and thanking Him for His gifts!!!

4. Coming into God’s Presence with a Contribution
a. Some may now be thinking, “I knew preacher that you would eventually get around to money!”
1) “Contribution” doesn’t mean “$$” – its simply a voluntary gift (which can be lots of things!)
2) (Rom. 12:1), “I urge you, therefore, brethren, that you present your bodies as a living….”
3) (I Cor. 4:7), “What do you have that you did not receive? – But if you received it, why do you boast as though it had not been given to you.” – TIME, ABILITY, POSSESSIONS, etc.!
4) Thus, everything we have – is a gift to us from God.

b. Can you then picture a person “holding out on God”?!
1) Just imagine someone saying, “I don’t want to bring my spouse or children into God’s
presence. Leave them outside! – I don’t want to bring my time, talents or possessions into
His presence. Leave them outside as well!” (Can you imagine that???)
2) It happened – but it wasn’t pretty - (Acts 5:3), “Why has Satan filled your heart to keep back
some of the price of the land? … – You have not lied to men but to God.”
3) So when we enter into the presence of God – with everything we have (e.g., our
relationships, time, abilities, possessions, even our lives) – it will rock our world!!!

5. Coming into God’s presence with Humility (Jms. 4:6-10).
a. Humility in the presence of God – determines our choices – (Jms. 4:6-7), “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. – Submit therefore to God..”

b. Humility teaches us that worship is “holy ground” – “not a playground” – (vs. 8-9), “Draw near
to God … - Cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double- minded. – Be
miserable & weep & mourn; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom

c. Humility in the presence of God - allows Him to bless us – (v. 10), “Humble yourselves in the
presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

So today in your worship – did you R.E.A.C.H. God??! Did we desire to enter His presence?

Worship “in spirit” – is the force which we get us to focus – on our need to teach others about Jesus!!!

Perhaps you would like to be introduced to God via salvation…!