496. JOH 4:24. THE NATURE OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP

Joh_4:24. The Nature Of Acceptable Worship

(FOR OPENINGS AND ANNIVERSARIES OF CHAPELS)

"God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."’97Joh_4:24.

The text is a part of the conversation which Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. This conversation related to the place of public worship, the Samaritans contending that they ought to worship God in mount Gerizim, a little way from Sychar, while the Jews demanded that Jehovah should alone be worshipped in the temple at Jerusalem, which had been expressly erected by his command, and for his glory. Jesus having admonished the woman of the darkness of their worship, and that the Jews were right in this controversy, he then observes, that the period of the new dispensation had arrived, when all material buildings and local places would be of no avail with God; that the spiritual reign of the Messiah was commencing, when God could only be acceptably worshipped by those who worshipped him in spirit and in truth. Our subject is the nature of acceptable worship.

I. Let us offer some general remarks on public worship.

II. Show the nature and importance of the direction given in the text.

I. Let us offer some general remarks on public worship.

1. All places are alike acceptable with God.

Once Jerusalem was the city of Jewish ordinances and festivals. Since then God has given no such distinctions. Judaism was the national religion, and Jerusalem the metropolis. Christianity is a religion for the world, and every part is hallowed ground to the true worshipper of the living God. The mountain-top, the deep glen, the secluded grove, the dreary desert, or the bosom of the ocean, are alike with God. The cathedral or the chapel, the room, the barn or the house, are alike, and equally consecrated by scriptural and spiritual worship. "Wherever two or three," &c.

2. Public worship should be conducted according to the word of God.

It is not what men may deem instructive or impressive, but it is what is clearly found in the word of God. This we have in two forms’97positive direction, and clear precedents. Now it will easily be seen that the public worship of the New Testament comprises the reading of the scriptures, preaching the gospel, singing hymns or psalms, public prayer, and fellowship in the holy supper. See Act_2:41.

Now these are the only public ordinances we read of in the New Testament as connected with the believing baptized followers of Jesus Christ. All more than these is will-worship, neither pleasing to God, nor useful to the worshipper.

3. Public worship is the duty and privilege of all believers.

Without it God would have no monument to his grace in the world. No visible church. No visible army. No visible family. Without it Christians would have no fellowship, and the ordinances would sink speedily into oblivion. Without it there would be no profession of Christ before men. But imperative as the duty is, the privilege, &c., is still greater. To be allowed to have interviews with God, to have audience with the King of kings. To go to his holy place, and bend before his glorious throne, and in his sacred presence. We may well exclaim, Will God indeed dwell with man, will the high and lofty one condescend to behold what is done upon the earth? O yes, God has said, "To that man will I look," &c.

4. Public worship requires due preparation, and right feelings in entering upon it.

Preparation is always requisite before we enter upon any thing of great importance. The student before his examination. The orator before his address The subject before he attends the levee of his sovereign. How much more here. If possible, services of the Saturday evening should have reference to it. Always the devotions of the Lord’s day morning. Watchfulness and prayer in our way to the sanctuary. Serious self-examination as to our motives and feelings. Conversation and reading should be of a spiritual character.

5. Public worship should be constant and regular.

(1) Constant as to the occasions of worship. Not once a day; not mere fair-weather worshippers.

(2) Regular as to time. Allow me to refer to the most common, notorious evil of late attendance. Many apologies, most of them exceedingly weak. Great toil on the preceding day. Family cares, &c. Would these prevent attention to your worldly business? No; the very person who speaks of toil, rises early six days, but cannot attend at eleven o’clock to worship God. Now, late attendance manifests lukewarmness of heart. It is a breach of the common rules of decency. It is injurious to others, and prevents them enjoying the services of God’s house. Such can only render a maimed sacrifice to God. A little care and resolution would prevent this great evil.

"Lord, how delightful ’tis to see

A whole assembly worship thee:

At once they sing, at once they pray,

They hear of heaven and learn the way."

6. Public worship should be followed by reflection and prayer.

The instructions must be treasured up. The emotions must be cherished. The seed received must be watered by our fervent prayers. All gossiping and idle conversation must be avoided, or Satan will easily steal away the seed out of our hearts. In this way only can our worship prove eminently useful. But we must now show,

II. The nature and importance of the directions contained in the text.

"God is a spirit," &c. That is, he is not a corporeal being, therefore not confined to any locality, &c.

1. God is a spirit, therefore he requires the worship of the mind.

The body may be brought before God, while the soul is far from his house and his service. God demands the soul, the intellect, the spiritual part of man The tongue, the eye, the ear, will not please God, without the understanding, the judgment, the will, the affections, &c. "For God is a spirit," &c.

2. God is an invisible spirit, and there fore he must be worshipped in the spirit of faith.

"We walk by faith, and not by sight." The Jews had the cloud of the divine presence. We have his solemn word of promise, "Wherever two or three are met together in my name," &c. Now faith must realize this and act upon it.

3. God is a great and glorious spirit, and therefore we must worship him in the spirit of reverence and fear.

"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of his saints," &c. Psa_89:1. See Isa_8:13, "Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."

4. God is a holy spirit, therefore we must worship him with contrition and prayer.

"O come, let us worship and bow down, and kneel before the Lord," &c. Psa_95:6, &c. Should we not feel and pray, "Lord, enter not into judgment," &c.

5. God is a merciful and gracious spirit, and therefore we should worship him in the spirit of confidence and hope.

"Let us come boldly," &c. "Having therefore boldness to enter," &c.

6. God is a spirit of infinite benevolence and love, and therefore we should worship him in the spirit of affection and delight.

"Lord, I have loved," &c. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts." "One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after," &c.

7. God is an omniscient spirit, and therefore we must worship him in sincerity and truth.

"Behold, thou desirest truth in the in ward parts," &c, Psa_51:6. "O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me," &c., Psa_139:1-6.

Application

1. Remember your constant unworthiness and need. Therefore draw nigh to God with reverence, lowliness, and godly fear.

2. Christ’s preciousness and merit. And in the exercise of confidence approach his footstool.

3. And the Spirit’s willingness to aid you if you seek his influences.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS