OUR ROLE IN WORSHIP
(John 4:19-26)
Introduction: Our text points out that we must worship in Spirit and in Truth. It is a purposeful, willful act. Just coming to the building and sitting through a service does not mean that we have worshipped. It is an individual responsibility. When we come to a place of worship, we have a responsibility to God that we must fulfill or be displeasing to Him.
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in Heaven, and you upon the earth; therefore let your words be few."A. Eccles. 5:1,2
I. How Do We Worship Acceptably?
A. Be a participator—Not just a spectator.
1. Sit toward the front and center. It helps the atmosphere of worship so much. Thank you for helping us with this.
2. Sing and Pray with the spirit and understanding (I Cor. 14:15).
3. Take the Lords’ supper in a spirit of love, respect and honor for Christ, our Redeemer (I Cor. 11:23-29).
4. Give of our financial means as we have been prospered (I Cor. 16:1,2).
5. Come with the intent to study God’s word in the classroom and in the worship assembly. We can participate in the sermon by listening carefully, following the scriptures and taking notes. Daniel uses the power point to help us follow. The brief outlines that are handed out should help us to follow the lesson and study further on our own.
B. Show Christ The Love He Has Shown You.
1. Don’t be rude or disrespectful to Christ by having our minds on things of the world rather than Him (Matt. 6:33).
2. Give your life as well as your worship to Christ (Romans. 12:1,2).
3. Honor Christ with your worship. Worship Him to the best of your ability (James 1:16-18).
4. Family responsibility: We need to train our children and set before them the example of how a Christian should live (Eph. 6:1-4).
C. Appreciate Our Opportunities To Worship.
1. Some people would give anything they own to be here today. In some countries, an assembly like this would be illegal.
2. Let us appreciate the freedoms and opportunities we have and truly worship the Lord.
3. We should not take these blessings for granted. On the other hand, we have the responsibility to use them wisely.
II. We Must Worship In Truth (John 8:31,32; 14:6; 17:17).
A. Truth is available to us, but we must apply it individually to our lives.
B. There is no human event that is more important than our worship of God.
C. No one can make us worship and no one can keep us from worshipping.
D. Each of us will give an account to God for our worship. It must be done in Spirit and in truth (II Cor. 5:10).
III. When We Leave Here Today:
A. Hopefully, we have worshipped today rather than just having been to a place of worship? There is a lot of difference.
B. It all depends on us individually.
C. Let us all resolve to do what we can to worship our God in a manner that would please Him.
Robert L. Brown
Great Oaks Church of Christ