
The first 3 commands we covered earlier:
COMMAND #1: DON'T MAKE GOD'S HOUSE (YOUR BODY) A DEN OF THIEVES. (JN.2:13-18)
COMMAND #2: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. (JN.3:3-7)
COMMAND #3: GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. (JN.4:1-2)
The fourth command is in Jn.4:23-24.
COMMAND #4: WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
John 4:23-24 ESV But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (24) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
The Greek for worship in Jn.4:24 is "as a dog licks his master's hand."
Worship is a great word but greatly misunderstood and misused. In fact it is one of the spiritual disciplines which we deceive ourselves and rob God of.
1. WORSHIP IS NOT A PLACE:
The Lord Jesus Christ was teaching that worship was "not a PLACE" such as the temple for the Jews or the temple for the Samaritans. True worship is in a place called "Spirit and Truth."
However, today we have brought the term worship back into the church building as being in a place. Somewhere and sometime the body of Christ has got to get their terminology correct. We say, "well, why are you so picky, you know what I mean?" But then we want to quote the verses about our words have blessings or curses, and life and death tied to them. What's wrong with using the right words and teach people correctly? Having said that let me say. We do not GO TO CHURCH. We are the church that goes to a building.
2. WORSHIP IS NOT A MUSIC TEAM OR MUSIC SONG:
It gets under my skin every time I hear the phrase "worship team" or "worship song" or "worship time." Music has nothing to do with worship and worship has nothing to do with music.
Music, singing, and dancing are three of over 20 expressions of PRAISE in the Scriptures and should not be called "worship." When we use the term worship for a music team or a song we sing we have robbed God of worship in Spirit and Truth which He calls for. We have substituted WORSHIP with one expression of PRAISE. We have even limited praise down to one form and that is singing.
So what is worship if it is not a place, a song, or music? To be continued.
Because of the length of this one it will be continued in PART 6.