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Worship 101
John 4
Big idea:
Worship at its heart, is missional. You
cannot separate worship from
evangelism. “Missions exists because
worship doesn’t.” (John Piper)
Main Points:
Jesus chooses what to us would appear to
be the wrong place, wrong time and wrong
person for His seminar on worship. Why
would Jesus choose to teach on worship in a
place like this? Because worship at its heart
is missional. We are recruiting pagans to
join the choir to sing the praises of God.
Jesus is on a hunt for worshippers, and he is
drawing one in by means of a Gospel
presentation. Jesus transforms a sinner into
John 4
Big idea:
Worship at its heart, is missional. You
cannot separate worship from
evangelism. “Missions exists because
worship doesn’t.” (John Piper)
Main Points:
Jesus chooses what to us would appear to
be the wrong place, wrong time and wrong
person for His seminar on worship. Why
would Jesus choose to teach on worship in a
place like this? Because worship at its heart
is missional. We are recruiting pagans to
join the choir to sing the praises of God.
Jesus is on a hunt for worshippers, and he is
drawing one in by means of a Gospel
presentation. Jesus transforms a sinner into
a God worshipper before our very eyes.
There are four errors that controlled this woman’s thinking and prevented her from belief.
Jesus shatters these obstacles to belief and implanted into this woman faith.
Error #1 – Truth about Eternal Life
(v. 9) Jesus answers her, but ignores her question. “If you knew” Implies that she doesn’t
know something. What is it? She doesn’t know about the "gift of God.” Romans 6:23
reveals that “the gift of God is eternal life.” C.S. Lewis talks about "Bios” (perishable) life
and “Zoe” (imperishable) life. When “Zoe” life happens in a person, it is as radical as
stone coming to life. If Michelangelo’s David came to life, that would be newsworthy. This
is what salvation is — it is bringing life to that which is dead. In our unredeemed state, we
were the breathing dead. “Bios” — without “Zoe.” This woman was about to be given “Zoe”
life.
Error #2 – Truth about Jesus Christ
At first she believed Jesus was just a Jew. Then she came to see him as a lord (v. 11: one
with authority). Then she understood Jesus as a prophet (v. 18: one who speaks with
God's authority). Then she came to see him as “messiahish” (v. 25) — she is thinking:
“This couldn't be the Messiah, could it?” In the end she accepts him as the Messiah. You
will never obtain eternal life until you have come to grips with who Christ is. There is
salvation in no other name. If Jesus wasn't Messiah, then He was either a liar or a lunatic.
Error #3 – Truth about Her Sin
(vv. 16–17) “I don’t have a husband” — Ok. You’re telling the truth, but you are still lying.
It is true you don’t have a husband, but you've married five, and the one you are sleeping
with now is not your husband.
Concealed sin empowers bogus worship. We can fake it and people will think we are
worshipping, but how foolish is that. God knows your heart! Worship happens when the
cover comes off. Where sin is being concealed, there is no possibility of true worship.
Concealed sin avoids the light of the Gospel. Jesus is drawing her into the light, but
her sins will fight against it. She tries a desperate diversion (v. 20).
Concealed sin is the very cause of soul blindness to the Gospel. The Gospel
cannot proceed unless the issue of sin is exposed and dealt with.
Error #4 – Truth about Worship
He informed her about her bogus religion. The worship wars between the Jews and the
Samaritans completely miss the heart of worship. Worship is not about where, it is about
whom and how. But In the Old Testament, the “where” of worship was very important. In
fact all of the minute external details of worship were meticulously spelled out. Jesus is
saying, "There is a change now that I am here" (v. 23).
True worship is not dependent on a location or any externals like that. Worship is about a
soul that delights in God — a soul that engages his head (truth) and his heart (spirit) in
loving God. Religion may well be the number one obstacle to true worship. We are
seemingly forever focusing on the externals, details, preferences, and the non-essentials
of our religious traditions. Worship is the soul's God-ward response to God’s grace as it
permeates and reshapes our lives.
There are four errors that controlled this woman’s thinking and prevented her from belief.
Jesus shatters these obstacles to belief and implanted into this woman faith.
Error #1 – Truth about Eternal Life
(v. 9) Jesus answers her, but ignores her question. “If you knew” Implies that she doesn’t
know something. What is it? She doesn’t know about the "gift of God.” Romans 6:23
reveals that “the gift of God is eternal life.” C.S. Lewis talks about "Bios” (perishable) life
and “Zoe” (imperishable) life. When “Zoe” life happens in a person, it is as radical as
stone coming to life. If Michelangelo’s David came to life, that would be newsworthy. This
is what salvation is — it is bringing life to that which is dead. In our unredeemed state, we
were the breathing dead. “Bios” — without “Zoe.” This woman was about to be given “Zoe”
life.
Error #2 – Truth about Jesus Christ
At first she believed Jesus was just a Jew. Then she came to see him as a lord (v. 11: one
with authority). Then she understood Jesus as a prophet (v. 18: one who speaks with
God's authority). Then she came to see him as “messiahish” (v. 25) — she is thinking:
“This couldn't be the Messiah, could it?” In the end she accepts him as the Messiah. You
will never obtain eternal life until you have come to grips with who Christ is. There is
salvation in no other name. If Jesus wasn't Messiah, then He was either a liar or a lunatic.
Error #3 – Truth about Her Sin
(vv. 16–17) “I don’t have a husband” — Ok. You’re telling the truth, but you are still lying.
It is true you don’t have a husband, but you've married five, and the one you are sleeping
with now is not your husband.
Concealed sin empowers bogus worship. We can fake it and people will think we are
worshipping, but how foolish is that. God knows your heart! Worship happens when the
cover comes off. Where sin is being concealed, there is no possibility of true worship.
Concealed sin avoids the light of the Gospel. Jesus is drawing her into the light, but
her sins will fight against it. She tries a desperate diversion (v. 20).
Concealed sin is the very cause of soul blindness to the Gospel. The Gospel
cannot proceed unless the issue of sin is exposed and dealt with.
Error #4 – Truth about Worship
He informed her about her bogus religion. The worship wars between the Jews and the
Samaritans completely miss the heart of worship. Worship is not about where, it is about
whom and how. But In the Old Testament, the “where” of worship was very important. In
fact all of the minute external details of worship were meticulously spelled out. Jesus is
saying, "There is a change now that I am here" (v. 23).
True worship is not dependent on a location or any externals like that. Worship is about a
soul that delights in God — a soul that engages his head (truth) and his heart (spirit) in
loving God. Religion may well be the number one obstacle to true worship. We are
seemingly forever focusing on the externals, details, preferences, and the non-essentials
of our religious traditions. Worship is the soul's God-ward response to God’s grace as it
permeates and reshapes our lives.
| Feb. 15, 2009 |
| Pastor's Notes |
Key Questions:
- How does the truth about God's
bringing you from death to life affect
your life? - How is it that Jesus can not be
viewed simply as a good man but not
the Messiah? - What are some sins easily concealed
that prevent true worship? - Are there any steps we can take as
Christians to help us prevent worship-
ending sins from gaining a foothold in
our lives? - What are some religious obstacles to
true worship. - What can we do to get back to the
heart of true worship?