Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24)
John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit
and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth.
I. DEFINING BIBLICAL WORSHIP
A. Sometimes, when clarifying, it is helpful to describe what things aren’t. Worship in “spirit and truth” isn’t a ritualistic,
emotional formalism that we can schedule at will. It isn’t a “good warm-up” for the rest of service. It isn’t a genre or a style
of music. It also isn’t mostly about us - how we felt or what we received.
B. Although the Hebrew and Greek definitions of the word “worship” express the idea of prostrating oneself before God in
reverence, whether bowing, kneeling down or kissing the hand, the old English transliteration of the word, spelled
‘weorthscipe’ highlights the fact that we express homage to God, because He is “worthy” of it. Hence the modern word
“worship” or “worth-ship”.
Psalm 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
C. When considering what worship in “spirit and truth” is, it must be understood that “worship” is much more than simple
outward expressions of bowing, kneeling or kissing the hand, but is first and foremost an inward reality that flows from a
revelation of who God is by seeing His worth or worthiness, which is then expressed and reflected outwardly in the life
(Song 1:12; Ex. 34:5-8; Josh. 5:13-14; Matt. 14:22-33; Rev. 5).
Rev. 5:8 when He had taken the scroll, …the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb… 9 And they sang a new
song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God
by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…”
D. Think of the internal reality of the knowledge of God (revelation of worth, i.e. intimacy) being like precious oil and the
response of worship (bowing, singing, clapping, dancing, etc.) like a sweet smelling fragrance that proceeds from it. In
other words, fragrance (outward expression) only exists, because there is substance (the intimate knowledge of God),
even as the fragrance of spikenard only exists, because its oil is present. The fragrance isn’t the oil, even as outward
expression alone isn’t worship, but rather expresses it.
Song 1:12 While the King is at His table, my (oil of) spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
II. THE HEART OF WORSHIP - ATTRIBUTING WORTH
A. At the center of worship is a heart of gratitude that is rooted in living revelation of God’s great worth. From such a
heart, worship flows effortlessly (Song 1:12; Ezek. 44:16-17). Therefore, if we find that our fervency in worship is waning,
it is the inevitable evidence of a lack of the knowledge of God’s worth. Even unbelievers worship (time, energy, money)
that which they attribute great worth to (Rev. 13:4, 8).
Revelation 13:4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying,
“Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
B. Although foolish to the world (2 Cor. 2:14), extravagant worship is the only appropriate response from the heart that
sees God’s great worth. Even Jesus’ own disciples saw extravagance as a waste. The Lord will ultimately vindicate all
those who live lives of extravagant worship before Him (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:4).
Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an
alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were
some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?” 5 …And they criticized her
sharply… 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will
also be told as a memorial to her.”
C. Therefore, merely playing or singing “worship songs” may have nothing to do with authentic worship at all, if we aren’t
honoring God from the heart. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees of His day for dishonoring God and His Word through their
traditions, while masquerading as those who worship Him (Matt. 5:23-24).
Matt. 15:7 Hypocrites! …8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is
far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me…' (Isa. 1:11-15; Matt. 23)
D. The Heart of Worship - http://www.theheartofworship.org/stories.shtml
Matt Redman 1999 Thankyou Music (Admin. By EMI Christian Music Publishing)
When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring, something that's of worth, that will bless Your heart
King of endless worth, no one could express, how much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours, every single breath
I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You, all about You Jesus
I'm sorry Lord, for the thing I've made it, when it's all about You, all about You Jesus
I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what You have required
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear, You're looking into my heart
III. WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
A. To worship in “spirit” means partnering with the Holy Spirit as He enlightens and influences a believer’s heart, causing
an authentic flow of love, adoration, gratitude and devotion to ascend to God (2 Cor. 2:9-12).
B. To worship in “truth” means to express that love, adoration, gratitude and devotion to God in a way that is authentically
from our heart, while at the same time, remains true to God’s revelation of the Divine order of worship as found in His
Word. Jesus said that if we love Him we will keep His commands (John 14:21).
C. “Thus ‘worship in spirit and truth’ involves the believer honoring and adoring God by the quickening of the Holy Spirit
and according to the Word of the Lord. The Spirit and the Word are both needed in proper worship. Both must be there.
If the Spirit is not there, then worship is dead, lifeless. It is according to the letter, which kills. All becomes empty form. If
the Word is not there, then the worship can become mere sentimentalism; emotionalism and can lead to fanaticism.
There is need of the Spirit and the Word in true biblical worship.” – Kevin Conner, The Tabernacle of David, pg. 151
IV. BIBLICAL WORSHIP INVOLVES SACRIFICE
A. First Mention Principle – This principle of interpretation basically states that the first time that something is mentioned
in Scripture, it carries with it a meaning that is consistent throughout the whole of Scripture and “seed truths” that won’t
disappear, but will continue to progressively grow and unfold.
Gen. 22:1 “Abraham! …Take your only son Isaac, whom you love, …go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a
burnt offering…” 5 The Lad and I will go yonder and worship… (Gen. 22:1-10)
B. You see, the foundation of true biblical worship involves “sacrifice”; they are inseparable. David understood this when
he desired to erect an altar and worship the Lord. As King, he was offered the land for free, as well as, the animals to
sacrifice to God, but David refused it all and demanded to pay the full price. He said that he would “not offer God
offerings with that which cost him nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24). He knew that “acceptable worship” to God wasn’t cheap, but
required something costly - a sacrifice. This was the foundation of the House of Prayer; which God later referred to as a
“House of Sacrifice” (2 Chr. 7:12).
C. True biblical worship requires something of real value to be given to God based upon His great worth, which is infinite.
Therefore, our worship is more qualitative than quantitative (Mk. 12:41-44; Lk. 21:1-4).
Luke 21:1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow
putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all (more worth to God); 4
for all these out of their abundance (little value) have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the
livelihood that she had.” (Mark 12:41-44)
V. BECOMING A LIVING SACRIFICE OF WORSHIP
A. What greater sacrifice of worship could we give an infinite God than the offering of our own lives? The Twenty-Four
Elders see this with unhindered clarity (Rev. 4:11). In fact, Paul teaches that because we have been delivered from so
great a death, through the sacrifice of Jesus, that we should offer ourselves to God, as being alive from the dead, a living
and holy sacrifice, which is our reasonable service (Rom. 6:13; 12:1).
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice,
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (reasonable NKJV) service of worship. - NASB
B. The Apostle Paul made giving himself to God as a bondservant the single focus of his life (Deut. 15:12-18), as did
Timothy (Phil. 1:1), Epaphras (Col. 4:12), James (1:1), Peter (2 Pet. 1:1) and Jude (Jude 1:1). Paul defines a bondservant
of Christ as one who does the will of God from the heart (Eph. 6:6).
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering…
C. Choosing a lifestyle of true worship (John 4:23-24), which demands the sacrifice of self to be authentic, is the very
means by which Christ is formed in us, diffusing His beautiful fragrance of worship to God and the world around us
(2 Cor. 2:14). The more we give of ourselves, the more we get of Him!
Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life …I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
VI. BEHOLDING THE LAMB OF GOD – OUR GREAT EXAMPLE OF WORSHIP
A. Jesus is our example of a selfless life of authentic worship before the Father. His thoughts, His motives, His words,
emotions and His actions were all in perfect unity with the Father’s will at all times (John 3:34; 5:30; 12:49-50; 14:10; 17:8).
As we behold Him, the Lamb of God we are changed (1 Pet. 2:5; 2 Cor. 3:18).
Eph. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God... 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (1 Peter 2:21-24)
B. Jesus was a living sacrifice of selfless obedience during His life and in His death. To this end He was born and to this
end He died – a perfect, sweet-smelling and acceptable sacrifice to the Father (Song 1:3; 2 Cor. 2:14-15). The first
sacrifice of worship was instituted by the Lamb of God Himself (Gen. 3:21).
Isaiah 53:10 …When You make His soul an offering for sin 12 …He poured out His soul unto death.
Hebrews 10:5 …He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt
offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come – In the volume of the book it
is written of Me – To do Your will, O God.’ ” (Psalm 40:6-8)
C. I believe that Jesus greatest act of worship upon the earth was in the Garden of Gethsemane (meaning-oil press),
where under great pressure, He fully surrendered Himself to God against all natural tendencies in His humanity to
question, resist or draw back.
Matt. 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane… 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face,
and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will…
” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless
I drink it, Your will be done.” 44 So He …went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
(Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46)
D. He was in absolute turmoil and agony to the point of sweating great drops of blood over the decision to fully surrender
His will to the Father’s (Luke 22:44). Nevertheless, “He came …to do the Father’s will”. He is the ultimate worshipper
(Temple, Priest and Lamb 1 Pet. 2:5), which we are all to look towards on our personal journey of authentic worship
(Heb. 12:1-2). Jesus is “worship in spirit and truth”!
Luke 22:44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood…
Matthew 26:38 …“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
E. Unconditionally doing the will of God from the heart is the pinnacle of worship (Eph. 6:6). It is learned and exercised
like a muscle through the deliberate daily choosing of the Father’s will above our own desires.
Heb. 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected,
He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him… (Heb 2:10)
F. Perfecting Obedience (3 Stages) - 1) When it’s easy and we want to, 2) When it’s difficult and we want to, 3) When it’s
difficult and we don’t want to. We desire another option, but still obey from the heart. When we become “worship”, the
whole of our life becomes “worship” as well (Gen. 4:3-7; Jn. 4:23-24).