In John 4, a woman meets Jesus at the well. She was in a bad situation morally & socially. She & Jesus begin a conversation about drinking water, but it quickly moves to the spiritual. Very quickly, the woman beings to realize there is something very unique about the person she is talking to. 4:19 – a prophet? In 4:20, she moves the discussion to the proper place of worship. She understood one of the most obvious differences between Samaritans and Jews centered on worship.

Samaritans accepted only the Pentateuch as the word of God.

Jews – all of OT as the authoritative word of God.

Samaritans worshipped on top of Mt. Gerazim.

Jews worshipped in Jerusalem.

4:20-24 – Jesus capitalizes on a way to further discuss spiritual truth.

4:21-22 – the debate would soon be over.

Jews & Samaritans were focused on the wrong question.

4:22 – There is a relationship between knowledge & worship.

1. In worship we reflect our acknowledgement of who He is & what He has done.

4:23-24 – in worship – God demands both the heart & mind.

4:24 – worship means:

To prostrate oneself in homage; to do reverence; to adore.

Days of Shakespeare: worship was actually spoken as worth-ship.

Psa. 96:8 - we are worth-ifying Him.

When we worship…we rationally respond by:

Acknowledging His goodness & greatness & graciousness.

Praising Him for what He is; thanking Him for what He has done.

Lev 10:1-3 – Nadab/Abihu.

God was not treated with reverence or respect.

2 Sam. 6:6-7 – Uzzah.

6:7 – Uzzah did not respect God for what He said.

Correct form of worship was never intended to be an end w/in itself.

1 Sam. 15:22; Malachi 1 - They failed to see God as Who He is.

Emotion isn’t everything.

1. Must not base someone’s spirituality on the basis of emotion.

2. But emotions are part of true spirituality.

Feeling in worship is appropriate, but it must be based upon belief.

Psa. 100:4 – worship produces emotion: joy; gratitude; awe; and reverence.

It is truth that gives birth to this feeling.

Ex. 20:18-19 – God’s presence at Sinai. They feared for their lives.

Isa 6:1-5 – Isaiah – woe is me for I am ruined.

When we come to worship we encounter God.

A serious occasion! How do we approach it?

Rev. 1:10-20 See 1:10-16 – John’s reaction to Jesus.

We need to take an honest look at our present situation and see if the problem of indifference truly exists among us.