Ballachulish, Scotland
True Worshipers
In the Old Testament we see God was very specific in how He wanted His children to worship Him. He didn’t allow for man’s traditions or human opinions when worshiping Him. In this study, we are going to look at what kind of worship God desires from His worshipers in today’s world.
Jesus gives us understanding of what kind of worshiper God desires, which we will see from the story of the woman at the well in John 4.
7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 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.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 4:7-26 ESV
We can see from John 4, Jesus is making a statement that it will not matter where a person worships, but it will matter how they worship. Jesus tells us what kind of worshipers the Father is looking for, he says, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth”. The Father is looking for people to worship Him in spirit and truth.
To help us understand what Jesus is saying about worshipers, we will look at the book of Jeremiah. The Lord is speaking to Jeremiah about the heart of the people worshiping him. Looking at these people will help us understand the difference between worship that is pleasing to God and worship that is not pleasing to Him.
6 The Lord said to me in the days of King Josiah: “Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore? 7 And I thought, ‘After she has done all this she will return to me,’ but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore. 9 Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree. 10 Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 3:6-10 ESV
God is speaking to Jeremiah about how His children are not faithful children, they are like whores. As you read the scriptures you will see God compares His relationship with His children to a marriage relationship. God uses this type of relationship to help us understand how we are to love Him and to be committed to Him and Him alone. We see this comparison in the Old Testament with His people and in the New Testament with us as His bride. In the New Testament, we see this comparison with the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33). In Jeremiah 3, God is saying, my children worship other gods, which means they seek other sources for their wisdom, protection and to get all their desires fulfilled. They did not depend on Him or trust in Him for all of their needs. He says in Jeremiah, that they returned to Him in pretense.
The Oxfords definition of the word pretense - an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.
Merriam-Websters definition of the word pretense - an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality.
As you go through the Old Testament scriptures on your own you will see a lot of the time when the children of Israel returned to God, however their return to Him was in pretense. In scripture we see it’s primarily because God fearing kings made them worship God. Sadly, their return to worshiping God was not from a repentant heart or a desire to love Him. The worship was not sincere and God knew this. We see in scripture their false worship angered God greatly.
Now let’s look at the New Testament. In the book of Philippians, Paul tells us about people proclaiming Christ from selfish ambition, which is pretense, not truth. They didn’t preach about Jesus because of their love for Him. They preached for selfish gain. We need to understand that, even today, not everyone who preaches Christ is preaching from a pure heart and not everyone preaching is even preaching the same message Jesus preached! These people merely use the name Jesus to get what they want from people. We see this talked about in the book of 2 Peter and Jude.
In the New Testament, Paul says:
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Philippians 1:15-18 ESV
Jesus confirms in Matthew what Paul is speaking on in Philippians.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
We need to understand that not everyone who calls themselves a Christian or even preaches using the name of Jesus, actually knows Jesus. Because of this, we need to ponder what Jesus is saying in John 4 and examine our own lives. He states that the Father is looking for people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. God is looking for worshipers who will submit their entire being to Him and worship Him His way. These worshipers must be willing to submit to God in every area of their lives. Below are some verses that show us how these people must love Him and what loving Him looks like.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6 ESV
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalms 32:2 ESV
1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Psalms 15:1-5 ESV
These people have pure hearts that only desire His ways and depend on Him for everything. We can not fool God. He knows when someone is truly seeking Him.
5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah 17:5-10 ESV
Now, let’s look at Acts 2. Here we see people that truly desired God. They were willing to worship Him in spirit and truth.
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:1-41 ESV
We see these people were devout Jews, and that tells us they were serious about obedience to God.
The word devout means - having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment and totally committed to a cause or belief.
They were not worshiping in pretense. We can see from these scriptures in Acts what happens when people truly desire God. They repent, get baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. These people are the type of worshipers the Father is looking for. Now, let’s look at the fruit these people produced in their everyday lives.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
It is very important that we understand the life these believers lived.
They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching (Matthew 28:16-20)
They devoted themselves to fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread (Luke 22:18-21)
They devoted themselves to prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Their devotion caused the following.
An awe coming upon every soul ( Awe means - a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.)
Many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles
All who believed were together.
They had all things in common.
They were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
They attended the temple together.
They broke bread in their homes.
They received their food with glad and generous hearts.
They praised God and had favor with all the people.
Because of all this fruit in their lives, the Lord added to their number daily. Their genuine love for each other shows us how God wants us to live in today’s world. 1 John helps us understand the beauty in this.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:11-12 ESV
We see from these believers that all people could see the work of God in them. Their love was pure. These are the kinds of worshipers that God is looking for, people who will submit their lives to Him and live His way. This is God’s heart for His bride. These believers were of one heart and one soul, this can only happen when we are one heart and one mind with the Father.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:34-33 ESV
These believers show us the heart of people who worship the Father in spirit and truth. These are the kind of people we need to model our lives after. They give us our blueprint of holy worshipers, worship that is pleasing to God.