Worship

Key Scripture

James 2:17 – “So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.”

Faith must express itself—and one of the most foundational expressions is worship.

John 4:21–24 – Jesus’ teaching on true worship.

What Is Worship?

Worship means to fall down before God and offer Him the reverence He deserves.

The Primary New Testament Word

Proskuneo

Pros – toward
Kuneo – to kiss
Worship is an act of humility, submission, and affection before God.

Worship Is Required of Everyone

John 4:21–22
Jesus teaches that worship is not confined to one location or one people—it is universal.

All people are created to worship God.
Refusing to worship does not diminish God.

C. S. Lewis said:
“A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”

The Woman’s Question

John 4:19–20
She was concerned about where to worship. Jesus answers by focusing on how to worship.

Jesus says, “Believe me”

Word: Pisteuon – to have faith, to trust.

Worship flows from faith in Christ.

Worship Must Be Based in Truth

John 4:23 – The Father seeks worshipers who worship in spirit and truth.

What Does It Mean to Worship in Truth?

It Involves the Mind
- Notitia – understanding the data
- Assensus – intellectually accepting the truth
  We cannot worship a God we do not rightly know.
We Worship Through Christ, Who Is Truth
- John 14:6 – Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
It Must Flow from a True Heart
Worship is not performance—it is sincerity aligned with Scripture.
It Must Be Connected to God’s Word
- John 17:17 – “Your word is truth.”
  Scripture shapes genuine worship.

Worship Must Be Based in Spirit

John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

We Must Be Born of the Spirit

Only those who have new life through Christ can worship in the Spirit.

Worship in the Spirit Has Three Dimensions

1. Vertical

Ministers to the Lord
Opens communication between God and man
Helps us sense God’s presence more deeply

2. Horizontal

Builds unity among believers
Allows us to minister to one another
Publicly expresses our faith
Prepares hearts to receive the Word

3. Inward

Strengthens our personal faith
Promotes holiness
Prepares us for new things God wants to do
Inspires a deeper lifestyle of worship

Worship Defined Spiritually

Worship is the spirit of man reaching out to the Spirit of God.

And an important distinction:

Praise can happen without worship, but worship cannot happen without praise.

Summary

True worship:

Is required of everyone
Is built on truth
Flows from the Spirit
Engages the mind, heart, body, and soul
Ministers to God, to others, and to ourselves

Worship is foundational to the Christian life—one of the most important basics.

What is Worship? | John 4:21-24