True Worship - Alternative View - June 12

True Worship

In His Presence “An hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).

Many years ago, Robert Grant wrote the words to “O Worship the King,”

O worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light, Whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is His path on the winds of a storm.

These two verses introduce us to the glory of God and the opportunity that we have to worship Him. However, a growing concern for many pastors is that many in their congregations attend church on Sunday because it is the right thing to do—not to worship the Lord. In other words, the act of coming together and fellowshipping has become more important than being in God’s presence where we worship Him through praise and prayer.

It is like the couple who had their baby christened at church, and then, after the service, had a party to celebrate the event. Aunts and uncles began arriving along with grandparents, nieces, nephews, and friends. Everyone began talking and eating. Finally, someone spoke up and asked, “Where’s the baby?” The parents had taken the child to his bedroom and placed it in the crib to take a nap. Everyone was so busy enjoying one another that they had forgotten why they were there.

Worship is essential to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. In the Scripture above, the Lord explains to a woman who had committed many sins that a time was coming—and really, had come—when true believers would worship in spirit and truth. The Messiah was standing right before her, and in His presence she found forgiveness for all that she had done and salvation for her soul.

It was then that she realized the freedom of heart and mind that God was extending to her. And she began to worship the Lord by telling others of His marvelous grace and love.

One Minute Please
Worship has to do with real people who have real needs. When we understand the gift the Father has given us, we will want to worship Him without ceasing.

Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.