God wants an intimate relationship with us.
22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants 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 ” (who is called Christ ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 “I am He,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.”
At church yesterday we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of our Minister of Music and Worship at Idlewild Baptist Church. Consequently there was a lot of emphasis on worship in the pastors sermon last night and I thought of Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman about worship.
During her discussion with Jesus, the Samaritan woman brought up the issue of the location of worship, that was a hot topic in the church in that day, the Jews and the Samaritans were at odds on this issue. Jesus quickly moved the conversation on from the topic of location and got down to what really mattered, after all worship should be a part of our lifestyle, something that happens all day everyday. Jesus told her instead of location we should focus on how to worship God and that it must be done in spirit and in truth.
Romans 8:14-16 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,
The Spirit leads us close to God, we are drawn in like a child to his loving father, I am so glad that our worship isn't cold or impersonal like the many gods that man has created, this is a close intimate relationship.
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity
There is a prerequisite for this kind of intimate relationship, first the relationship has to be made right, I have to have Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I must live with integrity. Just like a disobedient child that has a difficult time snuggling up to their parent, so it is with us and God, he won't draw near to us if we are not maintaining our relationship by living in obedience to his word.
You are amazing God, it is more than I can comprehend, that you would want a close relationship with me. I pray that I will always live life worshiping you.
During her discussion with Jesus, the Samaritan woman brought up the issue of the location of worship, that was a hot topic in the church in that day, the Jews and the Samaritans were at odds on this issue. Jesus quickly moved the conversation on from the topic of location and got down to what really mattered, after all worship should be a part of our lifestyle, something that happens all day everyday. Jesus told her instead of location we should focus on how to worship God and that it must be done in spirit and in truth.
Romans 8:14-16 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,
The Spirit leads us close to God, we are drawn in like a child to his loving father, I am so glad that our worship isn't cold or impersonal like the many gods that man has created, this is a close intimate relationship.
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity
There is a prerequisite for this kind of intimate relationship, first the relationship has to be made right, I have to have Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I must live with integrity. Just like a disobedient child that has a difficult time snuggling up to their parent, so it is with us and God, he won't draw near to us if we are not maintaining our relationship by living in obedience to his word.
You are amazing God, it is more than I can comprehend, that you would want a close relationship with me. I pray that I will always live life worshiping you.
