September 26, 2011
The Kind of Worshipers God Seeks
John 4
Most of us want nice, clear lines. To-do lists. Checkboxes. Religion.
In His time on earth, the Son of God was particularly good at upsetting the religious status quo. Turning over temple tables, having long talks over dinner with all the wrong people, calling the religious professionals hypocrites - this was normal behavior for Jesus. He did this to call attention to our spiritual complacency, challenge our wrong views of God, and teach us about worship. In John 4, He does all three in the most unlikely place, with the most unlikely pupil.
The woman at the well had no business talking to a Jew. Samaritans and Jews did not mix. The Samaritans were outcasts, spiritually unclean sinners. Plus, she was a woman. Oh, and she slept around, too. But her adultery is not the real issue. Her deflecting question about where people should worship is also not the issue. Jesus is concerned with her heart and her mind. He is concerned with who she worships and how she worships. John 4:23true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
Jesus reaches through centuries of cultural, religious and ethnic biases to give the most unlikely person a chance at redemption from sin. And when He offers her "a spring of water welling up to eternal life," she thinks, "that would be great; then I don't have to come back to draw water from the well everyday." She misses it at first. She wants a checkbox. But until she knows who Jesus is, she can't worship rightly.
Jesus wants to teach each of us to be the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. But to do that, He has to challenge our external actions and inadequate views of God. Jesus wants to shake you out of empty religion and misguided passions. He wants you to know Him, the only Way to eternal life, so then you can worship God in spirit and truth.
Used by permission from NewSpring Church
For Your Information
LAST SUNDAY
Yesterday we started a new series entitled The Biggest Loser. No, we are not talking about losing weight (though weight loss is important to be good stewards of our bodies that were given from God). The messages will be focused on helping us to Lose Your Doubt, Lose Your Fear, Lose Your Guilt, and Lose Your Pain. Make plans to attend to learn about how to be the biggest loser! This series is about losing something for our good and benefit.
Yesterday's message Lose Your Doubt focused on losing our doubts in the Lord, whether we are doubting our salvation, or that He is in control, we need to have faith and trust Him. That message is available on iTunes or you can visit our website. It is located just under the calendar.
NEXT WEEK
This upcoming Sunday we will continue The Biggest Loser with Lose Your Fear from Isaiah 54. We all have fears. Fears keep us from serving the Lord. God wants us not to fear. Please come to learn how to Lose Your Fears.
UP COMING EVENTS
September 27 - Trustee Meeting at Greg Rudman's House at 7 PM
October 2 - Carry-In Dinner after AM Service. No PM Service
October 8 - Fall Festival at the Hopper's Home
October 15 - Work Day at the church starting at 8 AM
October 19 - Quarterly Business Meeting at 7:30 PM
Visit us at www.fbcmidway.com for more information about our church. Our website has much to offer.
First Baptist Church
210 Front Street | PO Box 545 | Midway | Pennsylvania 15060
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