God Must Be Worshiped in Spirit and Truth - Santosh Poonen - August 8, 2012
http://rlcfchurch.org/god-must-be-worshiped-in-spirit-and-truth RLCF Youth Conference 2012 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that true worship must be offered in spirit and in truth, which requires being filled with the Holy Spirit. The speaker critiques modern forms of worship, suggesting that emotional services, music, and atmosphere are often mistaken for genuine worship. He directs listeners to John chapter 4, where Jesus teaches that worship is not confined to a specific location like Jerusalem or Samaria, but is a deeper reality.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why God wants to fill us with the Holy SpiritContinuing a series on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the speaker explains that God fills believers so they can worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Mistaking emotional music for worshipMany Christians confuse emotional experiences, praise music, lights, and concerts with a genuine worship service.
Jesus and the woman at the wellJesus teaches the Samaritan woman at the well that the time has come when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.John 4:19–24
The coming of the Holy Spirit on PentecostThe prophecy about true worshippers pointed to the day of Pentecost, when ordinary people could be filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time.
Living a life of continuous worshipTrue worship does not end when a meeting finishes; it allows believers to live in God's presence at all times, making sin impossible.
God is spirit and must be worshipped in spiritQuoting A.W. Tozer, the speaker emphasizes that spiritual beings must bow in spirit rather than just performing outward, physical acts of religion.
Closeness to God right now on EarthBelievers do not need to wait until heaven to be close to God; the New Covenant allows us to dwell in the Most Holy Place right now.
The contrast between the Old and New CovenantsThe book of Hebrews shows how the Old Covenant relied on external regulations and a high priest, whereas the New Covenant opens the way for all believers.
Playing with an empty teacupAttempting to worship God through music and meetings without the fullness of the Holy Spirit is like drinking from an empty toy teacup.
The rent veil and open accessWhen Jesus cried 'It is finished' on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, opening direct access to the Father.
Entering the Most Holy Place through sacrificeEntering God's presence requires daily yielding our own desires and saying 'not my will, but yours' just as Jesus did.
Abraham offering Isaac as an act of worshipAbraham's willingness to offer his son Isaac prefigured both the Heavenly Father's sacrifice and the total surrender required of true worshippers.
Presenting our bodies as a living sacrificeRomans 12:1 defines spiritual worship as presenting our physical bodies and daily choices to God as a holy sacrifice.Romans 12:1
Allowing God to have more of youBeing filled with the Holy Spirit means letting God take ownership of every area of your life, both today and into the week ahead.
Prostrate before the throneThe speaker closes by reading a hymn that captures the ultimate joy of worship: lying prostrate before God's throne and gazing upon Him.
