SERMON BY: OKPAN CLEOPAS (MINISTER)
TOPIC: THE DIVINE SEARCH (JOHN 4: 23)
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4: 23).
To search means: “to seek; to look for; to try to get” something or someone. In our text, Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well that God is looking for the true worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and truth. This is quite interesting! Though God has the power to command and force people to worship Him, yet He would prefer people He created to willingly give Him that honour and respect. Joshua understood the need for people to exercise their freedom of choice when he told Israel to “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Josh. 24: 15).
The True Worshippers
Who are the true worshippers that God is looking for? Surely, they must have something spiritual going for them.
Those that worship God in spirit and truth (John 4: 23, 24). Worshipping God in spirit has to do with the worshipper’s life, heart, and attitude. The worshipper must develop a spiritual mindedness. Here, the centre of attention is God, while the worshipper is expected to dwell richly on the word of the Lord (Col. 3: 16). Worshipping God in truth means to worship as God directs in His word, and with understanding of that word (1 Cor. 14: 15). Worship is corrupted when men exchange God’s truth for a lie (Rom. 1: 18, 19, 25; 2 Cor. 4: 2).
Those who willingly present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is their reasonable service (Rom. 12: 1).
Those who do not conform to the worldly way of doing things that do not glorify God (Rom. 12: 2; 1 John 2: 15, 16; James 4: 4).
Where is God Searching From?
Among the people He created in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1: 26, 27), who will come to love the Lord (John 14: 15).
From among this crooked and perverse generation (Acts 2: 40; Phil. 2: 15), who will be willing to repent (Acts 2: 38).
From among the vain and ignorant worshippers (Matt. 15: 7-9; Acts 17: 22, 23), who will be willing to know the truth and be freed from the bondage of falsehood (John 8: 32).
From among those who are not far from the kingdom (Mark 12: 34). They are not far, but they are not in the kingdom (Matt. 7: 21).
Those that God does not want in His Presence
There are some persons that God does not want, though they regularly appear to be worshipping Him. So, who are they?
Those who do not want to repent, despite repeated warnings (Luke 13: 3; 1 John 5: 16). Their ungodly behaviour is bound to influence others toward evil.
Those who purposely insult the holy presence of God with their seductive dressing and satanic decorations on their bodies.
Those who purposely expose the private parts of their bodies in the presence of God. Their aim is not to worship God, but to attract the attention of other worshippers to themselves.
Those who come to the worship arena with foul spirits of witchcrafts. They represent the devil in the assembly of the saints (Job 1: 6). They are the wicked ones (Psalms 68: 2).
Those whose preoccupation is not to serve the Lord, but their belly (Rom. 16: 17, 18).
Are You the One God is Searching For?
He said, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11: 28).
The scripture says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Heb. 3: 15).
The Lord said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3: 20).
If you know that you are the one God is searching for, then “why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22: 16).
CONCLUSION
The search for true worshippers is still on. God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him (Acts 10: 34, 35).