Worship According to Jesus: A Life of Spirit and Truth
Pastor Reed Sowell
Worship is often imagined as the singing we do on Sundays, yet the reality is far deeper and wider. It’s not about a specific place, a ritual, or a moment on a calendar—it’s about a way of life. Worship, according to Jesus, is meant to permeate everything we do, shaping the way we live, think, and love every day. Click the link above for the full message.
Worship Beyond Geography
In John 4:19-24, Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman at a well and revealed something radical: worship is not confined to a mountain or a temple. It is not about sacred geography—it’s about surrendered people. The Samaritan woman framed worship as a debate about where to worship. Jesus shifted the conversation to how and who to worship.
For her, worship had become a compartmentalized ritual. For many of us, it still feels like that today. But when the Spirit of God takes residence in the heart of every believer, worship is no longer tied to location. Every action, thought, and word has the potential to become worship.
This means our worship isn’t boxed into a church service. It’s expressed in our homes, workplaces, cars, and even in the hidden corners of our hearts.
The Meaning of True Worship
The word Jesus used for worship in this passage is proskyneō—a Greek term meaning “to bow down or show honor in reverence and submission.” Worship is not just about songs or rituals but about posture—both physical and spiritual.
Bowing or kneeling demonstrates reverence.
Raising hands is a universal sign of surrender, both in combat and in praise.
Singing or praying from a surrendered heart honors God in profound ways.
Because the Spirit dwells in us, believers themselves are now the temple of God. As Paul wrote:
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV)
“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22 NIV)
Worship isn’t bound to walls—it is the Spirit inside us that makes every moment sacred.
Worship Anchored in Truth
When Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “You worship what you do not know,” He wasn’t mocking her sincerity. Instead, He highlighted that her worship lacked the fullness of truth. The Samaritans only accepted the first five books of Scripture, missing the prophetic writings that pointed to the Messiah.
This distinction matters. Enthusiasm without truth is not enough. Jesus pointed to the Jewish Scriptures as carrying the full story of salvation that leads directly to Him. Worship must be grounded in revealed truth, not just in personal sincerity.
Our culture often says, “As long as you’re genuine, that’s what counts.” But sincerity without truth can still lead us astray. One can sincerely believe something false and live in error. Jesus reminds us that true worship aligns with truth—truth that is fully revealed in Him.
Spirit and Truth Together
Jesus declared that “true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” Worship is a partnership of both Spirit and truth—never one without the other.
Worshiping in Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our entire lives in devotion to God.
Worshiping in truth means proclaiming and living according to who God really is, not who we want Him to be.
Worship cannot be about personal preference. It’s not about whether we like the songs, the style, or the environment. It’s about God’s glory.
If worship on Sunday feels difficult, it’s worth asking: how will we ever worship outside those walls if we can’t worship in a room filled with other believers?
Living as Living Sacrifices
Paul’s words in Romans 12:1 stretch our understanding of worship even further:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Living sacrifices are costly. They require surrender of preferences, plans, and even identities. Worship is not about checking a box but about offering all of life back to God. It is the daily surrender of hopes, frustrations, and comforts in light of God’s mercy.
When we understand what Jesus has done, worship becomes the natural response—a life lived fully surrendered to Him.
Worship in Every Season
True worship is not contingent on circumstances. Even in difficulty, God remains holy and worthy of praise. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 illustrates this:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25 NIV)
Despite being beaten and imprisoned, they worshiped. Their situation was dire, but their God was still good. Worship is not reactive to circumstances—it’s rooted in God’s unchanging character.
Practical Ways to Live a Life of Worship
Here are simple, practical ways to make worship part of everyday life:
Surrender your space to God
Play worship music while cooking dinner.
Pray over your workspace before starting your day.
Thank God during your commute, even if someone cuts you off.
Anchor your habits in truth
Start your day with a Scripture verse.
Use the YouVersion Bible app to set a verse reminder.
Pause for prayer before reacting in frustration.
Worship in difficult moments
Praise God even in disappointment.
Extend forgiveness when it’s undeserved.
Serve someone even when it costs you.
Worship is not just a Sunday rhythm but an all-week reality.
Call to Action
Take time this week to evaluate where worship fits in your life. Is it confined to church gatherings, or does it flow into your daily routines? Identify one space, one habit, and one challenging situation where you can live in Spirit and truth, honoring God through your choices.
Further Reading
Desiring God: Worship in Spirit and Truth
The Gospel Coalition: True Worshippers God Seeks
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled Silence and Solitude: Creating Space for God on YouTube.
Explore more resources at www.viewchurch.co/resources.