The Life and Ministry of Jesus
The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:19–22
I was speaking in a summer conference on the first eight chapters of Romans. This is not often used as a subject because Paul deals with sin. At first I could actually feel a resentment. By the middle of the week, the Holy Spirit began to break up hard hearts and a fellow who seemed to be the most pompous and pious saint came to me wanting to confess his sins. I told him not to confess them to me, but to go to the great High Priest, the Lord Jesus. At that same conference two ministers came to me, personally and privately, asking, “Do you preach like this in your own church?” Yes, and I found out there was a little cell of super–duper saints who liked to criticize the preacher so as to take the attention off themselves. They really wanted to be active—in fact, they wanted to run the church—but they did not want to deal with sin in their lives. Our Lord did not avoid or sidestep the issue of personal sin. 1
Personal Encouragement
It is impossible to worship Jesus if our heart is not emptied of personal sin. Confess your sins to Him right now!
A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Galatians 5:9
Be careful not to worship the act of worship, but the One worthy of worship.
A Prayer
Lord, please keep me from glorifying the times of worship, instead of glorifying You.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 1-10) (electronic ed., Vol. 38). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
