God Seeks True Worshippers to Worship Him (John 4:23-24)
Introduction:
1. In John 4 Jesus had a discussion with the Samaritan woman. a. Part of their discussion was about "worship." b. (vs.23) Jesus stated that God seeks true worshippers to worship Him. c. (vs.24) True worshippers worship God "in spirit and in truth." 2. Today we are beginning a study designed to help us be "true worshippers." 3. In this lesson we are concentrating on the message presented in Psalm 100. 4. This beautiful Psalm contains information that will especially help us worship God "in spirit" [with the proper attitude and disposition].
Discussion:
I. THIS PSALM BEGINS IN VS.1-3 WITH AN APPEAL FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO OFFER HIM PRAISE
A. Three statements in vs.1-2 indicate that God's people are to give Him praise: 1. "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" 2. "serve the Lord with gladness" (see Psalm 122:1) 3. "come before His presence with singing." B. Many of the psalms begin with similar statements (95:1; 96:1). C. Three statements in vs.3 show us why God deserves praise: 1. "the Lord He is God" (see Psalm 95:3-5) 2. "He has made us, and not we ourselves" (see Psalm 95:6) 3. "we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." a. (Psalm 23:1a) David recognized the Lord as his Shepherd. b. David continued in Psalm 23:1b-6 by showing how the Lord blessed him as his Shepherd. D. We learn from Psalm 100:1-3 that God's people are to praise Him with joy and gladness, and we are given several reasons why He deserves to be praised.
II. THIS PSALM ALSO CONTAINS AN APPEAL IN VS.4-5 FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO OFFER HIM THANKS
A. Two statements in vs.4 indicate that God's people are to give Him thanks: 1. "enter into His gates with thanksgiving" 2. "be thankful unto Him." B. Notice that being thankful is connected with entering into God's courts with praise and blessing His name. C. Three statements in vs.5 show us why God deserves our thanksgiving: 1. "the Lord is good" 2. "His mercy is everlasting" (see Psalm 103:8, 11) 3. "His truth endureth to all generations." D. We learn from vs.4-5 that God's people are to offer thanks to Him, and we are given several reasons why He deserves our gratitude.
Conclusion:
1. In John 4:23-24, Jesus taught that the Father seeks true worshippers to worship Him. 2. According to Psalm 100, true worshippers: a. offer praise to the Lord with joy and gladness because: 1) He is God 2) He is our Maker 3) He is our Shepherd b. express thanks to the Lord for: 1) His goodness 2) His mercy 3) His truth.
