Worship in Spirit and in Truth

We have become so accustomed to "doing something" to appear to be worshiping that many cannot wrap their mind around worshiping in "Spirit and Truh."
Worship, after Christ left this earth, was not about physical acts of worship as it was in the Old Testament days. Worship is now something that happens in the hearts of those who belong to Him.

 
We edify one another to build up the faith of one another. Edification is to speak to one another about Christ and to agree with one another.

 
John 4:24
"24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”"

Hosea 6:6
"6 For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Psalm 51:16-17
"For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

These attitudes toward God are not about outward acts of worship but the inner heart of worship that we carry with us everywhere we go, which demonstrates our loyalty to God.

 
Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps."
Our mandate from God is to have an attitude of worship in our heart that presents itself in obedience to HIm and edification toward one another.

 
Proverbs 21:3
"To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice."

Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Worship does not involve routine rituals expected every week by others who tell the congregation what to say, what to sing. When we gather to edify one another, each one will ask for a song, prayer and expound on the word as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

 
To edify one another in this way we are worshiping as God commanded.

Psalm 40:3-4 " 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.…"

To edify one another is to encourage the hearts of those in the gathering to focus on Christ in all they do and say. It is not ritual actions or ritual words that are the worship; it is the heart reaching up to God in love toward Him, agreeing with Him!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore, encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."

When we gather together to agree about Christ, we will leave the gathering equipped to go into the world sharing the gospel and encouraging others believers we meet to keep looking to Jesus Christ.