Worship in Spirit and Truth: Lessons from the Samaritan Woman

Devotional

Day 1: Worship Is About the Attitude of the Heart, Not the Form

True worship is not about external forms or personal preferences, but about the posture and sincerity of the heart before God. Whether worship is loud or quiet, structured or spontaneous, what matters most is that we come before God with genuine adoration, focusing on His worth rather than our own feelings or experiences. When we make worship about ourselves—how we feel, what we like, or what we get out of it—we miss the greater point: worship is always about the Lord, not us. God looks beyond appearances and desires hearts that are truly surrendered to Him. [34:29]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: In what ways have you made worship about your own preferences or feelings rather than focusing on God’s worth? How can you intentionally shift your heart’s focus this week?

Day 2: Jesus Seeks and Welcomes Sinners into True Worship

Jesus intentionally seeks out those who are burdened by sin and shame, offering them grace, forgiveness, and the invitation to worship God in spirit and truth. He does not move away from sinners but moves toward them, as seen in His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus gently exposes the truth of our hearts, not to condemn, but to invite us into a deeper relationship with Him, where we can experience living water and true satisfaction. No matter our past or present struggles, Jesus welcomes us to come to Him and find restoration. [43:40]

John 4:16-18 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel unworthy to approach God? How might you respond to Jesus’ invitation to bring your whole self—failures and all—into His presence today?

Day 3: True Worship Is in Spirit and Truth, Not Bound by Place or Ritual

Jesus teaches that true worship is not confined to a specific location, tradition, or ritual, but is a spiritual reality rooted in truth. The hour has come when worship is no longer about mountains or temples, but about hearts transformed by the Spirit and grounded in the truth of God’s Word. Through Christ, we have direct access to God, and our worship must be both authentic and aligned with the truth revealed in Scripture. God seeks worshipers who come to Him sincerely, wherever they are, and in whatever circumstance they find themselves. [52:23]

John 4:23-24 (ESV)
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of worship that is both sincere and rooted in God’s truth, regardless of where you are or what is happening around you?

Day 4: Jesus Is the Source of Living Water and the Object of Worship

Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah, the giver of living water, and the one worthy of all worship. He alone satisfies the deepest thirsts of our souls and invites us to drink from the well that leads to everlasting life. When we encounter Jesus and receive what He offers, our lives are transformed, and we are empowered to worship God truly and to share His goodness with others. Jesus is both the one who pursues us and the one to whom all our worship is due. [01:03:27]

John 4:25-26 (ESV)
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Reflection: What “wells” have you been turning to for satisfaction apart from Jesus? How can you intentionally turn to Him as your source of living water and worship Him today?

Day 5: Worship Is a Lifestyle—Ascribe Worth to God in All Things

Worship is not limited to singing or Sunday gatherings; it is a lifestyle of ascribing worth to God in every aspect of life. Whether through joyful praise, lament, acts of service, or daily obedience, every moment can be an act of worship when it flows from a heart that recognizes God’s goodness and responds to His grace. God is not grading us on our performance or outward expression, but invites us to live all of life as a response to who He is and what He has done. [01:05:33]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Reflection: What is one ordinary activity you will do today that you can intentionally offer to God as an act of worship? How might this change your attitude or approach to that task?

Sermon Summary

Worship is far more than the songs we sing or the outward expressions we display on a Sunday morning. At its core, worship is about ascribing worth to God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. It is not about our preferences, our feelings, or the style of music we enjoy. Instead, worship is a matter of the heart—a response to the greatness and goodness of God. Whether our worship is loud and joyful or quiet and tearful, God looks beyond the surface and sees the true posture of our hearts.

Throughout history and across denominations, worship has taken many forms—different instruments, songs, liturgies, and expressions. Yet, the essential question is not how or where we worship, but whom we worship and the attitude with which we come before Him. Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well reveals that God is seeking true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth. This means our worship must be both authentic and rooted in the truth of who God is, as revealed in Scripture.

Jesus intentionally sought out the Samaritan woman, a person burdened by shame and sin, and offered her living water—true satisfaction and life that only He can give. He did not condemn her, but gently revealed her need and invited her into a relationship with Himself. In doing so, Jesus broke down barriers of culture, religion, and personal failure, showing that worship is not confined to a place or a ritual, but is a spiritual reality available to all who come to Him.

The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus’ crucifixion signified that access to God is no longer limited to a specific location or mediated by priests. Through Christ, we can approach God directly, wherever we are, with sincere hearts. Worship is not about performance or external acts, but about responding to God’s worth with all that we are—our songs, our service, our tears, and our joy. Every aspect of our lives can become an act of worship when we live in response to His grace and truth.

Key Takeaways

1. Worship Is About God, Not Us Worship is not centered on our preferences, feelings, or experiences. It is about ascribing worth to God for who He is, regardless of our circumstances or emotions. When we focus on ourselves, we become consumers rather than true worshipers. True worship shifts our gaze from self to the One who is worthy of all praise. [34:29]
2. Authentic Worship Requires Spirit and Truth Jesus teaches that true worshipers must worship in spirit and truth. This means our worship must be genuine, flowing from the heart, and anchored in the truth of God’s Word. It is not enough to go through the motions or rely on emotional highs; our worship must be both heartfelt and biblically grounded. [58:02]
3. God Seeks Worshipers, Not Performers God is not impressed by outward displays or perfect performances. He looks for those who come to Him honestly, even in brokenness or lament. Whether we worship with shouts of joy or tears of sorrow, God desires authenticity and a heart that seeks Him above all else. [39:27]
4. Jesus Breaks Barriers and Offers Living Water Jesus intentionally moves toward those who are marginalized, burdened, or ashamed, offering grace and the gift of living water. He invites us to bring our true selves to Him, not hiding behind masks or rituals, but receiving the life and satisfaction only He can give. [43:31]
5. Worship Is a Lifestyle, Not a Location With the coming of Christ, worship is no longer confined to a temple or a mountain. Every moment, every act, and every place can become an opportunity to honor God. Our lives, when lived in response to His goodness, become a continual act of worship. [56:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:20] - Sunday School Announcement
[32:01] - What Is Worship?
[32:44] - Diverse Expressions of Worship
[34:29] - Worship Is About God, Not Us
[35:39] - Biblical Words for Worship
[36:45] - Joyful and Lamenting Worship
[38:34] - God Sees Beyond Appearances
[39:27] - Bring Your True Self to God
[40:08] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
[44:27] - Living Water and Spiritual Thirst
[45:13] - Jesus Reveals the Heart
[47:12] - Grace for the Broken
[49:03] - The Sanctity of Marriage
[52:41] - The Heart of Worship: Spirit and Truth
[56:09] - Worship Is Not About Place
[58:02] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
[62:45] - Jesus Reveals Himself as Messiah
[65:02] - Living a Lifestyle of Worship
[65:53] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 4:16-26 (ESV) —
> 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
> 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’;
> 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
> 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
> 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”
> 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
> 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
> 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
> 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
> 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
> 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Observation Questions

What does Jesus reveal about the Samaritan woman’s personal life, and how does He respond to her honesty? ([47:12])
What question does the woman ask Jesus about worship, and how does Jesus redirect her focus? ([51:47])
According to Jesus, what kind of worshipers is the Father seeking? ([52:13])
What does Jesus mean when He says, “the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father”? ([52:01])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to reveal Himself as the Messiah to this particular woman, given her background and social standing? ([43:31])
What does it mean to worship “in spirit and truth”? How is this different from simply following religious rituals or traditions? ([58:02])
The sermon mentioned that God is not impressed by outward displays or perfect performances. Why do you think God values authenticity over performance in worship? ([39:27])
How does the tearing of the temple veil at Jesus’ crucifixion change the way people approach God in worship? ([55:13])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Worship is not about our preferences, feelings, or experiences. It is about ascribing worth to God for who He is, regardless of our circumstances or emotions.” When was the last time you let your preferences or feelings get in the way of truly worshiping God? What would it look like to shift your focus from yourself to God during worship? ([34:29])
Jesus invited the Samaritan woman to bring her true self, not a mask or a ritual. Are there areas in your life where you feel like you have to “fake it” before God or others? What would it look like to bring your real struggles and emotions to God in worship? ([39:27])
The sermon highlighted that worship is a lifestyle, not just something that happens in a church building. What are some practical ways you can make everyday moments—at work, at home, or in your community—an act of worship to God? ([56:09])
Jesus broke down barriers of culture, religion, and personal failure to offer living water to the woman at the well. Are there any barriers in your life—shame, past mistakes, cultural expectations—that keep you from coming to Jesus honestly? How can you take a step toward Him this week? ([43:31])
The message said, “God seeks worshipers, not performers.” In what ways do you sometimes feel pressure to “perform” in your faith, and how can you move toward more authentic worship? ([39:27])
Jesus said true worshipers must worship in spirit and truth. Is there an area where your worship has become routine or disconnected from your heart? What is one step you can take to make your worship more genuine and rooted in God’s Word? ([58:02])
The tearing of the temple veil means we have direct access to God. How does this truth affect the way you approach God in prayer and worship, both alone and with others? ([55:13])

Sermon Clips

How many times have you left our church thinking, man, I just wasn't feeling it today? Whether it was the music or even the message. And when we make a declaration like that, sometimes we're admitting that we are thinking more about us and how we feel than about the Lord. And in that way, we become consumers because we want to feel something. But it's not about us. It's always about the Lord. [00:34:48] (36 seconds) #WorshipBeyondFeelings

So when you put all of these thoughts together, what you see is that worship is the joyful, loud response of all that we are in adoration, celebration, and enjoyment of all that God is. In worship, we do not contribute to or increase God's greatness and glory but we announce it. We declare it. We make it known and we proclaim the worth and majesty that is already and always true of Him. [00:36:47] (38 seconds) #DeclareGodsMajesty

There's also another side of worship that is beyond the shouting and clapping and the hallelujahs and all of the things that express the joyful side of it. The other side is, and the book of Psalms helps us to see this, is the worship that is found through songs of lament. The song of the heart that is crushed. The worship that is offered through tears. [00:37:25] (32 seconds) #WorshipInTears

Jesus doesn't move away from sinners, as we are often guilty of doing. Jesus moves towards sinners and offers grace and forgiveness. So everything we read about this encounter is on purpose. [00:43:36] (17 seconds) #JesusMovesTowardGrace

Worship is not about a feeling or an experience. It's not about more lights and fog and loudness and instruments or more solemnness and very skillful things. It's not about those things in and of themselves. Worship is about the heart attitude of the person that is ascribing worth about the God they are crying out to. [01:00:29] (29 seconds) #WorshipBeyondExperience

That Jesus is the source of living water and the object of right worship. Jesus is the one who pursues the sinner and invites the sinner to drink from the well that leads to everlasting life. [01:03:27] (18 seconds) #JesusSourceOfLife

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