MLC Sermon Notes   Note 09/03

In Spirit & In Truth

Reading: John 4

INTRODUCTION
True religion is more than simply learning about Truth and Error. Indeed one may say that learning the truth is one of the easier steps a believer takes in his/her walk with God. In a few months, or years at most, ignorant adults can - if they so wish - learn most of the fundamental teachings of Scripture. Basic concepts about sin, repentance, forgiveness, faith and obedience etc. are not difficult to grasp if a person is really keen to learn.

Fundamental truth is of course vital to salvation. But there is something else as important, if not more so, than the knowledge of the truth. It is worshipping in spirit! Consider this verse:

Two Mandatory Parameters
Here, then, we have the two mandatory parameters for effective worship. Leave either of them out and one's worship of the Most High is futile. To engage in effective worship a believer must worship 'in spirit' and 'in truth.' Notice that the phrase 'in spirit' precedes 'in truth.' This is significant. But what do the terms 'in spirit' and 'in truth' mean?

1. IN SPIRIT
'In spirit' means, amongst other things, to be moved by the Holy Spirit and to have the right attitude. In this context that means the attitude of faith, humility, reverence, repentance, gratitude, with a proper sense of the holiness of God and also of one's own unworthiness. If this attitude is missing, then all worship of the Most High, whether by a professed Christian or an outright heathen, is mechanical and meaningless. It may initially be interesting and even entertaining to behold; but in fact it accomplishes nothing of real value. It is impotent and barren. No doubt many of us have attended religious services which are faultless in their presentation and musical content, colourfully costumed and rich in ritual; but we have come away spiritually empty and somewhat saddened, because the Spirit of the Holy One of Israel was absent. Something vital was missing. It's like visiting a wax museum where every exhibit is perfect in every detail, but also perfectly dead. Obviously this is not worship worthy of the Creator. Indeed, the Almighty loathes such worship and most sensible people eventually tire of it.

2. IN TRUTH
In Truth means, according to the divinely prescribed manner. That is, according to Yahweh's commandments as recorded in Scripture. Millions of tracts and booklets are devoted to teaching people how to worship 'in truth.' All such instruction is important, vitally important; that is why we in SBS engage in it. But it is not as important as my next point.

3. THE FATHER'S SEARCH
Yahweh is keen to attract the worshipful trust and obedience of a certain type of believer. He is not looking at the colour of the skin, or at the educational standards of His worshippers; or even at their knowledge of His Word. He is searching for something else. In Scripture it is called the 'reins and the heart.' He searches and tests 'the reins' in order to bless and work through those who yearn to meet His standards. I would go so far as to say that the term 'reins and the heart' is merely a Biblical term for the 'human will.' In other words the Almighty is taking the measure of every believer's will. He is not concerned with what we possess, or even with what we say, but with our wills; with what we secretly want to do! The human will is like the steering wheel in a automobile. The LORD God of Israel wants us to hand the steering wheel of our lives - our reins - over to Him!

Satan is also battling for the control of the human will and mind; and you and I have the choice of who wins, the Holy Spirit of the God of Israel or the spirit of Satan. That is the choice of every person on earth. It is the God-given human right to freedom of choice. In short:

• Your reins are what you secretly want to do.
• And it is the Spirit that controls 'your reins.'
• And it is 'your reigns' - 'your will' - that controls the real YOU!

Once a person has decided to surrender his/her will (reins) to God, to do His will, all subsequent thoughts, words, actions and understanding, especially the understanding of Scriptural doctrines, are motivated by the Spirit of God. That is what the Saviour meant when he said:

4. THE REINS OF THE HEART
Consider these vital texts concerning the reins and the heart.

Yeshua's Search
Yahweh's only begotten Son Yeshua (Jesus) is also searching and testing the reins and hearts of men and women. And, like his Father, the Saviour also rewards according to our works.

5. WHAT ARE THE REINS?
What, you may well ask, constitutes a man's reins? Reins, as you all know are used to direct animals (horses, donkeys, bullocks, camels and sledge dogs). Without reins a rider has virtually no power over the horse he is riding or the team he is driving. Reins are lines of communication between man and animal, between God and man. Reins give total control. Strange as it may seem we humans are also controlled by reins - the human will. Yes it is your will that controls your actions. The word heart is also another term for your innermost inclinations, desires and will - the real you! When you hand over the reins of your heart to the Almighty, you are, in fact, handing over your will to Him. He then has total control of the real you! And that is what the Almighty seeks - total control - albeit but with your permission.

True to His high regard for personal freedom, the Almighty will never take over the reins of your heart without your consent. You must be willing to hand them over, else He will not take control of your will. That is why He continually requests your permission and invites you to accept His authority and control.

6. GIVE ME YOUR HEART
The Most High is not only searching, testing and trying the hearts of men and women, but He is continually inviting souls to hand over their reins to Him; to let Him take control of their lives. And though He has commanded that we love and serve Him with all our heart (with the total strength of our innermost beings), He still seeks our permission before taking over the reins of our hearts. Consider these amazing texts about the steps to success. We could call them the three Rs.

The Request

The Result

When the God of Israel finds a heart that is receptive to His Spirit and one that is willing to be controlled (reined) by Him, He blesses that person with His Presence. No greater blessing is possible to the sons and daughters of men - than Yahweh's Presence. And no better qualification can be found than to have it said:

7 SUMMARY
You will see from the foregoing that to worship in spirit and in truth is a process whereby a true believer:

1. Hands over the reins of his heart to the Almighty's control. This is real conversion.
2. The second step is to learn Yahweh's will, to get to know His law.
3. The third step is to obey the Almighty's will.

The result of this progressive process will be that the God of Israel will imprint His commandments, which are simply a written transcript of His own character, on your mind. Then and only then is it possible to worship in Spirit and in Truth. All other forms of worship are vain and futile.

MLC Sermon Notes