True and Genuine Worship
story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman—one of the passages where our Lord speaks directly about worship. TRUE AND GENUINE WORSHIP A man's spirit is the highest part . . . the part which lasts when the physical part . . . has vanished. It is the spirit of a man which is the source and origin of his highest dreams and thoughts and ideals and desires. The true, the genuine worship is when man, through his spirit, attains to friendship and intimacy with God. True and genuine worship is not to come to a certain place; it is not go through a certain ritual or liturgy; it is not even to bring certain gifts. True worship is when the spirit, the immortal and invisible part of man, speaks to and meets with God, who is immortal and invisible. —William Barclay, in THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, Vol. 1, THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE, Westminster, 1955, page 154. As quoted in Don Hustad's TRUE WORSHIP: RECLAIMING THE WONDER AND MAJESTY, Harold Shaw Publishers (Hope), 1998, page 36. [Immortal and invisible God, help us to know your presence so we can meet with you and commune with you. Help us to worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen!] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |