“The How of Worship, Part 2 – In Spirit” (Ready to Worship S11E18)

May 22, 2020

Ready to Worship Season 11, Episode 18 for Friday, May 22, 2020

This season on Ready to Worship, we are investigating worship. To investigate worship we are asking the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. This week, we are again focused on the how question. In the last installment of this study, we noticed that we are to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). We emphasized that both parts are essential. Having made clear that both parts are necessary to please God, we are going to study more deeply each part. This week our focus will be on worshipping in spirit. Over and over again, the Bible speaks of virtues “in spirit.” We are to be “humble in spirit” (Prov. 29:23), “patient in spirit” (Eccl. 7:8), “poor in spirit” (Mt. 5:3), “strong in spirit” (Lk. 1:80; 2:40), and “fervent in spirit” (Rom. 12:11). These are all inner qualities. They are qualities of mind. To worship in spirit is to worship God with all that is within us. David declared, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psa. 103:1). Did you catch that? “All that is within.”. David praised God in spirit. He praised God with all that was within him. I am reminded of what Jesus said about the first and great commandment. He said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mk. 12:30). Did you see the emphasis there? Heart, soul, mind, and strength. That is how we are to love God. That is how we are to worship God. As we get ready to worship this week, let’s make sure that we worship as God has commanded. When it comes to worshipping in spirit, let’s make sure that we worship God with all that is within us.