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{Sermons on John 1:47
The Doctrine Confirmed
Duties and Comforts of Godliness Are Not Fantasy
Worship in the Spirit
Worship from the Heart}
The worship by the soul, or inward worship, concerns two things. First, it stands in opposition to mere bodily worship. I do not say that it is opposed to bodily worship, but to mere bodily worship. Second, it stands in opposition to the antiquated Jewish worship, which was more external, elaborate, and ceremonial. We worship God in the Spirit, that is, we worship God with the heart and in the simplicity and plainness of Gospel worship. Heart-worship is true worship; worship by the soul is the soul of worship. The body without the soul is dead, and bodily worship without spiritual worship is dead worship. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24 NASB). The latter word, “truth,” is exegetical of the former, “spirit,” signifying that worshiping in spirit is worshiping in truth. This is the true worship indeed. Worship by the body, uncovering the head, bowing the knee, or lifting up of hands or voice—these are only the outside and carcass of worship. Such can to be considered to be worship only to the extent that they are helpful to or expressive of the devotions of the soul. Bowing the knee signifies bowing the heart. Uncovering the head either expresses or helps toward inward reverence of the soul. Thus far they are worship and no further; even in these cases they are not worship in themselves. But as they stand alone and separated from inward worship, they are no more worship than a carcass is a man; they are mere shadows and fantasies. There is no such fanatic as the formalist. Like those heathens who “think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7), they are only hypocrites and liars. Look at what courtiers’193 compliments are; such are the formalists’ devotions: smooth words, tongue-courtesies, flattering salutes, and fawning cringes. “Your servant, sir, your servant, command me what you please. I am ready to serve you.” Here is a great show of respect and kindness, but what is there in it? What wise man will regard it? And what more is there in the devotions of the formalist? What is it except mere cold ceremoniousness with the holy God? Such devotion is very devout and lowly in appearance, and there is great noise, but what is there in it? What awe, soul-reverence of God, striving of the heart, or wrestling with God (Genesis 32:24–25) is in this? Where is the elevation of the heart, or lifting up of the soul to God is all this? Is there no such thing as a striving of the heart and reverence of the soul required in the worship of God? Or are these only shadows of worship, and is the soul of worship only in the lips or knees? Does he whose soul is poured out in prayer, he whose spirit strives with194 the Lord, only pray in imagination and worship God in imagination? Those whose eyes, tongues, and hands alone pray—have they gotten the substance, and are these the true worshipers? Beloved, do not be deceived; God does not see as people see; He sees what is within man; He sees what is inside our duties. Shows or sounds that can blind His eye or distract His ear do not exist. “… Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18–19 NASB). Believe it, Christians, heart music is the best church music. Praying and singing from the heart make the best melody in the ears of the Lord of the Sabbath. My work and intent is not to decry all external worship as useless or unacceptable. We must glorify God in our bodies as well as in our spirits. Our lips must bear their parts in our prayers and praises, but I do not want you to take the body of worship to be the soul, and the soul to be nothing. Do not be deceived that the outward part is the worship and the inward is just imagination. Brethren, the living God will have living services. The God of our spirits will have the service of our spirits, our worshiping God in spirit. This is the true worship. God will not be cheated with shows; take heed you are not cheated with shows, either. All the people of the world, with their wits, portions, and interests, have praised, garnished, and magnified the carcass of religion. They have decried and disgraced its soul and life. But, this will still stand as an irrefutable truth: “We are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3 NKJV).
193courtier: a person who attends a royal court, especially that of an absolute monarch, and by extension, a flatterer.
194Note: “strives with,” not “strives against.” Earnest pleading with God to change one of His providences is something God welcomes when the pleading is according to His revealed will. There is mystery in prayer that transcends rational analysis.
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