God's Center of Worship
The true center of worship is not a place, but the Lord Jesus Christ, where we gather to worship in spirit and in truth.
William MacDonald emphasizes that true worship is no longer confined to specific locations like Gerizim or Jerusalem, as Jesus revealed to the Samaritan woman. Instead, worship is centered around the person of Jesus Christ, who is the divine magnet drawing His people together. The physical place of worship is irrelevant; what matters is the spiritual connection we have with God through Christ, where we can worship in spirit and truth. MacDonald highlights the privilege of gathering in Jesus' name, where He is present among His people, taking their prayers and praises to the Father. This new order of worship allows believers to enter into the heavenly sanctuary, experiencing communion with God and the saints, regardless of their earthly location.
Text
Â"Â...neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem.Â" (John 4:21)
For the Samaritans, the center of worship was on Mt. Gerizim. For the Jews, Jerusalem was the place on earth where God had placed His Name. But Jesus announced a new order to the woman of Samaria, Â"Â...the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.Â"
There is no longer a single place on earth which is designated for worship. In our dispensation, a Holy Person has taken the place of a holy site. The Lord Jesus Christ is now the gathering center of His people. JacobÂ's words have found their fulfillment, Â"Â...unto him shall the gathering of the people beÂ" (Gen. 49:10).
We gather to Him. We are not drawn together by a consecrated building with stained glass windows and organ music. We do not gather to a man, no matter how gifted or eloquent. The Lord Jesus is the divine magnet.
The place on earth is not important; we may meet in a chapel, a home, a field or a cave. In true worship, we enter by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. God the Father is there. The Lord Jesus is there. The angels are there in festal array. The saints of the Old Testament period are there. And the saints of the Church age who have died are there. And in such august company we are privileged to pour out our hearts in worship to God through the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. So while our bodies are still on earth, in spirit we pass Â"far, far above the restless world that wars below.Â"
Does this contradict the SaviorÂ's words, Â"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of themÂ" (Matt. 18:20)? No, this is also true. He is present in a special way when His people meet together in His Name. He takes our prayers and praises and presents them to the Father. What a privilege to have the Lord Jesus in our midst.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Old Order of Worship
- A. The Samaritans worshiped on Mt. Gerizim
- B. The Jews worshiped in Jerusalem
- II. The New Order of Worship
- A. Jesus announced a new order of worship
- B. The true worshippers worship in spirit and in truth
- III. The Gathering Center of God's People
- A. The Lord Jesus is the gathering center
- B. We gather to Him, not to a place or a person
Key Quotes
“The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” — William MacDonald
“Unto him shall the gathering of the people be” — William MacDonald
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- We should focus on worshiping God in spirit and in truth, rather than a specific place or person.
- The Lord Jesus Christ is present with us when we gather together in His name, taking our prayers and praises to the Father.
- We can worship God anywhere, not just in a specific building or location.