Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth

                                                                                         John 4:21–26

There was a season when many believers in the Body of Christ felt as though everything had been brought to a standstill because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Churches were unable to gather as they traditionally had, families were separated, communities were filled with uncertainty, and many were confronted with fear, sickness, loss, and questions about what the future would hold. Yet, in the midst of that extraordinary season, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ remained true:

“The hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father... But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth” (John 4:21–24). Jesus spoke these words long before the Church had buildings, established traditions, programs, or familiar patterns of gathering. He revealed something fundamental about the worship of God: true worship is not ultimately confined to a mountain, a city, a building, or a particular circumstance. True worship is found in Spirit and truth.During the pandemic, this truth became especially important. When believers could not gather as they traditionally had, the Church had to rediscover that worship does not cease simply because circumstances change. Believers could still pray, worship, read the Word of God, hear the preaching of the Gospel, encourage one another, take communion, gather with family, and bear witness to Jesus Christ wherever they were.

Now that the pandemic has passed and we have returned to our places of corporate gathering, we must not forget what that season taught us. The lesson was never that gathering together was unimportant. Scripture calls believers to fellowship, encouragement, communion, and assembling together. Rather, the lesson was that the Church must never confuse the place where we gather with the One whom we worship. Whether we are gathered in a church building, in a home, in a small fellowship, around a table with our families, or wherever the Lord provides an opportunity, we are called to remain true worshipers of God in Spirit and truth.The pandemic revealed how quickly circumstances can change. Today, we face different circumstances and different challenges: wars, division, fear, sickness, social unrest, cultural confusion, spiritual weariness, uncertainty, and many other pressures that can attempt to distract the people of God from their calling. But the answer remains the same. Jesus Christ has not changed. The Word of God has not changed. The Holy Spirit has not changed. And the Church's calling to shine as the light of the world has not changed.

Therefore, precious believer in Christ, do not allow changing circumstances to determine the condition of your worship, your faith, or your obedience to God. Listen to the Holy Spirit and remain grounded in the Word of God. Set aside time to worship the Lord in your home. Pray with your family. Read the Scriptures. Hear the preaching of the Gospel. Encourage one another to walk by faith. Teach your children to know and love the Lord. Pray for the sick. Speak the Word of God in faith. Serve others. Be a witness for Jesus Christ wherever God has placed you. The Church learned during the pandemic that ministry can take many forms, and that the Gospel can continue to advance even when familiar structures are disrupted. Let us carry that lesson forward—not because another pandemic is coming, but because the mission of the Church must never depend upon circumstances remaining comfortable or predictable. The name of Jesus Christ remains above every other name. His name is greater than fear, sickness, division, confusion, uncertainty, war, and every circumstance that attempts to exalt itself against the knowledge of God.

Therefore, stand fast in Christ. Hear the instruction of the Holy Spirit, whom we have the privilege of receiving and hearing as believers. The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God, but will lead us into the truth revealed in Christ and recorded in Scripture. While the world may be driven by fear, confusion, and competing voices, the people of God have the privilege of being led by the Spirit of God through His Word. And let us not forget the Cross. Remember Jesus Christ, who went to Calvary, who died for our sins, who was buried, and who rose again on the third day by the power of God. In Him we have redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Remember the promises of God concerning healing and pray for those who are sick, trusting the Lord and standing upon His Word (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4–5; James 5:14–20). We do not place our confidence in circumstances, institutions, human strength, or our own understanding. Our confidence is in Jesus Christ, the One who is Lord over all. The pandemic was a difficult and painful chapter for many people throughout the world, including the Church. But we should not remember that season only for what was lost. We can also remember what God taught His people through it. We learned that the Church can endure disruption. We learned that believers can worship God in difficult circumstances.

We learned that the Gospel cannot be quarantined. We learned that fellowship can take different forms without changing the nature of our faith. And above all, we were reminded of something Jesus had already told us:

“The true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth.”

Now that we have returned to our corporate places of gathering, let us gather with greater understanding, greater gratitude, and greater devotion. Let us never take the privilege of assembling together for granted. Let us not merely return to the way things were, but allow every season—including the difficult seasons—to form us more deeply into the people God has called us to be. The building is a place where we gather. Jesus Christ is the One we worship. The methods may change. The Gospel does not. Circumstances may change. The Word of God does not. Seasons may change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, precious believer in Christ, keep the faith. Remain in the Word. Walk in the Spirit. Love one another. Encourage one another. Pray for one another. Proclaim the Gospel. And wherever you are, whatever season you may be walking through, continue to worship the Father in Spirit and truth. The Church is still here. The Gospel is still being preached. The Holy Spirit is still teaching and leading the people of God. And Jesus Christ is still Lord. My wife Elsy and I love you all, and we bless each of you in the name of Yeshua—Jesus the Messiah.

Amen.

Forever worshiping at the feet of Jesus Christ.

Minister Geovanni Israel Guerra