John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. I. THERE IS BUT ONE GOD. We are led to this — 1. By the light of nature. There can be but one infinite and supreme; it is a contradiction to suppose otherwise. The wiser of the heathen philosophers had their one supreme god. 2. By revelation (Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10; Mark 12:29). II. THIS GOD IS A SPIRIT. 1. He is incorporeal and invisible (Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:16; John 5:37). 2. He lives and acts (John 5:26; Psalm 36:9). 3. He has understanding and will (Psalm 104:24; Ephesians 1:11; Isaiah 28:29; Daniel 4:35). III. THIS GOD IS AN INFINITELY PERFECT SPIRIT, and is distinguished in a transcendent manner from other spirits. 1. An infinite Spirit (Isaiah 40:15-17). 2. A self-sufficient and independent Spirit (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 44:24; Job 22:2, 3; Revelation 4:11). 3. An eternal Spirit (Psalm 90:2; Psalm 9:7; Psalm 102:27). 4. An unchangeable Spirit (James 1:17). (1) In His being and perfection. (2) In His glory. (3) In His blessedness. (4) In His decrees (Job 23:13; Psalm 32:11; Isaiah 46:10, 11). (5) In His promises (Isaiah 54:10; Malachi 2:6). 5. An omnipresent Spirit (Jeremiah 23:24; Acts 17:27, 28; Psalm 139:7-10). 6. An all-knowing Spirit (Psalm 147:5; Hebrews 4:13; Job 34:21, 22). On this ground He challenges the heathen (Isaiah 41:22, 23). All this He knows of Himself without any external medium (Isaiah 40:14; Psalm 94:10). 7. An Almighty Spirit (Psalm 33:6; Ephesians 3:20).Application — 1. How absurd and abominable are all images of God (Jeremiah 10:8, 14; Romans 1:23-25). 2. What awful sentiments should we entertain of Him. 3. What a dreadful enemy and what a comfortable friend He must be. 4. How thankfully should we embrace a gospel revelation which makes Him accessible. (J. Guyse, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.WEB: God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." |
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