Magnifying Christ Together

Sermon Title: Magnifying Christ Together
Scripture Text: John 4:19-26

1. Key Scriptures

• John 4:19–26

• Deuteronomy 18:15-19

• 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

• Psalm 34:1-3

• 1 Timothy 2:8

• Malachi 1:11

• Hebrews 9:1, 10, 24

• Philippians 3:3

• Hebrews 10:22

• Romans 9:4-5

• Jude 24-25

2. Sermon Flow & Takeaways

I. The Tension Beneath the Question (vv. 19–20)
The Samaritan woman deflects conviction by shifting the conversation to externals, raising the question of what true worship really is.

• We often hide behind debates, traditions, or distractions to avoid God’s searching gaze.

• True magnification cannot be reduced to externals but must face the living God.

II. The End of Worship-by-Address (v. 21)
Jesus declares that worship will no longer be tied to mountains or cities, but released from geography.

• Worship confined to addresses is fragile; worship grounded in God is vast and secure.

• God cannot be reduced to a location or style.

III. Knowledge Matters (v. 22)
Samaritan worship was passionate but ignorant, while Jewish worship was grounded in revelation pointing to salvation.

• Passion without truth is empty; truth without Spirit is cold.

• Worship must be anchored in God’s revealed Word, not mere sincerity.

IV. What the Father Is Seeking (vv. 23–24)
God Himself seeks worshipers who will worship in spirit and in truth.

• True worship magnifies God, not our performance or preferences.

• Worship must flow from hearts renewed by the Spirit and aligned with God’s revealed truth.

V. The Magnifying Center (vv. 25–26)
Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah, the true center of worship.

• Worship is not about a place, style, or tradition, but about Christ Himself.

• True magnification is beholding Christ and responding in faith and adoration.

VI. Magnifying Christ Together at Pineland
Our gathered worship is not human invention but God’s design, ordered by His Word and centered on Christ.

• The regulative principle ensures we do only what God commands in worship.

• Expository preaching, prayer, singing, and the sacraments are God’s means for magnifying Christ.

VII. Gospel-Fueled Obedience: How Seeing Christ Changes Us
Obedience flows not from performance or autonomy but from seeing Christ magnified.

• Worship extends into daily life through love, integrity, and witness.

• Seeing Christ reshapes our direction, like navigating by the CN Tower.

VIII. Three Surprises We Dare Not Miss

1. The Father is the seeker in worship.

2. The Messiah reveals Himself to an outcast.

3. Worship is not bound to a place but to a Person.

Conclusion
When we gather, heaven bends low and Christ is magnified among us. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

3. Primary Sources (cited)

• Gerald L. Borchert, John 1-11 (New American Commentary)

• John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of St. John

• Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible

• Augustine, Tractates on the Gospel of John

4. Additional Resources

• D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary)

• John Piper, “God Seeks People to Worship Him in Spirit and Truth” (Desiring God sermon)

• Ligon Duncan, The Regulative Principle of Worship (Ligonier Ministries article)

• Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church