Grizz writes:
We see these displays, for example, at Christian worship services where participants singe praises and hymns with hands raised and bodies swaying. Someone is overcome with emotion and starts crying then everyone else joins in. I am not poking fun at anyone, I am just pointing out that worship can be a very emotional experience for many people of all faiths and the power of the experience translates to a reinforcement of the validity of the belief system.
Grizz such displays are nothing but emotional displays to show other's one's devotion to God. See how dedicated I am. See how Spiritual I am. Hey look at me I am a shinning example for God. That is what they are screaming.
I can't find in God's Word where He desires such shenanigans as worship. I do find where He desires obedience.
The Church was given a three fold mission by Jesus. People make up the Church.
They were told as you go through the world make disciples. (Believers are to live lives before their friends and neighbors that they can tell they have something they don't. That they may desire it.
When they are disciples, (believers) they are to be added to the Church by baptism.
Then it is the Church's responsibility to teach them the all things that Jesus commanded. These things were conveyed to us through the writers of the New Testament. These people had been taught daily for 3 1/2 years by Jesus. Except Paul who received special teaching.
Let me explain what our worship service is at the Church I pastor.
We meet on Sunday morning at 10 AM and have a 45 minute lesson. This is a prepared lesson that they have material they have studied during the week. They can ask questions and give comments on what is taught.
We have a 15 minute break between lesson and morning service.
We have 3 or 4 songs.
We talk about those on our prayer list. Add new people and Remove one's no longer requiring special prayer.
We talk about those of our membership that need special attention. We have several widows that are quite old. Many times we have work days at their houses.
If God has done something special for someone they can share it.
We take our weekly offering.
I present a 20 to 30 minute message from God's Word.
Sunday evening we meet at 6 PM.
We sing 3 songs.
Reports given if anything new.
I teach a 45 minute lesson from the Bible verse by verse. Book chosen by the membership.
Wednesday we meet at 7 PM.
We sing 4 short songs.
I teach a 30 minute lesson from the Bible. Usually one that has been requested by one of the members. Something they have a question about.
We then talk about problems among the membership that needs attention or prayer. We go over the prayer list.
We then split men in one room and women in another room for prayer. That way if there is special needs they can be talked about. Things that you would not want to talk about in a mixed group of men and women.
We meet at different times and go out on visitation.
We meet to help take care of needs of the membership.
We meet to take care of the Church and property.
These three can take place at any time.
Doing these things is what I call worship because in so doing I am being obedient to God.
Maybe I got it all wrong. But Jesus commanded me to love God above all else. He also commanded me to love my neighbor as myself. Through Paul He commanded me to take care of my brethren and sisters in Christ.
I truly love my neighbor as much as I do myself and that is why I tell everyone I can that Jesus loves them and died for them and if they will trust Him to give them eternal life they can receive a full free pardon from God.
God Bless,
"John 5:39 (KJS) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
™ Version 4.2