Question concerning worship?

Question

I had the priviledge of seeing singer-songwriter Dennis Jurnigan (You are my All in All) the last 2 nights at our church. What a wonderful worship experience it truly was. I've never been the type of believer who throws his hands up in the air in worship like alot of people do during the music......and my question is about that.

Are some of us Christians just a whole lot more thankful than others?

I know I'm saved and I am forever greatful for that. But I just don't show it during worship......but others do......and sometimes go overboard with it a little. I don't want to attract attention in church......I'd rather be humble in my worship.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Primo

Answer 1

It is really difficult to be conservative in your worship when someone like Dennis Jurnigan, Fernando Ortega, or Chirs Tomlin are singing. They just have a way of getting you in that mode of thankful surrender.

God has many children, and He loves each and every one equally--though they are all different in how they approach Him. Some approach with boldness, others in meekness and fear, another with dancing, and yet another with humbleness of heart. All are welcome--all are loved.

There are those, like David, who come to God as if one with His heart. This is done with repentance, then thankfulness, then rejoicing, and yes, even dancing. God loves exuberance when giving Him glory, but He loves it no matter how it is expressed. Whether a gentle, "Ahh, glory." or and up and down "Praise JESUS, He's so AWESOME!" God loves it all and inhabits the praises of His people.

What you cite in your details is emotion, and really is not that good an indicator of the joy in your heart. You can be at a funeral for a deceased, fellow believer. The emotional side of you is sad in never seeing or fellowshipping with them again in this world. Yet your spirit rejoices in spite of your emotions in that he has a new body, fellowshipping with the Lord, and we will see them again.

So if some people show more enthusiasm in their worship, and you stand there a bit more reserved, do not feel as if the worship you are having in your heart is of less sweet smelling savor unto God. God meets you where you are at. And yes, some times exuberance can be distracting. But then again, it can also kick you in to gear to put a little more umph in your praise.

As an example. My wife and I were in the back of our fellowship. There was this tall, lanky teen who always falls to his knees with his hands raised high. My wife and I saw him do this many times, then one time my wife spoke to me and said, "You really got to admire the passion." So I looked at her and said, "So what is stopping us?" We both got on our knees, raised our hands and really got into the worship. It really felt good to break that conservative barrier--if not for that morning. We did this, not because we wanted people to look at us, but rather because He is worthy--nothing more.

Answer 2

I don't have alot of recent 'church' experience, since I just started going however....

The second time I attended this church that I am fairly fond of, the message from the preacher was just point blank aimed at me, from God. It was obvious, there wasn't anything in that message that I hadn't been thinking or saying at that very moment to God.

It was a powerful message (maybe just to me because of the circumstances) but I sat there, wide eyed and not sure I breathed.

This gal across the church, kept yelling praises during the sermon and at times, prevented me from hearing all the pastor was saying. It was very annoying I thought. I'm sure we each worship in our own way, but she definately was covering up what he was trying to convey.

I'm not a real public show of attention person, I requested the copy of the sermon from the pastor and read what I was missing.

To each their own, but some do go overboard I do agree.

Answer 3

I think it's just a personal choice. No one can judge you for lifting your hands or not lifting your hands. Do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do during your worship and worship freely if you feel the joy overflowing inside of your spirit.

Most importantly, pray about it and read up on worship in the scriptures. I know that, especially in the Old Testament, the followers of God would dance before the Lord in their worship (as King David did). I believe that God will lead your heart into the truth of what He desired from you in your worship.

Answer 4

I tend not to use the word worship, but sometimes I do - it just depends on the context. Worship often takes on a meaning of lowering oneself or groveling before another and I don't do that. My gods don't want me to cower. I am respectful when I come before my gods. I think that worship is an appropriate term for what I do. I honor my gods, I am devoted to them, reverence is offered.. these are all parts of worship. There is an expectation with my gods that I be worthy enough to worship them - I guess that is why "honor" is a more suitable word than "worship". I could be a good for nothing and worship them, but to honor them means I must bring myself up and be honorable myself apart from anything I do specifically for them.

Answer 5

Hi Primo.
I am basically a conservative guy. and feel uncomfortable lifting my hands during the worship service.
However some times when the Spirit of the lord is moving mightily, I do release my inhibition, and praise God with all of me.
I once did a study on why we raise our hands in worship, and this is what I found.
people with their hands held at waist high, with their palms turned up, are ready to receive whatever the lord has for them.
other fling their hands toward Heaven, releasing their burdens to God.
others with their hands raised, and hand far apart, are telling the Lord, I love you this much, just like our children do to us.
and a Child will lead them, and that is why i raise my hand in worship to the lord sometimes, as a sacrifice of praise, is spite of what others might think, that is my way of saying "lord I will praise you, no matter what other might think"

Answer 6

Scripture is divided on this issue. As you've read in some of the other responses, you can choose which scripture you wish to follow. When I was a Christian, I believed that God was everywhere and in everything, so it really didn't matter if you raised your hands to heaven or placed them upon the ground in submission or simply sat where you were, praising silently. How you show you praise is not for other people to observe, it is for you to express to your god. Do it how ever you feel the need to. Your praise is your praise, not anyone else's.

Some people do show outward praise in order to look good in front of others. Some do so because it's what they've been taught to do, so they think it's the only right way to do it. You know better. Praise the way you feel is right, and don't worry about anyone else. At the end of the day, you know how you feel, and your god knows as well.

Edit: Wow, two thumbs down, and I didn't even say anything negative, I simply echoed what is in the bible. I wonder why that is?

Answer 7

Read what Jesus said about the Pharisee and the publican praying in public..... it's not where your hands are, it's where your heart is.

Some people I believe sincerely find closeness to the Lord in worshipping that way (hands raised), others are probably doing it either for show or because they saw someone else doing it and just think they are supposed to.

I'm like you--I worship humbly, with my hands folded or by my side. I find at least some of the hand waving and clapping to be a distraction to me during worship. When my kids were little, it was harder for me to teach them to be still and reverent in church when they saw other adults moving around and making noise--it was hard for me to teach them the difference between that kind of praising and fidgeting.

I suppose that part of the tolerance level for this type of praise and worship depends somewhat on what you're used to, so I'm not going to judge what others do or why--I'm just stating how I react to it based on where I am in my Christian walk. The Bible teaches me that the Holy Spirit doesn't call attention to Himself, but always points to the Son. So I don't believe the Spirit is going to move me to move in such a way that I may distract others from the clear focus on Jesus.

I also don't clap for performers when they sing in church--if we praise them on earth, we rob them of the praise they will get in heaven if they were truly singing for and to the Lord. I too went to a Christian concern recently and it was a bit much when folks were clapping for a prayer. I understand that many who attend concerts such as this probably weren't raised in church and have no concept of the difference. But hopefully if they do get saved and start walking with the Lord, they will eventually be led toward reverence and holiness.

Back to my original statement--that's the test of true worship and I stand by it.

Answer 8

You know I love to worship- and ( well now that we moved to a different church and go to the adult bible study, there is no worship, sigh, so I will have to figure out something) But anyways when at our old church I loved to sing, and if I did not know a song, I usually did not raise my hands or close my eyes and really "worship" because I had to read the lyrics on the overhead projector. But when I know a song- I love to close my eyes and at times raise my hands, but not wave them around...sometimes I only raise one hand-- just whatever comes to me....but most people I know in church do not attract attention, mostly because most of the people worshipping are also closing their eyes as well and focusing on the Lord and the music we are praising Him with. But it is just whatever I feel led to do at that moment. Sometimes I have been a bit silly in my thinking in that I should raise my hand at least once during worship--- but it is not about that! It is about where our hearts are. And I actually love to raise my hand at times to the Lord giving Him the honor. That is what it is about. Some people are more comfortable in just letting go at worship and not caring what others think- they sing LOUD and raise their hands, or clap loud....I love when I hear someone singing really loud like they just dont' care but are truly worshipping the Lord ( especially when they cannot stay in tune LOL) But to see the JOY of the Lord in them...that is pretty cool. The only thing that distracts me at worship is if someone is tapping me on the shoulder to say something- or move past me down the aisle. ( which used to happen sometimes)

Answer 9

Brother Primo,

John 4:23
But an hour is coming and it is now when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truthfulness for the Father also seeks such to worship Him.

Whether in a way that is personal and quieter or in a way that is expressed more exuberantly, the source needs to be from our spirit and in truthfulness. Our spirit expresses itself in different ways. Our spirit is also expressed from our soul through our bodies. Man is a tripartite being ( 1 Thess 5:23). Our spirit needs to be the leading part of our being in worship, in living... in all that we are in all our environments..

Because we are so different in our personality our worship before the Lord will reflect our inner make up.. but brother.. the source is crucial.
If we are worshipping God in a shallow way from our soul only then we are not worhshipping God but ourselves.We are there for the wrong reason... but if our worship is from our spirit then the Lord in us has a way to regulate us according to what He is doing on the inside.

SOmetimes we will come out of all our considerations in worship. The quieter brother or sister may be more expressive and the more expressive brother or sister more inward and " Still in his soul".
But the source... HAS to be our spirit if it is to be true worship unto the Lord.

I am always reminded that the Lord that we worship in an outward way is the same Lord that indwells us. He is so near and dear to us.

Good question...
Your sister
Sandy

Answer 10

It IS my nature to throw up my hands in worship and cry my eyes out but I only do that alone.
I go to a conservative church and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this. BUT in heaven there will be no insecurities about worship! Whoo hoo! We will sing, we will dance we will shout to the Lord praise!

I think it isn't good nor bad but we as Americans are just more conservative IMHO. Some churches aren't and that's so great.

†

Answer 11

Good morning Primo, How r u today? Haven't been online in a few days, & I have received mail from you & others during that time, I apologize for the delay in responding. With that said, here's my thoughts to your question: I can't say what other Christians answer to being more thankful than other Christians. I can answer for myself as a Christian about how I feel God's presence in my life. In church, on occasions I have witnessed people saying outloud things I have heard before (aka speaking in tongues), but I don't understand these sayings. I am a firm believer that God speaks to people and people have different ways to express this spiritual experience. As you, I know I'm saved, I know and feel God's presence in my life, I hear God speak to me, and my faith in God continues to grow in my heart and in my life. Primo, there is not a rule on how to worship and praise God in public or private. In church, I listen to the pastor's sermon, I sing the hymns, I don't have a plan when I go to church & I keep my heart, eyes and ears open to God; I go to church as an individual. I don't look around at the congregation to see what they are doing. Please notice all of the I's (myself) in my last sentences. So, my answer to your question is you, as an individual, worship God and His Spirit with your heart, with your faith, and your love for God. You shouldn't worry about attracting attention, you shouldn't have any worries at all when you are in God's House. When I am at chuch, at home, in my car, I pray to God about my life, my worries, my problems and I put my life in His Hands. I know that the life I'm living at this very second is God's Will and I know that the path I'm going down is God's Will, and I have and always will accept the path my life is taking b/c it is God's Will. I accept the problems that I experience b/c of my faith in God. My life is God's Will. Primo, I added a lot more to my answer to your question...I get on a roll and this has become a habit that I've gotta get a grip on. I apologize for talking about my life and then some. I'm closing now...Primo, there is no right or wrong way to worship God....God loves us all no matter how we give thanks, praise Him, love Him, worship Him! Take Care...Be Safe...God Bless...CeCe