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       #Post#: 102--------------------------------------------------
       The Right Way To Worship - Christianity
       By: Smartjohns Date: January 5, 2017, 9:27 am
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       Isn't it amazing how differently people worship? Some are loud
       and expressive. Some are quiet and solemn. Some kneel, some
       stand the whole service, some dance, others just sit. Some sing
       praise songs, others sing hymns, others sing only psalms, others
       chant. Some read their prayers, others write their prayers,
       others tell God whatever pops into their minds at the moment,
       others speak in unknown languages. Some take Communion every
       week, others once a month, or even less often. Some worship in
       beautiful church buildings, others in storefronts, others in
       homes. For some, preaching is the centerpiece of worship, for
       others it's only a minor part.
       Are there right and wrong ways to worship? Certainly. But what
       makes worship right or wrong is not your posture, your music, or
       whether you raise your hands, clap your hands, or fold your
       hands. When a woman asked Jesus about different ways of
       worshiping, Jesus replied, "A time is coming and has now come
       when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and
       truth" ( John 4:23, NIV).
       Worshiping "in spirit" means that you mean it; that you're
       worshiping inside out, not just going through the motions.
       Worshiping "in truth" means that you're worshiping the true God
       and not some idol you've created.
       And it means you're being truthful with your words and thoughts
       that you bring to worship; you're not trying to put on a
       religious act to impress someone. Throughout history, Christians
       have agreed that several key elements are important in worship:
       1) Praise. Giving honor and glory to God with words, songs or
       art.
       2) Confession. Worship means acknowledging who God is (holy and
       good) and who we are (not so holy and not so good) in relation
       to him. This means admitting and confessing our sin, and
       accepting God's forgiveness.
       3) Prayer. In worship, we speak directly to God about what's on
       our minds (our needs and the needs of others) and what's on
       God's mind (his desire for love and justice and redemption in
       the world).
       4) Hearing God's Word. This means reading the Scripture. It also
       means listening for what God is saying to you through the music,
       the sermon and everything that happens in worship.
       5) Remembering Christ's sacrifice. This is most clearly done by
       taking Communion. Thinking about how God saved us from sin is at
       the very center of our worship.
       6) Responding to God's love. Worship doesn't end when the
       service is over. Worship means we leave the service so aware of
       God's greatness that we find ways to obey and honor and serve
       him throughout the week.
       Marshall, a former pastor, is editor of Leadership Journal, a
       magazine for pastors.
       Source: www.christianitytoday.com
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