Your true religion is what you do when you are alone. Man is a multi-sensory being, and the only experience in life that can satisfy ALL our senses is worship. The most powerful evangel is a congregation in worship. Another defining term of worship is "The Sense & Service of God". You cannot serve him without sensing Him in your life. If you sense Him without serving Him, you are not worshiping Him. For true worship to happen, we must first worship individually before we come together in corporate worship. Worship requires a complete submission of every part of us to enter into the presence of our God who is transcendent. The Lord's Supper is a beautiful demonstration that takes into consideration all of our senses, i.e.: taste, touch, sight, forgiveness, hope, etc. My life must be consistent with my worship. I must first come to a worship service because I am already a worshiper of the Living God. Everything in my life converges on the fact that I am a worshiper of God! When our pastor prepares and preaches a sermon, it is a first an expression of worship to God, then to the hearers.
There must be unity to experience true worship. You cannot worship unless there is unity. Unity does mean sameness, but we are of one accord in the Spirit of God. One heart, one soul, one mind. We need to prostrate ourselves before Him, meaning to to kiss, as we bow down before the One we revere in worship. Music is an important part of worship. Music bypasses the brain and goes right to the soul. This is why it is important to listen to and sing songs that edify Jesus as we raise our voices in songs of praise.
Our service is also a part of our worship. When we pray, minister to others, visit someone who is sick, take a meal in, serve in the nursery or pre-school, teach a class or Bible study, help someone who has a need, give financially to a special need, etc., we are worshiping Jesus. He is worthy of all our worship and praise!!
JOHN 4:24: God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth.
LUKE 4:8: Jesus answered, "It is written: worship the Lord your God and serve Him only!
Learn to worship, for it is your eternal occupation!!!
LINDA DAVIS