Worship?

In his book "Paul’s Sermon on Mars’ Hill," Mack Lyon writes: “if what I am reading in the religious press and seeing in religious television and witnessing in some places I go is a true representation, the modern church is falling shamefully short of obeisance. We are missing that sense of awe in the presence of the Almighty.”

 

I have no idea what it means to worship. I have never had the impulse to throw myself at some one's feet or even God. I do not experience "awe:" a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

I don't associate worship with our assembly. Hebrews says we assemble to provoke each other to love and good works and Paul told the church in Rome worship was presenting their bodies as living sacrifices. The bible says Abraham believed God. God spoke directly to Abraham he does not speak directly to me.  Today, how can I believe God? Believe him about what he doesn't say anything to me?

 

For those who believe our assembly is worship we are missing the mark. We are referred to as an “audience.” Audiences are spectators an assembly of worshipers are not spectators.

 

If the assembly is for worship and if there are "five acts of worship" what does singing to each other; praying for ourselves; listening to a speech; remembering what Jesus did for us have to do with worship?. We have memorials all the time and do not consider it worship; and giving for our own benefit?

 

Again in Mack Lyon's book: There are six Greek words, or word families, that translate into our English words "worship," "worshipped," "worshiping." and so on....The most commonly used word defines worship as an act of homage or reverence; to make obeisance, to do reverence to or toward, to kiss. Another word means to revere and emphasizes the emotions of awe and devotion. Another word means to bow the knee before the object of worship. Still another word conveys the idea of sacrificial offerings. One word even implies a pattern for religious service."

Ralph Gilmore, Freed-Hardeman University, Gospel Advocate, August 1995 summarized these for his definition about the motivations of worship: "Worship is a special combination of gifts from the mind and heard poured out in the presence of God. Thus, worship should have these motivations: (1) making obeisance (reverence, respect, honor) to someone greater; (2) of feeling awe in His presence; reverently bowing our knees before him; (4) humbly offering our lives in sacrificial service to Him; and (5) establishing a pattern of life consistent with our worship."

How do those definitions relate to our assembly?

Do you suppose Aaron or Moses interrupted the sacrifices to announce a lunch in a couple of weeks or a special collection for gentile babies?