I'm new
What Should I Expect?
The worship experience at Gateway Community Church is full of the life of the Spirit. People singing, lifting hands, clapping, shouting, kneeling, or even weeping during the music can be new to some. Yet these and other activities are simply the natural reaction to God's presence, and are documented throughout the scriptures.
Anointing With Oil
We anoint with oil for divine healing because in the Bible we read, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James
).
Assembling Together
We assemble together to encourage each other because in the Bible we read, "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews
-25).
Clapping Hands & Shouting
Clapping our hands and shouting are outlets we use to release our praise. Certainly Gods' worthy of our praise for the ultimate victory He has won. We clap and shout unto God because in the Bible we read, "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!" (Psalm 47:1).
Corporate Prayer
Our verbal expression of the requests we make to the Lord are a part of the dynamic of corporate worship. In the scripture we read, "they raised their voices together in prayer to God" (Acts
, NIV).
Financial Gifts
We give financial gifts because in the Bible we read, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse" (Mal.
). Even Jesus noticed the heartfelt worship of a widow: "... this poor widow cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all gave of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:43-44).
Kneeling
As we realize who we are, compared to the greatness of God, kneeling can become a natural, outward expression of meekness, humility & submission. We kneel because in the Bible we read, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker" (Psalm 95:6).
Laying On Of Hands
We lay our hands as a point of identification with the area of need being prayed for. We lay our hands on those whose lives we pray over because in the Bible we read,"They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mark
).
"When Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6). "Having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away" (Acts 13:3). "When they had prayed, they laid hands on them" (Acts 6:6).
Lifting Hands
As the worship begins, and the Holy Spirit touches hearts, thankfulness and surrender sometimes causes us to lift our hands. We lift our hands in praise because in the Bible we read, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD" (Psalm 134:2).
Playing Instruments & Dancing
We play musical instruments and dance before the LORD because in the Bible we read, "Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!" (Psalm 150:4).
Sharing The Word
We preach and teach the Word of God because in the Bible we read, "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians
).
Singing
We sing with all our hearts because in the Bible we read, "Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises" (Psalm 98:4).
Spiritual Gifts
We allow the operation of the spiritual gifts because in the Bible we read, "Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation (1 Cor.
)
Falling Out In The Spirit
At times the power of the Holy Spirit is so strong that people fall to the ground. We read in the Bible, "When He [Jesus] said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground" (John 18:6).
May the Lord Bless Your Worship Experience Today !!!