Physical Expressiveness Part 1: Ten Problems With It

What kinds of physical expressiveness are appropriate and God-honoring when the church gathers? How should we think through the issues of distraction, potential hypocrisy, tradition, and emotionalism? Does this issue even matter? In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine, part 1 of 3, David and Bob talk about ten reasons people give for avoiding or minimizing physcial expresiveness in the church.
Scriptures referenced in this episode:
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”” (John 4:24, ESV)
“When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:15, ESV)
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”” (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
“But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”” (Habakkuk 2:20, ESV)
“But all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40, ESV)
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV)
“And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.” (1 Kings 18:28-29, ESV)
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 22:3, ESV)
Have a question about this episode? Shoot us an email at [e-mail]
Follow us
Website: sovereigngrace...​​​​​​
Facebook: / sovereigngracemusic
Instagram: / sovgracemusic
Twitter: / sovgracemusic​​​​​​
#soundplusdoctrine​​​​​​ #sovereigngracemusic

[@EdwardPrah]

This is very interesting. I think I have been very expressionless most of my life due to trauma and hurts I carried. I actually had a condition called gynecomastia, breast tissue young boys can get during puberty. For at least 8 years or so I was totally expressionless and did not want to be seen in public.
I was also made fun of by a little girl for trying to sing when I was young.
So I've loved music and singing but never showed expression in public due to this.
More recently, I've decided to break out of these fears and learn to sing.
When I am at home, I focus on the words I sing, and I worship God with passion and imagine it's me and Him or imagine the entire body of Christ worshiping with no pressures or condemnation and I feel the Presence of the LORD heavily.
I do this in a reverential way where my sanctification is helping me discern what is acceptable.
I am currently trying to translate that into worship at church but I see it may take time since my wounds are healing. Thank you for this great topic!

[@georgeopie934]

Great to address this! It SHOULD be natural and is frustrating when we hold back from full worship of God when we willingly “worship” sports teams, sports players, actors/actresses, entertainers.

[@vickibethobrien7564]

To the hypocrisy point, I struggle when someone stands like a soldier in practice or looks totally bored and then they become this worship-hand-raising-music-video-performance-fanatic in the “performance.” It’s like they only feel anything when people are watching 🤔 that’s a big turnoff to me.

[@danandamyperont6763]

@Sound + Doctrine
What about the 7 beautiful Hebrew words for praise or worship found in the OT that demonstrate such a different description of worship than what “conservative Christian’s” believe is what God “accepts” from his people? Why don’t we encourage believers to worship the way Gods chosen people did and the way the Psalmists did? We’re so worried about “chaos”. Do we really think that millions of Hebrews dancing and singing and praising with their physical bodies was neat and tidy?? We may be overemphasizing some things and missing the point of others altogether. I would love to hear Sovereign Grace’s take on a Hebrew word study in praise and worship in one of your podcasts.
1. Yadah: to revere or worship with extended hands. To hold out the hands. To throw a stone or arrow. Over 11 times in Scriptire
2. Halal: to boast. To rave. To shine. To celebrate. To be *clamorously foolish*. Primary Hebrew word for praise in the psalms.
3. Zamar: to make music. To celebrate in song and music. To touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument.
4. Towdah: an extension of the hand. Thanksgiving. A confession. A sacrifice of praise thanksgiving for things not yet received. A choir of worshippers.
5. Batak: to knee. To bless God as an act of adoration. To praise. To salute. To thank.
6. Tehillah: laudatory. A hymn. A song of praise. A new song. A spontaneous song.
7. Shabach: to address in a loud tone. To shout. To commend glory and triumph.
(Credit D Whitehead and C Tomlin)

[@mattmclendon8291]

I like to moonwalk 😇

[@greyhairedgrammie]

#5 should be Barak or, my preference, Barach.

[@meaganlingenhoel3836]

Guys! Too short! These podcasts are too full of such content that 25 minutes to 30 is too short! People would still listen if it;s an hour!

[@mentallychallenged5764]

I’d like to hear Bob’s thoughts on parenting. I see his children in some videos. And it means that his Christianity hasn’t scared them away.

[@patriciavarga4084]

So relatable since we both went thru identical paths to sanctification Bob, if that’s the right word.

[@danandamyperont6763]

I’m chuckling, about your comment/experience in about South Africa. I live in SA and worship is VERY expressive here in many many churches. Hmmm. I wonder what group you were ministering to here. 😊

[@normaquaranta]

Quiero escucharlos con la traducción al español. O un texto que resuma lo charlado. Por favor!!

[@enzocenturion4165]

Está la traducción automática

[@enzocenturion4165]

No es perfecta pero sirve para entender en su mayoria

[@cuttingitstraight6688]

This is an important aspect of leading congregations. Many people tend to perform on stage to get the congrgation do the motions. Getting to authentic expressions is attained through discipleship in knowing God. The more we know him the more expression we can bring out in honour of him according to our God given personalities.

[@samholmes6610]

Thank you for the podcast … listening from Argentina

[@akapple3538]

4:25 Content starts here

[@ab.5650]

😊