(This is #177 in the Praise & Worship Series)
Introduction: As we continue our study on Praise and Worship, we are seeing how important it is to praise and worship. All the various expressions of praise we exhibit before the Lord increases that thirst within. To enter into praise and worship gives a release within, it causes fear, anxiety, trouble and worry to vanish. Today we look at some more expressions of praise and worship.

I. The Dance.

A. Dancing is a highly demonstrative and emotional form of praise.

1. The dance has met with much opposition and criticism.
2. Clear your mind now of comparing secular dancing with spiritual dancing.

B. Dancing involves the use of the whole body in order to express joy, praise and worship before the Lord.

1. NOTE: The Greek and Hebrew translation of the word dance.
a. Several varieties of meanings - - leaping, skipping, lifting of the feet and jumping.
b. To me this says that spiritual dancing is yery different from secular dancing.
c. Scriptural dance is spontaneous, un-rehearsed, responsive of joy before the Lord.
1. An excellent example. Acts 3:6-10
2. Remember the dance was a very integral part of worship with the children of Israel. a. Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4

II. Instances of dancing in the Bible.

A. To celebrate salvation and deliverance.

1. After Israel crossed the Red Sea. Exodus 15:20
2. Jephthah returning from a great victory. Judges 11:34

B. To rejoice because of restoration.

1. David danced before the Lord when the Ark of the Covenant was being restored back to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6:14-16, l Chronicles 15:29.
2. Jeremiah prophesied concerning the glorious restoration to come. Jeremiah 31 :13.
a. Note the time = Lamentations 5:15
b. Joel 1:12 = When joy is lost. [as in some today]
c We can sing, shout, raise our hands and dance when we come out of captivity. Psalm 126:3. (somebody shout]
3. Dancing in the New Testament.
a. Some argue that dancing was only in the Old Testament.
b. Remember the meaning = to leap, jump, skip, lifting the feet.
c. Acts 3:8 = The lame man healed.
d. Acts l~l0 = another lame man healed.

C. The New Testament Greek word. Agalliao = to jump for joy.

1] Luke 6:23 2] Acts 16:34 3] l Peter 4:13 4] Revelation 19:7

III. Some aspects of Scriptural dance.

A. It is spontaneous and unsophisticated.

1. Skipping, leaping, gyrating, with or without music. I Chronicles 15:29, Psalm 149:3, Exodus 15:20-21
2.Could be with a group or individual.
3. Not dancing with opposite sex.
4. No age limit = young or old.
5. As God restored Israel. Same today. Jeremiah 31:4, 13.

B. There is a warning in dancing.

1. Remember the "Charismatic Ballet"?
2. Dancing in the spirit is no different than singing, shouting, raising the hands etc.
3. What happened in the wilderness? Exodus 32:19

Conclusion: One often says, "I have nothing to dance about." Are you saved? If so, we should all dance before the Lord to express our joy and thanksgiving.

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