Why Come to Church?
© Jim Cook, 1997
Some of the
greatest pleasure we get out of life comes from things we do together with other people. A
ball game. A theater event or concert. A party. A dinner. Some people even find it very
hard ever to do things alone.
Enjoying God is not something we
were meant to do in a vacuum. It can be very private. But it can also be a group activity.
Worshiping together
We so often think of worship as
a solemn event. In fact, worshipers frequently look like mourners!
Worship is not meant to be a
duty to be performed every Sunday. It is not a task to be accomplished.
Worship is a time of
celebration! Corporate worship is a time to get together with others and revel in the
glories of our God! It is a time to be thrilled by Who He is and what He is doing. It is a
time to get excited!
Instead of sitting solemnly
through a litany of hymns and scripture and exhortation, we should be hardly able to
contain ourselves because of the sheer pleasure of knowing our God and His wonders.
| The various parts of the worship service should be nothing
more than devices to aid us in focusing our worship: |
 | The
hymns are a means of expressing our mutual admiration and praise and joy together
with a single voice. David said to make a "joyful" noise! (Psalm 100:1a(KJV)).
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| The
prayer time is a chance to speak to our Friend and our Loved One all at once with
mutual delight
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| The
offering is simply a time to say "Thank you" to the One whose
"grace has no measure", whose power "has no boundaries known unto man, for
out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth, and giveth again!" (Annie
Johnson Flint)
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| The Bible
reading is a time to listen together to what our Loved One has to say. It is a
chance to focus together on the same thoughts, to be "on the same wavelength,"
both with Him and with each other
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| The
sermon is an opportunity to learn together and to grow together. We should
approach it eagerly, expecting to find out something new about the One who already excites
us!
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| Baptismal
services are a chance to welcome new additions to the family as they identify
themselves with Christ. These are times of special celebration
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| Communion
services are a moment in which to reflect with awe on the love that our God has
for us, that He would permit His beloved Son to endure the unimaginable agony of the
cross, and even more the separation between Father and Son, just in order to make it
possible for us to be part of the family. Such moments can only make our enjoyment of Him
the greater
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Testimonies and missionary reports are an opportunity to rejoice in what God is
doing
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| The
worship service is more than just the sum of its parts, though. Corporate worship
is a time to share our experiences with others, talking about our mutual Lover. It is a
time to bolster each other up with words and deeds of encouragement and aid. It is a time
to present a united front to Satan.
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Anyone who thinks
that attending church is dull has failed to understand the concept of corporate worship.
Worship should affect us almost as though we were having a party! It should be a time of
pleasurable emotion, a time of buoyed hopes, of refreshment and contentment. How can we
stand missing such an opportunity! It should be as essential as bread and water!
And best of all, it is a time to
get together with our God without distraction. Its a family time! A group time. And He is
there!
Matthew 18:20--"For where two or three come together in
my name, there am I with them."
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The early Church didn't meet
together every week. They met together every day, hours upon end. They encouraged each
other. They shared with each other. They fellowshipped with God and each other.
Worship services
in previous centuries, even early into our century, lasted all day, sometimes for several
days. It is only in our society of false priorities that we have trouble squeezing out an
hour for the One we love!
Corporate worship is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. Our worship
is not a do-it-yourself project. It is a come-as-you-are party!
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