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)). |
| The
prayer time is a chance to speak to our Friend and our Loved
One all at once with mutual delight |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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! |
| Baptismal
services are a chance to welcome new additions to the family
as they identify themselves with Christ. These are times of special celebration |
| 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 |
| Testimonies
and missionary reports are an opportunity to rejoice in what
God is doing |
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.
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."
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 fellowshiped 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!
|
