Gathering For Worship On the Lord's Day
We need to practice both private and public worship. Both are important! However, we are told in the Word to gather for public worship; the Bible also teaches us not to forsake this group. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24 - 25).
When we gather with other Christians for worship we tell the world we are believers and that these people are our brother and sisters in Christ. What a great way to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. The flipside is also true -- by forsaking the gathering you are denying Jesus and telling those who are gathered that they are not very important to you. More than this, you dishonor the Lord who died and was raised again to save you from an empty life.
Jesus, by His words and life taught the importance of meeting with God’s people for worship. Jesus, before His three years of earthly ministry, met each week in the synagogue to worship. Luke 4:16 reads, “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.” Jesus attended and participated in weekly worship gatherings.
He continues to meet with us as we as we gather for worship celebrations. The Lord’s presence is with us in a special way when we gather together to celebrate His goodness to us. Jesus said “that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19 - 20). As we meet for worship we are doing eternal business. As we pray we effect the spiritual and physical world around us! Time spent worshipping is time invested in eternity!
Thomas, who we call Doubting Thomas, is an illustration of a disciple who decided to stay home instead of meeting with God’s people for worship and missed seeing the risen Lord. The next week Thomas made it a point to be present and see for himself. Sure enough, the Lord appeared again and knew that Thomas had missed the last meeting.
Imaging if a friend of yours was to be honored at a gathering. This person helped you many, many times and never asked for anything in return. On the night of the big event you yawned lazily and thought to yourself, “I’m kind of tired tonight. I think I’ll just skip my friend’s big night.” How would your friend feel if he knew you could have attended but chose to stay home? When we meet for worship celebrations, our purpose is to lift up the name of Jesus and honor Him. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to praise Him!
Worship is a daily decision. You say in your heart, “Today, Jesus, I’m putting you first. I’ll honor and esteem You above anyone or anything.” May the Lord give us the grace to do what we know to be right and the courage to publicly acknowledge Him.
Don't miss out on the blessing the Lord has for you by skipping gathering with your friends for worship this week!
See you by and by,
Parish
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