Why Do You Attend Worship Services?
Robert Meredith
Jesus proclaimed, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). Too, He said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). One way to fulfill the above quoted scriptures is by coming together in the worship assembly to worship Him who is worthy (Revelation 4:11) and to hear and study from His word. Worship is indeed an honor and a serious, solemn and sacred service we offer to the Supreme One. People attend worship services for many different reasons; some good, some wrong. Why do you attend worship services? Let us examine reasons why some may attend.
Some attend because it is a command. Yes, the Holy Spirit, through the pen of the Hebrew writer, commands Christians to attend all of the worship assemblies. In Hebrews 10:25 He had written, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is However, worshipping with an improper attitude voids ones worship. Does one have the right kind of attitude if the only reason he attends the assembly is because he feels he has to? Ones mindset should be, I get to go worship God not Ive got to go. God requires a proper attitude. Jesus said, God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). What is your spirit (mindset or attitude) concerning worship to the Almighty? Hopefully, it is one that is motivated by love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3); love for Him and all that He has done for you.
Some may attend just to be seen. These are the ones who think of the church as a social club. Do they truly ponder things spiritual or are they more concerned with who is wearing what and who spoke to whom? Worship is directed to God, not directed to man (Matthew 4:10).
Along these same lines, some attend the worship assembly to gossip or catch up on the gossip. James wrote, But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be (James 3:8-10). Gossip is spreading tales, true or false, about an individual that will harm that person. Christian love prohibits that.
Hopefully we come to worship for the proper reason, to be a true worshipper of God. Jesus declared, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). There are two essentials to being a true worshipper. One must worship in spirit, being mentally involved and with the proper attitude, and he must worship in truth, as God directs. Man is not free to worship as he sees fit, but must worship as God instructs (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 16:25). In Acts 8:26-39 one is told of a eunuch who had been to Jerusalem for to worship (v. 27). This man had been to worship, but under an abolished system (Colossians 2:14). Therefore, his worship was not in truth and he needed guidance to be a child of God.
Another motivating factor in ones worship should be gratitude. When one reflects upon all that God has done for him, it should generate a tremendous debt of appreciation within. The Apostle Paul, in his writings to the Romans, wrote, But God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Romans 5:8-9). Gratitude should cause us to not only reflect upon His sacrifice, but also cause us to consider the penalty we do not have to pay.
Also, one should desire to attend all the services so that he may grow spiritually. Peter said, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). Jesus, as stated earlier, said, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). If one grows spiritually he shall have an abundant entrance into Heaven (2 Peter 1:11).
In 1 John 1:3 one reads, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. Another benefit of attending the worship services is the fellowship with the saints and the spiritual fellowship with God. Man is a social creature and he needs association with those of like precious faith (Acts 2:44-47).
We have looked at many different reasons why some attend the services of the church. In ones coming and worshipping God, one is fulfilling his reason for existing. Solomon declared, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).