Why Have We Come Here Today?
Robert Meredith
The sweet Psalmist of Israel, David, proclaimed, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). King David knew and realized what a great privilege and responsibility it was to be able to worship the Creator of all things. Many today never give a thought to rending due homage unto God. Still others worship Him vainly (Matthew 15:9, 13). There are others who are members of the House that the Lord built (Zechariah 6:13; Matthew 16:18), but they come to the worship assembly for a variety of reasons. Why do you attend the worship services?
Some attend because it is a command. It is true that the Lord commanded to attend all the assemblies that one can. In Hebrews 10:25 one reads, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…” God indeed does command His children to attend all the services, however, to attend with an improper attitude voids the worship (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Jesus said that for one to be a true worshipper he must worship in spirit. One’s attitude must be
right. If one approaches the assemblies with the mind set of “I’ve got to go” instead of “I get to go”, then his worship is not well pleasing to God.
Others attend, maybe even regularly, but they leave and never serve the Lord during the week. Samuel asked, “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). The Lord desires that man worship Him, but worship without service once one leaves the assembly is useless.
Still others “come to church” to be seen or to catch up on gossip or spread it. These attend the worship for vain and unrighteous reasons. They go to a church because they want to be seen as religious. Others go with the intention of hearing or spreading gossip. This is an evil use of the tongue (James 3:1-12).
Howbeit, God desires true worshippers, those who want to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). One’s worship must be done in this manner. If one’s attitude is wrong or if the worshipper approaches God in an unauthorized way (Genesis 4:2-7; Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Kings 12:26-33), then the worship rendered is not accepted by God. My friends, God is the Creator of all things. He determines what is to be done in worship, not man (Proverbs 14:12; Colossians 3:17). Hopefully, one attends the assembly to give himself in worship to the Almighty, as He dictates.
Too, one should assemble with the saints because of gratitude. Consider these passages as you ponder your soul’s destiny. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9). Also a reading of Isaiah 53, or the first part of Psalm 22, should generate gratitude.
Another motivating reason for attending the worship services is to grow spiritually. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Jesus also declared, “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). Peter exhorts that we should desire the word as babies desire milk (1 Peter 2:2). The Hebrew writer chastised some for their lack of knowledge (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Fellowship with Christians is another reason to assemble at the appointed time. Man is a social creature and needs association with those of kindred faith. In Acts 2:44-47, we can read of the first century church’s engaging in fellowship with one another. This social interaction can lead to the saving of souls. James reveals, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
A final reason why one should attend the services of the church is that it is our purpose. The Apostle John relates, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). From this passage we see that God, because He is the divine Creator, is deserving of and worthy to receive honor and glory. Therefore, let us follow Solomon’s closing exhortation in the book of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).