Worship in a gathering Encountering God together Lisa Scheffler, author

WhyshouldwegotochurchonSundays?Tosomepeoplewhohavegonetochurchaslongastheycanremember,thatfeelslikeanalmostsacrilegiousquestion.OfcourseyougotochurchonSundays!It’swhatChristiansdo.

Butwhy?Withsomanysermonsandworshipsongsavailableonline,andsmallgroupsofbelieversmeetingthroughouttheweek,manypeoplearewonderingwhyit’simportanttogetup,getdressedanddrivetoachurchservice.Isitreallynecessaryforustoworshipinagathering?

Sinceit’soneofChristFellowship’sFourPractices,youalreadyknowthatwe’regoingtosay“yes.”Butthroughourfocusonthispractice,wehopethatwe’llallbetterunderstandandappreciatethereasonswhyitisessentialthatwecometogetherasalocalexpressionofthebodyofChrist.We’llrecognizethatcomingtoaworshipgatheringgrantsusanopportunitytoexperiencethepresenceandactivityofthelivingGodtogetherwithourchurchfamily,andthatbecausetheSpiritmovesin,throughandamonghispeople,ourparticipationinthesegatheringsisaresponsibilityandaprivilege.

Thisweek,we’llconsiderwhattheNewTestamenttellsusaboutgatheringforworship,howweshouldparticipateinaworshipgatheringandtakeacloserlookatoneofthesacramentsJesusexplicitlycallsustoobserve.

Day 1 | Worship with expectancy Inthemodernchurch,wesometimesthinkof“worship”asthesingingwedoduringachurchserviceandforgetthatit’ssomuchmorethanthat.WorshipisourposturetowardGodandmustinvolvethewholeperson—ouremotions,intellect,willandactions.Inworship,weacknowledgeandappreciateGodforwhoheisandareremindedofourdependenceonhim.Collectively,weofferourpraiseandinvitehisactivity.Wedothisthroughsong,prayer,theWord,theLord’sSupper,baptismandourfinancialofferings.Ultimately,actsofworshipareactsoffaithandallegiance.

WhilethereisnoorderofserviceorspecificlistofguidelinesaboutworshipservicesintheNewTestament,wedoknowthattheapostleshadcertainexpectationsaboutwhattheassemblyshould(andshouldnot)dowhenitgatheredtoworship.MuchofwhattheearlychurchdidwhenitgatheredcamefromitsJewishheritageanditsunderstandingofwhatChrist’slife,deathandresurrectionaccomplished.

Acoupleofweeksago,westudiedasectionofActs2asamodelforbiblicalcommunity,butlet’slookagainatitsdescriptionofaworshipgathering:

Acts2:41–4341Thosewhoacceptedhismessagewerebaptized,andaboutthreethousandwereaddedtotheirnumberthatday.

42Theydevotedthemselvestotheapostles’teachingandtofellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtoprayer.43Everyonewasfilledwithaweatthemanywondersandsignsperformedbytheapostles.

What practices were present in these gatherings according to verse 42?

According to verse 43, what experience did the people often have?

AccordingtothedescriptionoftheearlychurchinActs2,theteachingoftheWord,fellowship,prayerandtheLord’sSupperwerepresentduringtheassembliesofnewbelievers.Thebaptismofnewconvertsandsinginghymnswerepartofthesegatheringsaswell.

TheSpiritwaspresentandmovedinthesegatherings.“Signsandwonders”mayhavebeenperformedbytheapostles,butGodalwaystakestheinitiativewhenitcomestodemonstratinghispresenceandpower.SurelythesebelieverslivedwithanexpectancythattheSpiritwouldbeactiveintheirmidst.Shouldwehavethesameexpectancynow?

WhetherweshouldexpectmiraculoussignstooccurroutinelyinaworshipgatheringisamatterofsomedebateamongChristians.SomecharismaticandPentecostalchurchesputtheonusonus—ifwearenotexperiencingmiracles,thenitisbecausewearenotinvitingthem;ourfaithistoosmall.YetJesuswasclearthattheSpiritmoveswherehewill(John3:8).Hecannotbesummonedorcoerced.

Yetsurelythereisaproblemwiththeotherendofthespectrum.ManyChristiansseemtolackevenadesirefor,muchlessanexpectationthat,theSpiritwillbeactiveandpresentduringourworshipservices.Wearriveatchurchhopingforanupliftingsermon,goodmusic,andachancetoseeourfriends.DowecomewithasenseofanticipationthatwewillexperiencethelivingGod?

OurworshipgatheringsshouldbeareflectionofourrelationshiptoGodasourCreator,Lord,FatherandSavior.Assuchwerespondtohimwithtrust,obedienceandlove.Wearenotcomingtoworshipanempty,vacantfaçade,oradistant,absentdeity,butthelivingGodwhoispresentandactiveinourworldtoday.WerecognizethatamongthemanykindnesseswereceivefromGod,includingoursalvation,wearegiftedwithhisholypresenceandempoweringSpirit.

Inhisbook,YouAreWhatYouLove,Smithremindsusthat“theTriuneGodisboththeaudienceandtheagentofworship”OurworshipistoandforGod,andGodisactiveinworshipinandthroughtheproclamationoftheWordandthesacramentssuchasbaptismandtheLord’s

Supper.1Weproclaimhisgoodnessandrespondwithprayerandthanksgiving.Heinhabitsourpraises,nourishesuswithhisWordandmeetsusinthesacraments.Worshipissupernatural!

How have you experienced God as present and active in worship gatherings?

TheancienttabernaclewhereIsraelworshippedGodgivesusaonepictureoftheinteractionbetweenGodandtheworshiper.Forexample,GodhadthepeoplebuildanaltarofincensetobelitdailyinsidetheHolyPlace(Exodus30:1–10).Thefragrantsmokewouldwaftoutwardandupward,fillingthechamber.Scriptureoftenlikensincensetoprayer(Psalm141:2;Revelations5:8).Thisimagehelpsusenvisionourpraise,confession,thanksgivingandrequestsbeinglifteduptoGodasapleasingaroma.OurworshipisanofferingtoGodthatheishappytoreceive.Itisaresponsetothegracehehasshoweredonus.Weofferbecausewehavereceived.

Alsointhetabernaclewasthetableoftheshowbread,sometimescalledthebreadofpresence.Eachweek,thepriestsweretoputtwelveloavesofbreadonthetable.Thisbreadresembledthefoodofferingspagannationsofferedtotheirgods,buttherewasasignificantdifference.Godinstructedtheprieststoeatthebreadinhispresence.AspartoftheirworshipofYahweh,thepriestsnotonlybroughthimofferings,butwerenourishedbyhimaswell.TheywerewelcomedtohistableandinvitedtofellowshipwithGod.

WeseebreadusedasasymbolthroughoutScripturetoremindusthatourGodprovidesforus,desiresfellowshipwithusandnourishesus.ItisoftenconnectedtotheWordofGod.Duringhistemptation,JesusrebukedSatanbyquotingDeuteronomy,“Manshallnotliveonbreadalone,butoneverywordthatcomesfromthemouthofGod”(Matthew4:4).TheprophetJeremiahsaystoGod,“Whenyourwordscame,Iatethem;theyweremyjoyandmyheart'sdelight...”(Jeremiah15:16).

WewilltalkmoreindepthabouttheLord’sSuppertomorrow,buthereweseeanotherexampleofGod’sprovisionandfellowship.ThereisastrongconnectionbetweentheactofphysicallyingestingtheelementsoftheLord’sSupperandbeingspirituallynourishedbytheHolySpirit.

Inourworshipgatherings,weexperienceGod’sprovisionandpresencethroughtheWordandthetable.What’smore,wedothistogether,asthebodyofChrist.Asindividualswhomakeupthebody,weofferourselvestohiminworshipandpleasehimwithourprayers.Godispresentandactiveinourworshipgatherings.Thequestionweneedtoaskourselvesandeachotheris:Arewepreparedtomeethimthere?

Prayer for the week:

HeavenlyFather,IamsogratefulthatIhavetheopportunitytogathertogetherwithotherbelieverstoworshipyoueachweek.ThankyouthatIcandothispublicallyandwithoutfear.IknowmanyofmybrothersandsistersinChristaroundtheworldcannot

1 JamesK.A.Smith,YouAreWhatYouLove:TheSpiritualPowerofHabit(GrandRapids,MI:Brazos,2016),70.

doso.Thisweek,helpmegrowinmyunderstandingofthisprivilege.HelpmeapproachtheSundayworshipgatheringwithgreaterjoyandanticipation.TeachmehowIshouldparticipateinthesegatheringssothatmyworshipispleasingtoyouandIamablessingtoothers.Iloveyouandlongtogrowclosertoyou.

Day 2 | Worship through the Lord’s Supper Godhasgivenusfreedominourworshipgatherings.YouwillfindgreatdifferencesinthewayChristiansthroughoutthecenturiesandaroundtheglobe“dochurch.”YettheLord’sSupperissomethingthatisregularlyobservedinworshipgatherings.

Onthenightbeforehewasarrested,Jesushadhislastmealwithhisdisciplesbeforehiscrucifixion.MostscholarsbelievethatthegroupwasobservingthePassover.JesusdeviatedfromthetraditionalPassoverobservancebyassociatingelementsofthemealwithhimself—thebreadwithhisbodyandthecupwithhisblood.Heinstructedthedisciplestorememberhimwhentheyatethismeal.Dependingonthechurchtradition,wenowcallthismealtheLord’sSupper,Communion,ortheEucharist.

YesterdaywetalkedabouthowGodispresentandactiveinourworshipgatheringsandtheLord’sSupperprovidesusanopportunitytoencounterGod.Todaywe’regoingtoconsiderthatopportunity.

InhislettertotheCorinthians,PaulrecountsJesus’wordstothedisciplesduringthelastsupperandhelpsusunderstandtheirsignificance.Ifyou’veattendedchurchservicesforawhile,thesewordsmaybesofamiliartoyou,solet’strytolookatthispassagewithfresheyes.

1Corinthians11:23–2623ForIreceivedfromtheLordwhatIalsopassedontoyou:TheLordJesus,onthenighthewasbetrayed,tookbread,24andwhenhehadgiventhanks,hebrokeitandsaid,“Thisismybody,whichisforyou;dothisinremembranceofme.”25Inthesameway,aftersupperhetookthecup,saying,“Thiscupisthenewcovenantinmyblood;dothis,wheneveryoudrinkit,inremembranceofme.”26Forwheneveryoueatthisbreadanddrinkthiscup,youproclaimtheLord’sdeathuntilhecomes.

Look closely at what Jesus said. What is the bread? What is the cup?

What phrase does Jesus repeat?

What does the Lord’s supper proclaim?

ThePassovercelebrationhadbeeninstitutedbyGodtocommemorateIsrael’sliberationfrom

Egypt.ItwastoremindtheIsraelitesofGod’sgrace,powerandmercyandtransmitthestoryoftheExodustofuturegenerations.(Exodus12:24–28).ByinfusingthePassovermealwithnewassociations,Jesuswasinstitutinganewordinancethatwouldcommemorateanevengreaterexoduswherepeoplewouldbeliberatedfromsinanddeath.Bytyinghisbodytothebreadandthecuptohisblood,JesuswasexplicitlyconnectingtheobservanceoftheLord’sSuppertohisatoningworkonthecross.Jesus’bloodwasspilledandhisbodywassacrificedtoprovidesalvationandredemption.

Jesus’statement“Thisisthenewcovenantinmyblood”looksbacktothebloodofthesacrificesthatMosessprinkledonthepeopletoestablishtheoldcovenantwithIsrael.ThebloodJesusshedinhisdeathforusestablishedthenewcovenantGodhadpromisedthroughJeremiah(Jer.31:31–34).Jesusisthemediatorofthisnewcovenantthatpromisescompleteforgivenessofsins,eternalredemptionandaneternalinheritance(seeHebrews8–10).

Jesusaskedhisdisciplestoobservethismealasaremembrance.Withafewexceptions,Christiansthroughoutthecenturieshavedoneso.TheLord’sSupper“directsourattentiontoJesus’crucifixionandthefuturefulfillmentofhisKingdom.”2EmbeddedintheLord’sSupperistheexpectationthatJesuswillreturn.Weobservethemealuntilhecomesagain.TheGospelwritersincludeJesus’declarationthat“Itellyou,IwillnotdrinkfromthisfruitofthevinefromnowonuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFather’skingdom”(Matthew26:29).

Also,becauseitisacommunalmeal,itexpressesourunityasthebodyofChrist.“AttheLord’stable,wecometogetherasequals,aspersonswhoaregiventhegiftofGod’sSpirit—unconditionallyandimpartially.”3WesharetheLord’sSupperwithoneanotherasbrothersandsistersinChrist.

WhiletheobservanceoftheLord’sSupperiscommonamongbelievers,debatesaboutwhathappensduringthemealhaveproducedvarioustheories.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenhesaid,“thisismybody”and“thisismyblood?”OnoneendofthespectrumistheRomanCatholicviewoftransubstantiationwhichteaches“"thechangeofthewholesubstanceofbreadintothesubstanceofthebodyofChristandofthewholesubstanceofwineintothesubstanceofbloodofChrist.”4OntheotherendisthememorialismviewwhichbelievesthebloodandwinearepurelysymbolicandtheLord’sSupperisonlyanactofremembrance.

Somewhereinthemiddleistheideathatwhiletheelementsaresigns,“thesignsandthethingssignifiedmustbedistinguishedwithoutbeingseparated.”5ProtestantreformerJohnCalvinbelievedthatwhileChrist’sbodyandbloodarenotphysicallypresent,theyarespirituallypresentwhenbelieverstaketheLord’sSupper.Whatishappeningontheearthlyplanebyeatingthebreadanddrinkingthecup,theHolySpiritaccomplishesonthespiritualplane.Inotherwords,“thosewhopartakeofthebreadandwineinfaitharealso,bythepoweroftheHolySpirit,beingnourishedbythebodyandbloodofChrist.”CalvinconsideredtheLord’sSupperto

2JohnH.Armstrong,“TableManners:WhyWeTakeCommunionEveryWeek,”ChristianityToday.com,http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/september/table-manners-why-we-take-communion-every-week.html.3Ibid.4"CompendiumoftheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch".www.vatican.va.5KeithMathison,“Calvin’sDoctrineoftheLord’sSupper"LigonierMinistries,http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/calvins-doctrine-lords-supper/.

bea“divinegiftgivenbyChristhimselftohispeopletonourishandstrengthentheirfaith.”6

How do you tend to think about the Lord’s Supper? Is it a meaningful part of corporate worship for you? Why or why not?

YesterdaywebeganourstudybywonderingwhetherwecometoourworshipgatheringsexpectingtoencounterGod.Thoughweperformordinaryactsofhearingandsinging,sittingandstanding,eatinganddrinking,areweawareoftheactivityoftheSpiritwhomovesin,throughandamongus?

TheRenaissancepainterTintorettohasgivenusanimageworthcontemplatingasweconsiderthepossibilityofGod’spresenceandactivitythroughtheLord’sSupper.ThesceneisChrist’sfinalmealwithhisdisciplesbeforehiscrucifixion.

Jesusisshownservingoneofthedisciples.ItisadarkpaintingandtheonlylightsourcescomefromJesushimselfandasinglelamp.Jesusglowsfromwithinandahaloofbrightlightemanatesfromhim,illuminatingtheotherwiseshadowyscene.Fromthelampcomesasecondarysourceoflight,butalsotendrilsofsmokethatcurlintotheformsofangels.Theheavenlyhostfloatabovethescenekeepingwatch.LightisshownsurroundingsomeofthedisciplesasiftheyarereflectingJesus’shiningglory.

6 Ibid.

Seeminglyoblivioustothesesupernaturalelementsaretheservantswhoarepreparingthemealandthedisciplesthemselves.Awomanladlesgrainoutofabasketandhandsittothecook,whileahungrycatlookson.MostofdisciplesareturnedawayfromJesusandtalkingamongthemselves.It’sasifonlytheviewerofthepaintingcanappreciatewhatisreallygoingonbecausethesupernaturalactivityiscompletelyunrealizedbythethoseinthescene.

Itisworthconsideringwhetherwearelikethedisciplesandtheservantsinthispainting.ArewemissingtheactivityofGodintheLord’sSupperbecauseweareoblivioustoeventhepossibility?DowecometoworshipwiththeexpectationthatwewillencounterthelivingGodtogether,ashisbody?

Day 3 | Worship with our whole selves WhenaSamaritanwomanencountersJesusatthewelloutsidehervillage,sheaskshimaquestionaboutwhereworshipshouldoccur.“Icanseethatyouareaprophet.Ourancestorsworshipedonthismountain,butyouJewsclaimthattheplacewherewemustworshipisinJerusalem”(John4:19–20).Jesusanswerswithastatementabouthowworshipwouldnowoccur“YetatimeiscomingandhasnowcomewhenthetrueworshiperswillworshiptheFatherintheSpiritandintruth,fortheyarethekindofworshiperstheFatherseeks”(John4:23).

ForcenturiesthetempleinJerusalemwastheofficiallocationforworship.WhileJewishpeoplegatheredintheirlocalsynagoguesontheSabbath,thetemplewasconsideredthedwellingplaceofGodandwheresacrificesmustbeoffered.

Jesuschangedeverything.

Becausehisdeathprovidedtheultimateandcompletesacrificetoatoneforsin,thebloodofanimalswasnolongerneeded.Becauseheisthegreathighpriest,thosefromthelineofAaronwerenolongercalledtointercedeforthepeople.Becauseafterhisdeath,resurrectionandascensionJesussenttheSpirit,thereisnotoneplacewhereGoddwells.AllhispeopleareindweltbytheHolySpirit.ThepeopleofGodcancometogethertoworshiphimintheSpiritandintruth.Wearetrueworshipers.Howdowerespondtosuchaprivilege?

ThisweekwearethinkingabouttheimportanceofworshipingGodinagatheringwithotherbelievers.We’vedeterminedthatGodispresentandactiveinourworshipandlookedindetailattheLord’sSupper.Todaylet’sthinkabouthowwearetoworship.WhatshouldourresponsebetoGod’sinvitationtoworship?

AlthoughthispsalmwaswrittentotheJewishpeopleasacalltoworship,fromitsearlydays,theChristianchurchhaswidelyusedPsalm95as(knownastheVenite,fromtheLatinfor‘Ocome’)asaguide.7Let’sseewhatwecanlearnaboutthewayweshouldworshipfromthispsalm.

Psalm951Come,letussingforjoytotheLORD; letusshoutaloudtotheRockofoursalvation.2Letuscomebeforehimwiththanksgivingandextolhimwithmusicandsong.3FortheLORDisthegreatGod,thegreatKingaboveallgods.4Inhishandarethedepthsoftheearth,andthemountainpeaksbelongtohim.5Theseaishis,forhemadeit,andhishandsformedthedryland.

7 Derek Kidner, Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL:

InterVarsity Press, 1975), 375.

6Come,letusbowdowninworship,letuskneelbeforetheLORDourMaker;7forheisourGodandwearethepeopleofhispasture,theflockunderhiscare.Today,ifonlyyouwouldhearhisvoice,8“DonothardenyourheartsasyoudidatMeribah,asyoudidthatdayatMassahinthewilderness,9whereyourancestorstestedme;theytriedme,thoughtheyhadseenwhatIdid.10ForfortyyearsIwasangrywiththatgeneration;Isaid,‘Theyareapeoplewhoseheartsgoastray,andtheyhavenotknownmyways.’11SoIdeclaredonoathinmyanger,‘Theyshallneverentermyrest.’”

This psalm gives us action prompted by truth. Underline statements of truth and circle the actions.

Where do you notice a shift in tone and voice? Who is speaking? Summarize the main idea of the message.

WorshipisaresponsetothetruthofwhoGodis,whathehasdone,isdoingandwilldo.Throughourworship,weareacknowledgingthatGodisGodandwearenot.Thatmaysoundelemental,butifyouconsiderourdailythoughtsandactions,muchofwhatwethinkanddofailstoreflectthatbasictruth.Worshiprecalibratesandre-centersusbygivingustheopportunitytoexpressourfaithandallegianceandexperiencethepresenceandactivityofGod.AsPsalm95demonstrates,weworshipwithourwholeselves—mind,body,emotionsandwill.

Weworshipwithourbodies.Noticeallthedifferentactionsmentionedinthispsalm:singing,makingmusic,shouting,extoling(praising),kneelingandhearing.Worshipisnotsomethingthatisboundupinourthoughts—itmustbereflectedinouremotionsandexpressedwithactions.Werejoiceinhisgoodnesswithourvoicesandexpressourreverencebyloweringourselvestokneel.Infaithandwithjoy,webringourfinancialofferingstoGod.WhenwerespondtoGodwithappropriateactivity,wedemonstrateourallegianceandconvictionandreinforceourfoundationalbeliefs.BytheSpirit,thetruthweknowcanbecomearealityweexperience.

OuractionsareinresponsetoGod.Wearen’tgoingthroughthemotionswhenwesinghymnsorshoutpraises;wearerespondingtothegreatnessofGod!InPsalm95theassemblyworshipsGodasmightyKingandpowerfulCreator.AsthesteadfastRockandlovingShepherd.ThesearetruthsthathavebeenrevealedbyGodandrecordedinScripture.Trueworshipisnotbuilt

aroundvacuousemotionalismononeendofthespectrum,orsoullessrepetitionontheother.ItisbasedintheknowledgeofGodasrevealedbytheSpiritintheWord.

WehearGod’svoice.TheSpiritcanmovemightilythroughtheproclamationoftheWord.ThebookofHebrewsdeclares“ForthewordofGodisaliveandactive.Sharperthananydouble-edgedsword,itpenetrateseventodividingsoulandspirit,jointsandmarrow;itjudgesthethoughtsandattitudesoftheheart”(Hebrews4:12).Scripturedeclarestheimmeasurablegrace,loveandgoodnessofGod.Itconvictsusofallthewayswe’vewanderedfromhimandcallsustoreturn.God’sWordisasoothingbalminthemidstofsufferinganddoubt.Itgivesushopeandpeace,notjustforourselvesbutforthosewewillencounterasweleaveourgatheringandreturntotheworld.

WorshiphonorsGodandchangesus.Theabruptchangeintonebeginninginverse8hascausedsomescholarstobelievethatratherthanonepsalm,thesearetwofragmentsputtogether.ButcommentatorDerekKidnerseesthe“austereconclusion”asafittingbalancetothe“exuberantbeginning.”Heseestheendingasresemblingtheexhortationoftheprophets“withtheircalltomatchfinegestureswithfinedeeds.”8

TherealityofGodasweexperiencehiminworshipshouldcallustolivedifferently.Psalm95recallsthesinofthepeoplewhowererescuedfromslaveryinEgypt,butrebelledagainstGodandweresentencedto40yearsofwildernesswandering.Godwarnstheassemblyagainstmakingthesamemistakesastheirancestorswho,becauseoftheirlackoffaith,hardenedtheirheartstowardGod.TheyallowedthedifficultyoftheircircumstancestoovershadowthegoodnessandkindnessoftheirGod.

Throughworship,theHolySpiritcanpenetrateourheartswiththeloveofGodsothatitbecomesarealitywebaseourliveson.BytheSpirit’spower,wecanencounterhisgoodness,mercyandgracesothatourheartsareinclinedtowardhim.WorshipchangesusandcompelsustolivedifferentlybecauseofwhatweexperiencetogetherinthepresenceofGod.

Reflect on what Psalm 95 tells us about worship and think about most church services that you attend. What principles taught by this Psalm are reflected there?

8 Ibid.

Day 4 | Worship together We’retalkingthisweekabouttheimportanceofworshipinginagatheringasaspiritualpractice.Wearechallengingourselvestobeabletoanswerquestionsaboutwhyitisimportant.Inthemodernworldwhereyoucandownloadsermonsandworshipmusictoyourcomputerorphone,whyisitimportanttoparticipateinaliveworshipgathering?Doyoureallyneedotherpeopleto“dochurch”?

Whileit’struethattheSpiritofGodmovespowerfullythroughourindividualtimewithGod,corporateworshipisstillvitaltoourspiritualhealth.TheanalogyfromScriptureofbelieversformingthebodyofChristisaparticularlypotentone.Itstressesourinterconnectednessanddependenceononeanother.

Manyofusaren’tcomfortablewiththatdependence,becauseweliketothinkofourselvesasstrong,self-reliantandindependent.Butinreality,Godcreatedustoneedothersandtobeneededbythem.WhenwecometogetherasalocalexpressionoftheworldwidebodyofChrist,weareacknowledgingthattruth.

Thisisaradicalthoughtformanypeople.Becausemostofuscometochurchservicesforonlywhatwemightgetoutofthem;veryfewcomelookingforhowtheycanbeablessingtosomeoneelse.Yetthisideaisthoroughlybiblical.ConsiderthefollowingversesfromEphesians:

Ephesians5:18–2018Donotgetdrunkonwine,whichleadstodebauchery.Instead,befilledwiththeSpirit,19speakingtooneanotherwithpsalms,hymns,andsongsfromtheSpirit.SingandmakemusicfromyourhearttotheLord,20alwaysgivingthankstoGodtheFatherforeverything,inthenameofourLordJesusChrist.

According to verses 19 and 20, what should be some of the results of being filled by the Spirit?

Manyofushavebeentaughtverse18inisolationfromtheversesthatfollow.It’seitherbeenusedtodiscouragetheabuseofalcohol(whichisdoes)ortoencouragethefillingoftheSpirit(whichitalsodoes).Butwhenyouseverthisversefromtheonesaroundit,youmisstheimplicationforhowweworshiptogether.

Intheseverses,Paulisteachingushowtorelatetooneanotherasbelievers.WeknowfromActs2thattheearlychurchoftencametogetherandsharedamealofwhichtheLord’sSupperwasapart.Weknowfrom1Corinthians11thatsomeweregettingdrunkatthesegatherings.PaulinsiststhatweavoiddebaucheryandbefilledwiththeSpirit.AresultofthatfillingwillbeourabilitytoencourageoneanotherintheSpiritwith“psalms,hymns,andsongsfromtheSpirit.”Togetherwewillpraiseandgive“thankstoGodtheFatherforeverything,inthenameofourLordJesusChrist.”WhentheSpiritisactiveinus,itwillbeactiveamongus.

Hebrewsprovidesuswithfurthermotivationtogathertogetherforworship:

Hebrews10:24-26.24Andletusconsiderhowwemayspuroneanotherontowardloveandgooddeeds.25Letusnotgiveupmeetingtogether,assomeareinthehabitofdoing,butletusencourageoneanother—andallthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching.

What were some people giving up?

LiterallytheGreekwordtranslatedhereas“giveup”carriestheideaofabandonmentorforsaking(verse25).Evenintheearlydaysofthefaith,itwaseasytogetoutofthehabitofcomingtogetherforaworshipgathering.Itwasaneasyhabittolosethen,anditiseasytolosenow.Butwhenthathappens,wearenotonlypronetodriftfromGodinourownlives,butwearenolongeractingasanencouragementtoourspiritualfamily.Ourabsencenotonlyaffectsus,butothersinthebodyaswell.

TheGreekwordfor“consider”isstrong(verse24).Itmeansto“payattentionto,tolookcloselyat.”WeshouldpayattentiontothewayswecanencourageothermembersofthebodyofChrist.Weshouldthinkaboutitbeforehand.Howcanyoubeablessingtosomeoneelse?Whomightyouencouragewithakindwordoraprayer?Whoneedskindness,reassurance,sympathy,orahug?

Weshouldalsoconsiderhowwecan“spureachotheron”(verse24).Theword"tospur"comesfromaGreekwordthatcanmeantoprovoke.Theemotionassociatedwiththiswordisnotnecessarilypleasant,butsometimesweallneedsome“toughlove.”WeneedtoprovokeeachothertoloveandgooddeedsandchallengeoneanothertogrowtobemorelikeJesus.

Beforewegotoaworshipgathering,wecanprayandaskGodtogiveustheprivilegeofencouragingsomeoneelse.Sometimesit’sassimpleasbeinganactiveparticipantinworship.Whenwearesingingwithenthusiasmorpayingcloseattentiontothesermon,weareencouragingotherstodothesame.Wecanalsovolunteertoserveothersduringtheservicebygreetingpeoplewhentheywalkin,helpingguestsfindtheirwayorcaringforchildreninPromiselandsomomsanddadscanworshipwithoutdistraction.

Let’saskGodtoopenoureyestoseesomeonewhoisnewandinneedofwelcome,orsomeonewhoishurtingandinneedofcompassion.Ifthereisafriendweusuallyseewhoisnotthere,wecangivethemacallduringtheweek,checkonthemandtellthemtheyweremissed.ThebodyofChristisstrengthenedwhenwespureachotheronandencourageoneanotherinChrist.

What are some other ways you can think of to encourage others during a worship gathering?

Publicworshipgatheringscanalsoserveasawitnesstoourcommunity.WhenpeoplefilledwiththeSpiritgathertogetherforworship,theSpiritisactiveamongthem.WewantpeopletoknowthatourgatheringsareaplacetoexploretruthandencountertherealGod.IntheNew

Testament,Paulisexcitedaboutunbelieverscomingtoworshipgatherings.Paulwrites:Ifanunbelieverorsomeonewhodoesnotunderstandcomesin...hewillbeconvincedbyallthatheisasinner...andthesecretsofhisheartwillbelaidbare.SohewillfalldownandworshipGod,exclaiming,‘Godisreallyamongyou!’”(1Corinthians14:24-25.)

InviteyourfriendswhodonotknowGodtocometoaworshipgatheringandexperiencehundredsofpeopleworshipingGodwithalltheirhearts.AllowthemtoheartheWordandencounterthepoweroftheSpirit.Godmayuseaworshipgatheringtocallthemtohimself.

Therearesomanyreasonswhyourparticipationinaworshipgatheringmatters.Let’snotneglectthehabitofworshipingtogether,butlet’scometogetherasthebodyofChristtoexperienceandsharetheloveofChrist.

Day 5 | Reflect, Connect, Respond Ourchallengefromthebeginningoftheweekwastoconsiderwhyworshipinginagatheringisavitalspiritualpractice.Howhasyourappreciationfortheweeklyworshipgatheringchangedordeepenedthisweek?Spendsometimetodayreflectingonwhatyou’velearnedandasktheSpirittoguideyourresponse.

Reflect Based on what we studied this week, why is “Worship in a Gathering” an important spiritual practice?

This is the last week of our Restart series. Can you name all four practices? Can you re-create the Christ Fellowship “X”?

Connect Manyyearsago,Iheardapastoraddressthosestrugglingwithanaddictiontopornography.Hesaidbluntly,“Worshipgotyouintothismess,anditwilltakeworshiptogetyouout.”Hedidn’ttellthemtoinstallfiltersontheircomputersorfindanaccountabilitypartner—atleastnotasthefirststep.HetoldthemtheyneededtocommittoworshipingGod.

Whileitmayseemlikestrangeadvicetogivesomeonedealingwithsuchadestructivecompulsion,hispointwasthatatourcoreweareallworshipersinsearchofsomethingonwhichtofixourlove,placeourtrustandsatisfyourdesires.Thereareamultitudeofsinswecanandwillcommitifweareseekingpeace,satisfactionandfulfillmentinanythingotherthanGod.

Over1600yearsago,Augustinesaid,“Youhavemadeusforyourself,OLord,andourheartisrestlessuntilitrestsinyou.”Hecouldhaveeasilybeentalkingaboutthemodernindustrializedworldwhereweareofferedeveryimaginablepleasure,andpromisedfulfillmentinthingswecanbuyorearn.Butultimately,wefindthatnothingfillstheemptinessofasouldisconnectedfromitslovingCreator.OnlybeinginarightrelationshipwithGodcanmakeuswhole.Centraltoourconnectionwithhimisworship,becauseworshipbendsourheartstowardGod.

Inworship,wedemonstrateourallegiancetoGod,ourhopeinhispromisesandourgratitudeforhismercyandsalvation.WorshipturnsouraffectionstowardGod.Asweexperiencehisgoodness,faithfulnessandloveandwearechanged.“WorshipisthearenainwhichGodrecalibratesourhearts,reformsourdesires,andrehabituatesourloves.Worshipisn’tjust

somethingwedo;itiswhereGoddoessomethingtous.”9

We’vetalkedspecificallythisweekabouttheimportanceofworshipingalongsideotherbelieversatagathering,buteachofthefourpracticesencouragesalifeofworship.WecanbeengagedinactsofworshipasweencounterGodoneonone,inasmallgrouporasweseektoimpactothers.So,let’scommittothefourpracticesandexperiencethetransformingloveofGod.

Respond

What is your next step?

How could what we learned about worshiping in a gathering impact the way you think about and engage in worship services?

SincethisisthelastweekofRestart,considerhowyoudoingwiththefourpractices?

What can you do to keep on going or to get started with them? (For example, do you need to structure your time differently so you can prioritize the four practices? Or is there someone you could ask to support, encourage and pray for you as you try to engage in each practice? How can you help them in return?)

9 Smith, p. 77.