1. It is an act of obedience to God and it honors the Lord's Day. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). A day for fellowship in celebration of the resurrection, worship, pray and listen to the Word of God together as a community.
2. It brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).
3. In fellowship with the crucified and risen Christ, we celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist through intimate communion with Jesus. "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf." (1 Cor 10:16-17).
4. We belong to a community of faith that includes our brothers and sisters in Christ who are trying to live out the gospel just like we are. We gather with other believers to publicly bear witness of our faith and trust in God. We must have a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with other believers. It's impossible to love God and refuse to love our brethren. "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble" (1 John 2:9-10).
5. Benefit from being taught and led in worship by others, rather than always depending on ourselves to read and study the bible. Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds up our spiritual strength. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). It is important that we take every opportunity available to receive strength from God's Word. The multiplied strength in prayer and spiritual gains can be realized through the combined faith of God's people. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19).
6. Regular reminders of our standing in Christ, help in acknowledging and confessing our sins, and teaching about God's truth. All this is attained through the preaching of the Gospel (Word of God), Holy Absolution (forgiveness by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation), and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. It brings great joy to the weary souls of those been struggling with their sin through the week by hearing and receiving God's pardon given through Word and His most Scared Body (Holy Communion). "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Tim. 2:5).
7. Help us to face the issues of life and faith as presented through the teachings of the Bible. It is further encouraged through the singing of spirituals and the presentation of God’s Word, and particularly what it had to say about true freedom and justice in our present situations. “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16).
8. Tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. Remind us of God's love. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev. 4:11).
9. Away from our distraction by having a conscious break from work, family problems, and self interests in order to concentrate on the Lord. "I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." (1 Cor. 7:35).
~ @@@@@ ~
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
No comments:
Post a Comment