The Gathering
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Matthew Holmes
Work Zone: Why We Do What We Do • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 38:45
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· 104 viewsJoin us this Sunday as we begin a sermon series on the worship service--why do we do the things we do on Sunday morning? This week we begin by asking, why do we gather in the first place?
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Why do we gather?
Why do we gather?
Worship—we gather to praise and thank God.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Edification—we gather to be encouraged and built up.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
Liturgy—we gather to serve God for the sake of the people.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Lieturgia
Lieturgia
Liturgy is work.
Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.
After they had been in custody for some time,
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Liturgy is working for God.
At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today.
When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
Liturgy is working on behalf of the people.
They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them.
The Power of the Gathering
The Power of the Gathering
When God’s people gather, Jesus brings us into the presence of God.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
The assembly “is the house of God—the temple of the Holy Spirit—and… we are, especially and emphatically, in the presence of the Lord when we are engaged in his worship.”
Alexander Campbell
When God’s people gather in his presence, he gives their actions have special power.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God wants his people to use the gathering to change ourselves, each other, the church, and the world.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We gather to do, not to watch.
A gathering is measured by how it serves God, not how it makes me feel.
Gathering to serve God on behalf of the people can change—and has changed—the world.