Coming Together
Often times people will say “why do I need to go to Church? I can worship just fine from my home by myself.” For those who understand why cooperate worship is important this question can come as a big shock to the system.
1 Corinthians 14:26 says “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” This verse shows the importance of coming together. Everyone who comes has a lesson to teach and a different interpretation. By coming together we share all we have to give to the father as a body of Christ followers .
This article written by an Austin, Texas Pastor gives seven principles to planning and practicing corporate worship. I will discuss the first three.
- True Worship is God-Centered. Juan notes that we are commanded to worship God and God only. He also goes on to say that while preparing for worship we all need to remember that corporate worship is about praising God not our personal preferences.
- True Worship is Christ-Focused. In this section it is discussed that Christ is God come to us in the form of man to reconcile us to God through him. Juan references Revelation 5 in this section. Revelation 5:9–10 says, “And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Christ died for us so that we could some day go and be in heaven with him and the Father. While we wait we need to praise and worship him with all that we are.
- True worship is Spirit-Empowered. In this section it is discussed that we are born into sin and wrath and that only through the spirit can we come to know God and truly worship him. John 4:23–24 says “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
One of the things I liked about this article was its use of the term “true worship.” Anyone can come to church and say that because they came they have worshiped, but if you do not worship with all you have in your heart, body, and spirit then you have not truly worshiped.
Hebrews 12:28 says “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.”
God has accepted us into his kingdom and we must show him gratitude in worship that is acceptable to him.
“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.”
Psalm 111 talks of the great works that the Lord has done and it begins by saying that we should praise the Lord with our whole hearts in the company of the upright. The Psalms very literally tell us to come together with the congregation and Praise God.
Psalm 132:7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!”
What can we do?
- What is worship? Does the congregation truly understand what worship is? Having lessons on what worship is could help to form and change the culture of the congregation
- Prayer. Praying to the father is an important aspect of worship, both private and corporate. having a time devoted to corporate prayer can be a wonderful thing. the congregation is given an opportunity to share their prayer needs and then as a Family of God we pray for the needs of those around us.
“Let the peoples praise you, o God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.” (Psalm 67:3–4)
