WHEN WE GATHER

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17 ESV)

“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV)

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:6-13 ESV)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 ESV)

“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. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 ESV)

            A survey was given years ago to a group of believers asking what changes they would like to see in their church. The most requested item was changing the format of the worship services. Does the structure need to change or do people need to know the why and ways of its design? Are people actually needing a better understanding of the purpose for gathering together?

            By virtue of current social trends believers are geared to view a church gathering as an entertainment venue – comprised of a stage containing actors with a viewing audience watching their performance. Yet the stage in a church facility is actually a conductor’s platform, the people sitting in the auditorium are the actors, and God is the audience. Worship is not about being a spectator of a spectacle. Worship is about meaningful participation, something undertaken more than watched.

Churches normally promote and advertise Sunday morning gatherings as the worship hour. Is this the only time people give expression to their faith in God?

Before worship can be a weekly event, it must become a lifestyle. Although the following Scripture verses are not about worship, they may be the greatest verses on the subject. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV) Worship is expressed in whatever you do. Believers are worshipers long before gathering.

            What makes coming together for expressing adoration to God a critical component of transformation? What are believers trying to accomplish by joining ranks from time to time?  What is the significance of a weekly demonstration of love?

I attend a church that does not post an order of service, yet the structure is very predictable and with good reason. Taking away as much Christian jargon as possible, gathering on a consistent basis is for the expressed purpose of people speaking to God and God speaking to people. These two ingredients must be fulfilled for a gathering to have value. The sequence in which this occurs is people asking for an audience with God and He responding to their desire for a town hall meeting with the Ruler of the universe.

At least six activities are prescribed in Scripture for creating two-way communication at a gathering between God and His followers. Three deal with people speaking to God and three with God speaking to people.

People speaking to God

            Music! Music is designed to open all your senses to God as you enter into His royal chamber.

            “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Ephesians 5:19 ESV) Music is the cry of the soul for an encounter with the Lover of the soul. The music portion of a gathering is often referred to as worship but is only one expression of adoration.

            Songs are often considered controversial because musical preference and taste is extremely diverse. In church music some people gravitate toward simple little ditties while others adore didactic melodies. Unfortunately, some even worship their own worship style, which occasionally leads to conflict called “worship wars.”

            The controversy goes deeper than various musical arrangements. The struggle is between an experiential and cognitive approach to praising God. Some people gravitate more toward feeling, while others are more inclined toward knowing.

            When a person says, “Pastor I love how contemporary choruses make me feel,” they are revealing a natural propensity to worship experientially. When someone says, “Pastor I love the good teaching found in classical hymns,” they naturally prefer a cognitive approach to worship. Yet the goal is the same, musically declaring to God a desire for an audience with Him.

            Prayer! “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)

            Corporate prayer is devoted to conversing with God about current issues, laying down burdens, confessing shortcomings, and expressing gratitude for everything. The gathering is naturally conducive for dialogue with the Lord about roadblocks preventing a sense of His presence. You are clearing up obstacles hampering the clear sound of His voice.

            Offering! “A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18 ESV) Money can be a great hindrance to experiencing an audience with the Lord. Wealth easily takes His place within the inner being. Yet generosity makes you master instead of servant of riches.

            God takes note of tangible gifts and will not be a debtor to anyone. When it comes to offerings the focus is not about equal but rather proportionate giving. Paul wrote about the amount of a gift being in ratio to the income God provides. The entranceway to His presence is abundant to those who are generous.

            These three components of gathering have to do with people speaking to God.

God speaking to people

            Scripture reading! The Bible is God’s word and helps you to discern His voice over all the other influencers of life.

            Many things endeavor to speak to you but you can only know when He is speaking by learning the pattern of His voice acquired by studying the Bible. No one should ever minimize the significant role of the public reading of Scripture when gathering together.

            In the last decade the amount of Scripture reading by those following Jesus has diminished. When talking to others about their spiritual journey, neglecting a regular time in the Book often surfaces. Sadly, the only Scripture many believers are exposed to is at church gatherings. If this aspect of worship becomes minimized a major means of hearing from God will be lost.

            I make it a point to start every blog and every chapter of my books with Scripture, sometimes large amounts, knowing God speaks through the written word.

            Manifestations of grace gifts! “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25 ESV) God wants to bring a specific word to people gathered in His name and often does so through supernatural grace-gifts, furnished to motivate and stimulate everyone present.

            A declared word by an exhorter/teacher. “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV) Exhortation is the foremost way God instructs followers of Jesus.

            Preaching is a form of the prophetic, anointed by God to strengthen and comfort. Preaching is the art of making God’s word applicable to everyday life, involving training and correction, rebuking and encouragement.

            These three components of gathering have to do with God speaking to people.

Bridges with God

            Water baptism! The believer makes a public confession, strengthening faith. Water baptism is the Biblical declaration of entering a relationship with God, the beginning of an obedient walk.

            Communion! The person makes a personal confession, nourishing faithfulness. Communion is the Biblical declaration of an ongoing relationship with God, the continuation of an obedient walk.

Bridges with people

            Greeting others! To greet those worshiping alongside of you keeps before you the reality of not being an island unto yourself. Others love God with you. Protect yourself from gaining an Elijah syndrome, thinking you are the last one still concerned about God and His reputation.

            Announcements! Can anything spiritual be associated with announcements?  Absolutely! Announcements show the link to community, what the Bible calls koininia (fellowship).

            “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25 ESV) Information about ways to connect with others who follow Jesus helps fulfill many other individual and group needs.

The gathering

            Worship must be first expressed by lifestyle. The gatherings, the weekly assembly, is not the sole environment for expressing adoration, yet is an important demonstration of love.

            Regularly participate with reverence and devotion in the Scriptural components of people speaking to God and God speaking to people. And when you have entered into an audience with the Lord and He has spoken into your life, only one thing remains: Quickly respond and experience additional transformation. In times past this was referred to as the altar call and associated with walking to the front of the auditorium. Whether a person comes forward or stays seated everyone must give an answer to the issues God is addressing in the gathering.

            Elevate in 2016 the role of the weekly assembling together! Regularly come together with others throughout the entire year, ready for a life-changing encounter with Jesus.