Charles Spurgeon used to call the church “the dearest place on earth”. I am convinced by scripture and by experience that he was right. Even in these postmodern times, most Christians still see Sunday morning as important. So I am passionate and concerned about what you experience on Sundays and that you are enjoying the fullness of what God has for you. I want to help us to lose some harmful attitudes, to throw out some bad habits, to leave behind some old assumptions, renew our vision, and take practical steps to change the way that you and I go to church so that together we might participate not casually, mechanically, but passionately and that Sunday morning would be the dearest time of the week in the dearest place on earth. There are three practical ways that we can enjoy Sunday mornings to the fullest.
1. Thoughtful preparation
Charles Spurgeon once said, “There should be some preparation in the heart in coming to the worship of God. Consider who He is in whose name we come to gather, and surely we cannot rush together without thought. Consider whom we profess to worship, and we shall not hurry into His presence as men rush into a fire. …There should be no stumbling into the place of worship half asleep, no more roaming here as if it were no more than going to a playhouse. We cannot expect to profit much if we bring with us a swarm of idle thoughts and a heart crammed with vanity. If we are full of folly, we may shut out the truth of God from our minds.”
If we are really going to come to worship wouldn’t that motivate us to prepare. What can I do on Saturday to maximize my participation on Sunday? How about going to bed at a decent hour. Waking up on Sunday morning to give yourself enough time to get ready for church, perhaps to get in the word beforehand, to pray, or to pray with your family. What about other intrusions? How about not bringing up issues before church? What is more important your issues or the worship of God? Just a thought! How about turning off the cell phone. Don’t let the urgent rob you of what is important! Are there distractions that you have made a habit or that you are vulnerable to on Sunday morning? Consider what you are doing on Sunday morning. Prepare your heart for maximizing your time on Sunday morning for encountering and communing and giving and hearing and serving God. Amos said it well, “Prepare to meet thy God!”
2. Purposeful participation
Don’t come in casually. Come ready to worship and come on time! Turn off the cell phone. Get focused and centered on the purpose for your being here. Don’t wander around the building while God is being honored. Something is happening of eternal consequences. This isn’t happy hour. Prepare to meet thy God! Don’t wander around or engage in conversations in the library of outside. Come around prowling like a lion for care, love, and encouragement. Come around with your antennas up who to seek out, care for, and grace! Remember that God is observing and receiving your worship. In the light of all that He is, give Him your all.
3. Diligent application
The puritans called Sunday “the market day for the soul”. By that, they meant that Sunday was a day of stocking up for the week ahead. Ask what you can do to stock up more successfully because Monday will come up sooner than you think. Don’t let Sunday morning fade away and go into your distant memory. Go though the notes. If God is addressing you then there is a response required. When you go have lunch discuss what God said and did. What effect does God have upon my life, work, marriage, and family?
Brothers and Sisters the One who sought us and saved us from sin extends His invitation to draw us near to Him together through the work of His Son. He invites us o capture the passion of Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
All over the world this Sunday millions of Christians will gather together in the open air, in mud huts, in rented theaters, in homes, in schools, and in multimillion dollar facilities. But beloved, the places we gather in are of little consequence. What matters is the One we have come to worship and enjoy TOGETHER. What matters is that we will be really together with Him on this day. I hope that you will be there to…with all of your heart and that Sunday would become the best time of the week in the dearest place on earth.
Pastor Bill
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