Articles
Today is Jesus' Day
For much of the world Sunday is a day to sleep in, rest up from the wild late-night parties, and do whatever “strikes your fancy.” To them, today is no different than Saturday except that it’s a day closer to Monday (sigh…). But to servants of Jesus Christ today is a very special day. John called Sunday “the Lord’s day” in Revelation 1:10 because it is on this day of the week that Jesus arose from the dead and thus demonstrated Himself to be the Almighty Son of God once and for all. Each gospel writer made it a point to emphasize that it was the “first day of the week” on which Jesus rose from the grave (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1-2; Luke 21:1; John 20:1). In commemoration of that pivotal event Christians thereafter met every first day of the week to worship their risen Lord, study His will, and encourage one another in their service to Him (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). That is the very same reason we (and you) are here today. What an amazing thought that we continue that same divine tradition begun almost 2,000 years earlier; we are thus united with all the saints who have died as faithful saints of God since then!
Because what we do today is of utmost importance, let us remind ourselves of the proper attitudes with which we must assemble together and worship.
When we sing, let us first think about what’s coming out of our mouths. This should go without saying, but how often do you vocalize the words and notes without “singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19)? Only then can we truly sing “with thankfulness,” rejoicing in the salvation Christ has brought us (Col. 3:16). From God’s perspective it doesn’t matter whether or not we have beautiful voices (if that’s what He wanted He would have created us all with the voices of angels), but He wants our hearts; and we cannot give Him our hearts without expressing our love to Him in hymns as He commanded. May we also consider that, though God is the primary audience of our hymns, we also are to teach and admonish each other with all wisdom when we sing (Co. 3:16). In other words, we have a responsibility to both God and one another when singing hymns. Fulfill that responsibility today.
When we pray, use both your spirit and your mind (1 Cor. 13:14-17). That is, engage all of you—your heart, emotions, will, mental capacity, and understanding. Be mindful of the fact that we are approaching a God described in the Bible as holy, holy, holy. Come to Him with fear and humility. Yet even though He is mighty and exalted He has invited us into His presence through Christ our high priest, so that we can also “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Pray humbly but courageously.
When we hear God’s word proclaimed, do not let the messenger stand between you and what God’s word says. Even though the preacher has an important responsibility he is not the focus; he is simply a servant who will stand before God in judgment same as everyone else. Listen to what he says, not with a suspicious ear, but with an examining ear (1 Thess. 5:21). Test the message by searching the perfect Scriptures (Acts 17:11). They may be spoken ineloquently, but if you find the words to be true then receive them eagerly and let put them into practice immediately. Do not be a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts (James 1:22-25). Let God’s word transform you.
When we take the collection, remember that true givers first give themselves to the Lord and to their brethren by the will of God (2 Cor. 8:5). Without having done that first, any amount you drop into the plate is meaningless. Then, having determined already how much to give God has prospered you, give with a cheerful, willing, and honest heart, not with grumbling or simply because it’s what is expected of you (2 Cor. 9:7). Rejoice that God has given you the ability to share your blessings with others, for Jesus said “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If you are financially struggling, take comfort in the promise of God, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Give bountifully.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, as we eat the Lord’s Supper, remember what Jesus did for you personally. Think about who you would be today and where you would go in eternity without Jesus’ death. Even though we are unworthy of His sacrifice, we must observe this memorial in a manner worthy (appropriate, fitting) of what He did (1 Cor. 11:27). Examine yourself, considering how much Christ loved you and your brethren; ingest the emblems with a spirit of unity and love for those whom Christ loved. Lastly, it is appropriate to mourn and weep for the sins that put Jesus on the cross, but keep in mind that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the joy of His resurrection and the hope of His coming to receive us to Himself in His own time (1 Cor. 11:26). “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
