Fellowship and Worship

Scriptures: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

A man had not gone to the church for any service or fellowship for some time. His family and friends in church were trying very hard to convince him to go, but without success. One night, the pastor paid him a visit. After he seated the pastor, he went to kitchen to get the pastor a cup of tea. As he was working in the kitchen, the pastor saw there was fire in the fireplace, so he walked over to the fireplace and picked up a piece of burning coal from the fireplace and placed it on the floor outside the fireplace. Then, the pastor left.

When the man came back from kitchen, he saw that piece of coal on the floor alone, he realized what the pastor was trying to tell him. So, he went to the church for service the following Sunday.

Some people think that, since faith is an individual thing, there is no point going to church for services and fellowship. They think it’s just a waste of time. They forget that we were not only saved individually, we were also saved into the body of Christ as a member, just as Paul indicated in I Corinthians, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews of Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (I Corinthians 12:13)

God prepares His church for us for good reasons. First of all, God knows how vulnerable we are when we are alone. We would be easy prey for the loneliness, self-pity, pride and all kinds of empty worldliness our enemy Devil throws our way. Secondly, we need constant reminders of His love and presence in our lives because this world is so noisy and demanding of our attention that we often lose sight of Him. Thirdly, He loves to work with and through people. Church is not only a group of people through whom we may be blessed by God, but also a group of people for whom we may be the blessings God prepares. Most importantly, we are called to be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (I Peter 2:9) Apostle Peter said that Christians as a whole is a holy nation in God’s eyes. A nation is strong when they are one, not when they are divided or scattered. When the children of God get together in one, “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2), it pleases our Heavenly Father most. That is why our Lord Jesus, in His High Priest Prayer (John 17), He prayed for our oneness.

Meeting together for fellowship and worship brings about closeness among believers, promotes oneness before God, and give glory to our Lord Jesus. As much as we have other worldly duties, let us forget not that our first and foremost duty is to live for the glory of God!

Prayer Requests:
Those, for whatever reasons, find going to church tiring or even meaningless.

Prayer:Our gracious Lord, thank You for giving us Your church so we may be strengthened when weary, comforted when broken, up-lifted when despair, satisfied when needy, edified when seeking. Thank You for giving us brothers and sisters with whom we may join hearts as one to praise and worship You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!