Worshiping God - Part V

On March 26, we studied the fifth lesson in our series about "Worshiping God."  We talked about the importance of attending the worship service regularly and not only when we have nothing better to do or whenever we believe it is necessary.  We also discussed the notion of coming back to God if one has gone astray.  The arms of God and always wide open, and He always welcomes everyone who comes back to Him.

Enjoy the notes from our discussion.

March 26, 2012

Worshiping God – Part V

Opening Question: Have you ever watched a movie or a TV show when you have missed a previous part or an episode?  Did you find it difficult to watch?  Did you wonder about some things?

It may be difficult to follow the storyline of a show if you have missed an episode or more episodes.  Some things may not make sense or you find yourself wondering about this or that characters.

Today, we are going to talk about the importance of attending the worship service regularly and coming back to God.

1.         The Importance of Attending Worship Service Regularly

What happens if we do not attend regularly the worship services?

If we miss one of our classes, we may find it difficult to understand the next lessons.  If we are trying to run a marathon and we are exercising and we miss a day or a few days, we might find it difficult to get back into the habit of training.

The same can and does happen when it comes to worshiping God.  God expects us to meet Him regularly, which means, every week, every first day of the week, which is every Sunday.  It may difficult for us to get into the habit of doing this every single week, but this is something that God expects from us.

We are used to regularity in our lives.  Our teachers expect us to be in class on certain days and certain hours.  So do our bosses.  Our family members also expect some regularity.  Our parents expect us to phone (or send them letters or e-mail) them within certain intervals.

What happens if we stop going to church?

To understand this, let us talk about what happens when we go to church.  We meet God, we worship Him, we sing to Him, learn about Him, fellowship and become friends with our brothers and sisters, encourage them and receive encouragement from them, enjoy spiritual food, which is the Word of God, the Bible.  If we stop going to church and not attend regularly, all these things are not going to happen.

In the Bible, we are warned not to stop worshiping God with the other Christians.  In Hebrews 10:25-27, we read: 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

These are some strong word, and except when we are sick on circumstanced beyond our control, we should make every effort to be at church each and every Sunday.  God is asking us to do that and it is not much.  We are required to give Him specifically four hours of our entire week.  We should definitely give Him more, but these four hours are specifically put in place for us to be with our brothers and sisters and to worship God at a specified location.

It may start slowly that you stop going to church.  Perhaps you missed only once or twice a year and then you find out that you enjoyed sleeping in that Sunday that you missed or enjoyed that money you made by working that time or the amount of schoolwork you did when not going to church.  Once you start missing many times, you may find it difficult to go back and reverse the tide.  Thus, it is important not to miss any time and to constantly be reminded of all the benefits that come by attending the worship service.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:20: For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  This means that we should look forward to worshiping God on Sunday, because we are meeting with Jesus.  If we remember all the great things He has done for us, it is no wonder that we will feel only eagerness to be with Jesus and with God every single Sunday.

2.         Coming Back to God

It may happen that we wander from God, because we did not know what were the right things to do or even when we do, because we are sinners and imperfect.  Sometimes we know the right things to do, but we do not do them.  Still, God loves us and we can always come back to Him. 

John 3:16 tells us that: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God gave Jesus, His son, to save the world and everyone in the world is important to him.  In 2 Peter 3:9 we read that: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

With many things in life there is a point of no return.  We grow old, so we cannot play a child game any longer without attracting curious glances from people walking by.  We cannot attend university at all times, because there is a time and a place when our brains absorb knowledge easily and readily.  However, we can come back to God at any time.  Of course, it is much better never to leave God, but if we do, we have the assurance that we can always come back to Him.

The parable of the lost son illustrates this thought very well.  In Luke 15:11-24, Jesus tells this story.  The verse we are going to read today is verse 20: So he got up and went to his father.   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  Of course, the Father in this story is God, who is always willing to welcome back His sons and His daughters.

In the same way that falling out of worshiping God and leaving His way starts small and take some time before it becomes a big problem, coming back to God is also a process that takes some time.  However, like anything else, in order to be completed it has to start and anytime is the right time to start coming back to God.

In James 5:19-20, we read that: 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.  It is our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters, to do everything we can to encourage them to come back, to study with them, to explain the importance of their souls and how much God loves them and what they are missing by not attending church and not worshiping God.

Conclusions

It is extremely important to worship God regularly and to always be present in the worship Service as long as we are able to do that.  If we have begun to go astray, go away from our walk with God, we can always make the right decision and come back to God.  He is always willing to except us with arms wide open.