Berean Journeymen

What would happen if our Pastor was to say on any given Sunday, “Today I feel we need to go to the Lord in prayer during this service. We won’t be having a time of musical worship nor will I be giving a sermon. I feel the Spirit pressing us to call on the name of the Lord in prayer.” How would you and I react? How many would immediately ponder whether they should stay or go? How many would leave quietly right away or soon after praying began? How many would stay if the praying went for an hour and a half? Two hours? More? What would you and I do? I honestly don’t know what I would do, but it leaves me wondering why I am going to church in the first place. Deep down, why do we go? Is it to be entertained, to make us feel good, to socialize, to fulfill our duty…or is it to know and meet with and be filled by God and to encourage fellow brothers and sisters in our common kingdom purpose? The reason we should be going seems obvious but does it reflect reality?

Why do we gather each week?

When the music begins, where do our minds and hearts go? Are we simply evaluating the scene unfolding before us, or are we entering into spiritual communion with God regardless of the song and surroundings? When our Pastor shares his message, are we simply listening and judging how interesting it is, or are we engaging with how the Spirit may be teaching us, convicting us, encouraging us? When invited into prayer at the end of the service, are we focused on what others may be thinking or doing, or are we simply responding to the Spirit’s prompting and humbly, vulnerably opening ourselves up to feel His forgiveness, His embrace, His love at the foot of the cross in an intimate way?

Why do we gather each week?

Why did the apostles and early church meet together? Were their gatherings different than ours? Acts 2 gives us a glimpse of their environment, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
What a picture we see! Gatherings were joyful, active, dynamic, treasured, and centered around love of God and others. Throughout the book of Acts we see that believers were participants of the faith and not merely an audience or even students. They shared a unified kingdom purpose to have Christ glorified and stepped into the dark world around them to be a light. Undoubtedly it was difficult, dangerous, and draining work; perhaps that is why they continued to gather…to praise God for all He is and had done in their midst, to earnestly seek His direction and protection, to expectantly request the power of the Holy Spirit to accompany them as before, and to leave that place being filled and refreshed for the week of kingdom work to come.

Why do you and I gather each week?

Is Christ not calling each of us to be participants of the faith? Is kingdom work not desperately dependent upon God’s hand and the Holy Spirit’s power? Then let us be about our Father’s business. Let us continue to throw off the sin that so easily entangles and humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and call out for the Spirit to fill us, transform us, and use us for the kingdom work in which we were purposed. Therein births the joy and fulfillment we seek. Are you and I willing to do that? If not, then what’s the point…where’s the journey…and quite honestly…

Why do we gather each week?