Did you know that there is not command in the New Testament to go to church? There is no, “Remember Sunday to keep it holy”. Why go to church at all? That is actually a good question. If we do not know the answer to questions like this, eventually we will find ourselves praying in the name of Brahma and saying things like “Awoman” to end it. We have to know why we do the things we do. Without a command, can we really say we attend worship services because that is what we are supposed to do?
Why Sunday? And why twice? And should I go to both meetings on Sunday? One of the few scriptures about our gathering times, is Hebrews 10.23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
This is not a limitation to Sunday. The early church was focused on loving each other as Christ loved them. Actually, they leave a pretty strong example that we might should worship every day. (Acts 2.46-47a) “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes…praising God and having favor with all the people.” To think, “I only need to go once” is a symptom of a heart disease. You may deceive yourself into thinking you are doing what is required- are you? What requirements are being fulfilled? Awoman…
Since we are not “required” to meet on Sunday- why do we? Why meet at all? In the words of Aerosmith, “I don’t want to miss a thing”. In the more applicable words of Peter, (Matthew 17.4) “…Lord, it is good that we are here…” We gather together to worship the One is worthy of more praise that we could muster in 10,000 lifetimes! I am so glad Jesus did not consider His tabernacling among us to be burdensome.
I hope you do not feel like worship is a burden, or an item to check off during the weekend. I hope we find worship to be recurring opportunities to brag about the God we serve. Why do you worship?