I want to review some reasons for Congregational Worship.
1. To Glorify God - "You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand" (Psalm 16:11). "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:13).
2. To enable people to come into the presence of the Lord - "Come before Him with joyful singing" (Psalm 100:2). We should think of our worship services as a progression into the manifest presence of God every time we gather as the church. Lives are always changed in God's presence.
3. To enhance the ministry of God's Word - "While the musician was playing, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha" (2 Kings 3:15). Congregational worship gives opportunity for God to minister to our lives through His Word.
4. To assist getting the Word of God into our minds and hearts - "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16). Worship time is also a teaching time and there is no better way of memorizing and meditating on God's Word than through the singing of God's truth.
5. To celebrate the finished work of Christ's Cross and remember our salvation history - "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood . . . to Him be glory and power forever and ever!" (Revelation 1:5, 6). In the Old Testament we review Israel's history of praise and every time we gather together we remember, review, and rehearse our own redemption story of grace.
6. To exalt Christ and testify of Him - "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself" (John 12:32). And of course Psalm 40 - ". . . they will see and put their trust in Him". When we exalt Him others see Him and are drawn to His mercy, grace, and love.
7. To defeat the enemy - "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab . . . and they were defeated" (2 Chronicles 20:22). We see in Psalm 149: 6-9 that people who are praising God and who love the Word of truth will bind the enemy. Hallelujah!
These are just a few of the Biblical reasons for Congregational Worship. May we not forsake the assembling of ourselves as the gathered body...joining hearts and voices in worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! mjm
A Melody from Michael J. . . . a Personal and Worship Blog
