Worship is the supreme and only indispensable activity of the Christian Church.
We are thankful to God that we in Bethesda Chapel enjoy the privilege of worship Sunday after Sunday for the last 70 years. I write in this column, hoping that it will be an encouragement to those who are gathering in the 8am worship service where the congregation has the privilege to exercise their individual priesthood by expression in the “open worship”. We are reminded in 1 Peter 2: 4-5 “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ”. And every Sunday, we are called to bring worship and praise to God and His Son.
If worship is the supreme and only indispensable activity, we hence need to be Prepared before we Participate. And these should be the top priorities in our Sunday gathered worship session.
Scriptures like 1 Samuel 7:3 (urges us to prepare our hearts); Col 3:2 (setting our mind on the things above); Heb10:24 (how to stir up one another). (1) On Sunday morning, are we as prepared as possible, i.e. mentally, spiritually, emotionally – to worship together with the gathered assembly of God’s people? Whenever someone stood up in the open time and said that his QT that morning has revealed certain encouragement. That’s a good preparation! (2) Are we able to come to church with a peaceful heart. Are we willing to forgive one another and be at peace with one another and with God, even before we offer our worship. (3) Are we deliberate in tuning our minds before Sundays. Careless, late Saturday nights will lead to careless Sunday mornings. We should be rested and fully engaged on Sunday morning. A preacher once mentioned that we should not be spectator when we come into worship. Corporate worship is not and must not become a spectator event. Hebrews 13:15 asks us to “offer a sacrifice of praise; Psalm 98:1 encourage us to “sing unto the Lord; 1 Tim 4:13 exhorts us to do public reading of Scripture. We need to obey God’s word. Let’s remind ourselves and encourage one another to do it. Read a passage that God has impressed upon our hearts throughout the week. Lead the congregation with a hymn or song that has meant so much to you! Singing is not an optional extra, it is an act of obedience that provides mutual encouragement and instruction to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. May I encourage all worshippers gathered on Sundays to exercise the priesthood that God has so generously given to all of us. Let’s Prepare and Let’s Participate as each Sunday worship is yet another rehearsal for the final gathering that we are all awaiting!Andrew Lim
