This is not a social gathering, although it does bring us the enjoyment of the society of the saints. It isn’t an academic lecture hall, even though we are duty bound by Scripture to pay heed, take note, diligently search out whether the things taught and proclaimed comport with God’s Word. It isn’t a political rally, although we make confession that makes a politically global assertion: Christ is Lord. As we gather together, we must keep one thing central: we’re gathered to meet with Jesus.
When you meet with Jesus, you are meeting with the commander of the armies of the Living God. The Captain of our Salvation. The Man of God’s Right Hand. The Anointed King of Israel, who reigns above all thrones and dominions. You meet with a Regal King. A Strong Shepherd. A Faithful Servant. A Priest. A Prophet. A Bridegroom. A Lion. A Lamb.
So, with all that in mind, have you prepared yourself to meet with such a one? Our attitude and demeanor is all too often flippant & our minds are full of distracted thoughts. But if we indeed believe what the Bible tells us about who Christ is, we ought to ready ourselves to meet with Him. So, how does Scripture command us to come?
You ought not to come to perform some perfunctory task, as if you’re keeping some scheduled but inconvenient maintenance. Rather, you’re to come in faith, with joy & reverence. He initiates this meeting, and as a worshipper You are to come with true faith in response to His summons, trusting that He wants You to partake of all His goodness. You are to come with humble reverence, for He is Almighty God; and yet this is to be mingled with gladness, for He has ordained unto us everlasting joys.
Prayer of Confession
Father God,
Fill our minds with a renewed understanding of the glory and majesty of Jesus. Save us from the distractions and worries and fears and lusts which consume our attention with trifles. You have offered us, as the hymn says, life and health and peace; yet our hearts, too often, seek after vain things. Forgive us, Father, for coming into Your presence as if our worship of You is more like a chore, rather than our chief end. As we now humbly & gladly confess our sins to you, grant us grace to robustly worship you with hearts made clean by the blood of Christ, with hands made holy by Your tender mercies, and with tongues that are full of Your praise.
You have called Your church to truth in the inward parts, so we now confess our individual sins to You. Selah.
We do this in Jesus’ mighty name, and Amen.
A Final Remark
Jesus has come to meet with us, and He meets with us by the proclamation of His Gospel by the power of His Holy Spirit. Christ comes to meet with you, and minister unto you, by assuring you of this news that is good because it is true: your sins are forgiven through Christ.
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