The modern church has trivialized corporate worship. Whether through the mega-church tendency of turning the service into a circus of pyrotechnics and entertainment lacquered in vaguely Christian sentiment; or in other orbits, the trivialization occurs through the ordination of lesbyterian bishopettes inviting their “congregation†into conversation about the lived experiences of oppression.
At present, those aren’t our temptations––and may God deliver our congregation from ever being enticed to head down those roads. But that raises the question: what temptations are we most likely to be enticed by? It is the temptation of assuming the blessing of God can be put on autopilot. Indifference, in other words.
A tidy table with a white tablecloth, bread & wine neatly arranged. Rows of families in their Sunday best. A liturgy which is structured after the order outlined in Scripture. All of those good things are just busy work if they’re devoid of true love for God Himself. The besetting sin of those who claim to endeavor to be faithful to God’s Word is to mouth the words while the heart wanders.
Make no mistake, God is still zealous for His house. God will still topple tables. God will still withdraw His glory from faithless worshippers. He who has commanded us to worship Him, will abhor that worship if it isn’t born of faith in Christ alone. Neither our liturgy, nor our Christian community, nor a beautiful sanctuary, nor a high view of sacraments, nor the expositional preaching of God’s Word can thrive without the new birth.
So, if we would enjoy God’s blessing upon our congregation, upon this service, upon this sacrament, we must come through the Blessed One alone. If we come through Christ all those distinctives we cherish come too, and our worship ascends as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…