It’s Saturday night. The day’s activities have slowed, dinner is done, and it’s time to retreat to the couch for some reading or other entertainment. At this point, you realize tomorrow is an important day. It’s when the saints gather together to worship the one true God. Why do you attend Sunday morning church service? For some, it’s about hearing great music, gaining wisdom on being a better parent and spouse, or just being in community with others. But is that the point? Is it about us or is it about God? Well, it’s both.
From a biblical perspective, we are called to worship in the Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). We are to sing the Word, pray the Word, preach the Word. It’s all about the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14) in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our worship is spiritual, not physical. We are no longer restricted to the temple. Jesus has come to fulfill all the types and shadows – all the offerings and the sacrifices. As the church, we are the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 3:16). We are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9).
“Now, pastor, you mentioned that the worship service begins on Saturday night? Are you saying we are having a Saturday night service?” No, we are not – although some churches do that. The point is that there is something special about Sunday morning, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The worship service, indeed, begins on Saturday night. It begins in the heart, as we prepare to hear God’s word, sing God’s word, and pray that God’s word goes forth under the unction of the Holy Spirit. We are to begin praying for the service on Saturday night. We should go to bed at a reasonable hour so we can wake up ready and rested. We should come a little early, so that we can sit in the Sanctuary, read a Psalm, and pray for the service ahead.
I say all this, not by way of legalism, but by way of emphasis. Sunday morning is the most important time of the week. We need to guard it from compromise. Guard it from sports activities or from the temptation to watch online when you can attend in person.
I pray that the Lord’s Day tomorrow is filled with hope and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13), as we come into the presence of the living God (Ps. 42:2) with a sense of awe and reverence (Hebrews 12:28).
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May you be strengthened by His grace and abound in every good work in love by the power of the Holy Spirit.