Sunday Seed Thoughts: Why Go To Church?

As we prepare to go to church services this morning, the admonition of the late Bill Fiest from a 1996 Florida College Lecture, is worth our serious reflection and thoughtful consideration.

“It’s time to remember, in the midst of a self-indulgent period in our nation, that our primary purpose in gathering together is not to please ourselves; or because it is psychologically sound for us to do; or that it supports the family structure; or that it partakes of traditional family values (though all of these things may be by-products of our gathering together.”)

“Our purpose in gathering together is to prostrate ourselves before the Almighty God of heaven and pay Him homage.”

In the lecture, Bill acknowledges that worship benefits the worshiper. That we come together for fellowship. And the worship is a witness to the unbeliever. However, the central focus and primary purpose of worship is not carnal, but spiritual. Not human, but divine.

Richard Webber expressed it this way: “The focus of worship is not human experience, not a lecture, not entertainment, but Jesus Christ–His life, death, and resurrection.

Perhaps A. W. Tozer’s observation explains a good deal of the problems in our world and the apathy of too many Christians, “Without worship, we go about miserable.”

When we lose focus on the purpose and person of worship, we need to hear and heed the admonition of the angel whom John attempted to worship. His two words remind us all why we go to church today….“Worship God” (Rev. 22:9).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman