Sunday Seed Thoughts: Are You Glad?

Steve Shepherd tells about a fellow who was answering questions for a national poll. When asked for his church preference, he responded, “Redbrick.”

Some time ago in a door-to-door survey, a suburban Chicago church asked people in their community, “If you don’t go to church, why?

The five biggest reasons: 1) Boring, 2) Irrelevant, 3) Asking for money all the time, 4) I’m too busy already, 5) I feel awkward at church.

These ambivalent, indifferent, and apathetic, and accusatory attitudes are not just confined to non-attendees. Unfortunately, some who attend regularly and are identified as “members of the church” are less than enthusiastic about worship. At least, you could draw that conclusion by observing their body language, lack of involvement, and critical comments.

Psalm 122:1 expresses the feeling we each ought to possess whenever we attend worship. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

The is the opposite of God’s complaint through the prophet Isaiah of Israel’s half-hearted worship when He offered this stinging rebuke.

These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men.
–Isa. 29:13

Today, as you prepare to attend your local church assembly, are you glad?

Glad to worship God?

Glad to be in holy company?

Glad to be strengthened spiritually?

Glad to encourage others?

Glad to come into God’s presence in a special way?

Glad to honor Jesus’ sacrifice?

Glad to sing praises to the Lord?

Glad to approach God’s throne in prayer with fellow Christians?

Glad to financially support the Lord’s work?

Glad to hear a message from His holy word?

God desires worship that is not only accurate but also authentic. Unfeigned. Fervent. And heartfelt.

Today’s Sunday. It’s time for worship. Are you glad?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman