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 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” —John 4:23-24 NIV

God is great!

Special things happen, when God’s holy people gather for worship! Not the least of these is expressing our adoration and thanksgiving to God for His wonder working power and love, through which He showers blessing upon blessing upon us. God is great and greatly to be praised!

A burning desire

The call of Israel’s sweet psalmist David echoes through the ages: “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3). When Christians gather to worship, our hearts should be aflame with a burning desire to offer our adoration and praise to the true and living God. Wow! What a privilege!

Divinely designed for edification

However, the purpose of Christian worship gatherings extends beyond the vertical praise of creature to Creator. In a fascinating display of infinite wisdom, God has designed our assemblies to be beneficial for us in other ways. In addition to coming together to worship God, our assemblies are divinely designed for the edification of believers. Concerning the conduct of worship in the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul counsels, “…Let all things be done for edification” (1 Corinthians 14:26). In addition to magnifying the Lord, God’s people come together to strengthen one another.

When saints assemble

When saints assemble we stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). We teach and admonish one another through the songs we sing (Colossians 3:16). We display our faith in God and unity in purpose by giving to advance the cause of Christ (2 Corinthians 8 – 9). In observance of the Lord’s Supper we share in remembering our precious Savior and all He had done for us. We also make a unified proclamation of His death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:24-29). When honor God as we share in a time of hearing the Word of God proclaimed, we are instructed in His ways and challenged to live holy lives for Him (2 Timothy 4:2 and Titus 2:12). The assembly of God’s holy people should, indeed, be felt far beyond the limited time we are together under one roof.

Hearts touched; souls stirred

When God’s children long for and eagerly participate in Bible classes and worship assemblies, God is most certainly pleased. Heaven’s response is surely one of joy and satisfaction. But, what of our response? God has shown us what pleases Him in our worship assemblies and we must be faithful to His will. Yet, our assemblies should be much more than a period of ritualistic observance of certain “acts” of worship. Our hearts should be touched and souls should be stirred. In fact, our lives should be changed!

Let us exalt the Lord together!

Special things happen when God’s holy people gather for worship! God has designed our worship in such a way that He is praised and we are blessed for taking part. We are stimulated, strengthened, taught, admonished, edified, and encouraged. Since the assembling of God’s people means so much to Him and since it can be so beneficial for us, I earnestly beseech you to take advantage of every opportunity to assemble with the saints. God will be pleased! You will be blessed!

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