Maybe you have a goal in 2011 to get more exercise, but what is your number 1 goal for this year? Is it the same as Paul's in Philippians 1:21?
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
How is this accomplished? I was inspired to write a few thoughts after hearing my husband's message this past week.
As Christians, we should have the goal to live for Christ, and we are not alone as individuals in this endeavor. God has placed us in a family of believers called the Church. He expects us to gather with one another on a regular basis. (Hebrews 10: 24-25) By faith, Christ is at the center of our gatherings.
What does Jesus' church look like? She worships and glorifies God and enjoys Him forever. She builds the Kingdom of God. Thankfully Christ's gates are strong enough to withstand the darts of the enemy. Jesus said, ... I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Worship is the offense against the gates of Hades. The enemy can only be silent as we give our worship to God.
As we enter into worship we are brought into a heavenly company of angels and to the assembly of the firstborn in heaven and the just men made perfect. (Hebrews 12:22) We have been transformed, as those who have gone before us, from the worship of idols to the worship of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a time of rejoicing in all the Lord has done for us. We have to put aside all the sins that entangle us and look to the One who has redeemed us. By faith we are lifted up into the the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22-23
When we gather together each week and are brought into the worship of God with the heavenly hosts, it's as if we get to go to heaven. Who would want to miss out on heaven? We are a part of the Kingdom of God now and Christ is the King. It is not something we have to wait for later - it is happening now! We must look with anticipation to entering into the joy of going to heaven each Sunday! It should be the highlight of our week - the beginning of a new week to serve the Lord.
Our Sunday worship connects us to the rest of our week where we live out the goal of living for Christ. We continue in that Sunday dialog with God as we work, sing, pray, read the Bible, and serve others. It continues in a cycle as we again look forward to gathering with God's people and dialog once more - God speaks His Word (He initiates - He calls us) and we respond in faith with recitations, singing, giving, listening, and prayer- it's our work. Someday our worship will be made perfect when Christ returns- we must be ready and practised up for that glorious day!
May God be glorified as we enter into heaven each Lord's Day in 2011, and may that worship carry us through living for Him each week and into eternity!
