The Gathering - Part Four

     A few weeks back we started a discussion on the worship gathering in order to consider, from a biblical perspective, why we meet and what we are to be about when we gather. We started with this calling: 

To remember what God has done to bring us into relationship with Himself through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to celebrate the communion that is now possible with God, to give attention to His word and to recommit to living within the grace of this covenantal relationship with God and each other.

     If remembering God's plan and action to bring us back to Himself, we call this the Gospel, is to be the focal point of our gatherings, let's make clear what the Gospel is. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 gives the most succinct statement of the Gospel when Paul states,

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 

     This good news must be remembered each time we gather as believers for worship because it is our only hope for being able to worship. We remember that we have a holy and righteous God who has created us and who desires to commune with us. Our sin separates us from this relationship and a righteous God must punish this sin. In order to bring about reconciliation, God poured out the penalty for sin upon His Son Jesus Christ. He died upon a cross and was buried in a tomb. Because God's righteous wrath was satisfied by Jesus' sacrifice, God raised Him from the dead. That is the Gospel that we have received and which we remember when we gather to worship.

"Father, thank you for the Gospel. It is Your power for salvation to all who believe. May we believe in truth and clarity! May we never mix your Gospel with our own efforts and think that we can add anything that brings about our reconciliation with You. May this Gospel be central as we gather together to worship You. Amen."

Songs for Our Gathering this Week:

Our God (Is Greater

     by Matt Redman | Chris Tomlin | Jesse Reeves | Jonas Myrin

Before the Throne of God Above

     by Charitie Less Bancroft

I Stand Amazed in the Presence

     by Charles H. Gabriel

Your Glory

     by Leslie Jordan | Robert Lowery

How Great is Your Faithfulness

     by Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman