The Gathering - Part Fourteen

     One very important reason that we gather each week is to give attention to God's Word. This becomes extremely significant when we understand the context of the Gathering. We are God's called out ones who He exhorts to gather together regularly and to not forsake that gathering (Heb. 10:25). It is therefore not our idea to hold church services, but God's. He calls us together and the common element we have amongst so many different people is Christ. He is the One who makes a relationship with the Father possible. Our gatherings each week are an opportunity for His people to meet with Him and with one another. And during these times He desires to speak with us. 
     We see in scripture that when God's people gather together, God's Word is always central. When God gathered the Israelites to Himself at Mt. Sinai, the giving of the Ten Commandments was the focus (Ex. 19-20). When the Israelites returned from captivity and sought to restore the Temple worship they read from God's Word (Neh. 8:1-8). The early church devoted itself to the teaching of God's Word through the apostles (Acts 2:42). Paul urged Timothy to make sure that he gave attention to the public reading of God's Word (1 Tim. 4:13). When we gather, we are to do the same. Over the next few weeks we want to consider what this looks like for us in our gatherings today.

"Father, we thank You for Your Word. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths. May we as Your Church continue to hold Your Word in high regard and give attention to it every time we gather. When Your Word is read, sung and taught may we recognize that it is You speaking to us, Your body, and may we be faithful to respond in worship to all that You speak to us. Amen."

Songs for Our Gathering this Week:

O Come All Ye Faithful

     by J. F. Wade

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

     by Edward Hodges | Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven | add. lyrics M. Lukens

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

     by Charles Wesley

God With Us
     by Jason Ingram | Leslie Jordan

Good, Good Father
     by Patt Barrett | Anthony Brown