And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Church Family,
It was an encouraging day together this past Sunday for fall kickoff! What a benefit it was to assemble and be strengthened in the faith. It was a joy to picnic with everyone in the updated playground area.
Be the Church
In the new Be the Church sermon series, the vision of the church I am recasting before you the vision of the church. From God's Word, I am answering the question, what is the purpose of the church? Sunday, we learned from Colossians 3 that to Be the Church we must glorify the Lord by repenting and believing, worshiping as a lifestyle, and worshiping as one assembly.
Gathered Worship is Beautifully Fitting for the Church
In response to the message on Sunday, someone may wonder why worshiping as one assembly is so important when one’s daily lifestyle is to be worship? After all, isn't this what nominal Christians argue when they say, "I don't need to show up to the church. I can worship the Lord just fine from my bass boat on Sundays"?
John Piper writes in his book Expository Exultation that gathering to worship in the assembly of the church is not just commanded by God in scripture, but it is beautifully fitting because of the unique glory God gets from corporate worship:
Another reason for the fitness of the corporate worship of God's people is the greater glory that rises to God from unified corporate worship than from solitary individuals worshiping God alone. To be sure, God is glorified by individual Christians whose selfish hearts have been freed to treasure God above all things. Each conquered soul is a trophy of sovereign grace…Nevertheless, there is more divine glory to be savored and shown in the unity of heart and mind and action of a diverse people in corporate worship.
God receives unique glory for two reasons. First, gathered worship overcomes more obstacles. Many hearts must be transformed and brought into unity together as an assembled church, not just one. Second, gathered worship brings together redeemed humans with diverse ethnicities, tastes, backgrounds, expectations, priorities, and peeves who join their hearts, minds, voices, and actions in unified worship of the one true God through Jesus Christ. Gathered worship is beautifully fitting for God’s people.[1]
Replicate Disciples
This Sunday, in the next installment of the Be the Church series, you will hear of the critical place that replicating disciples is to have in the life of every believer. I’ll look forward to seeing you in the assembly this Lord’s Day.
Deacon Nominations are Open
Remember that deacon nominations are open through Sunday, September 19. Every church member is asked to prayerfully submit the names of men who they see serving the church faithfully and who appear to be biblically qualified. We hope to receive dozens and dozens of nominations forms.
For His Glory,
Pastor Thomas
[1] John Piper, Expository Exaltation (Wheaton: Crossway, 2018), 34-35.