During a Sunday evening sometime back I taught practical application of the seriousness of corporate worship and the resulting preparation it should impress upon us. I received a great deal of positive feedback and was encouraged to pass it on. So, here it is.
In reflecting on Hebrews 12:18-29, it is obvious that God considers corporate worship a serious matter, not the game that the modern church often plays.
For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR AND TREMBLING." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN." And this expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
If God, Who is "a consuming fire", receives worship (indeed He seeks it! – Jn 4:23) from sinners like you and me, should we not be more serious in how we approach Him? If worship demands reverence and awe, should we not prepare to meet our God? It is questions like these that have led me to form the following practical suggestions in preparing for Sunday worship. I have included practical, mundane preparations that free up more time for personal, heart and soul preparation. May the application of this counsel lead you into a deeper, more God-centered, and heartfelt worship experience.
1. Prepare Sunday's meals a. Breakfast made and table set - simple self-serve breakfasts such as muffins or fruit bread, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, etc. b. Noon meal planned and prepared when possible 2. Gas up the car 3. Pick out clothes and take care of needed ironing 4. Find Bibles (and shoes!) and lay them out, pack diaper bag 5. Set aside your offering (2 Cor. 9:7) 6. Teachers: make final lesson preparations 7. Have children take baths 8. Get to bed early a. Avoid late night Saturday activities as much as possible b. Avoid television, video games, and fluffy books. Avoid anything that trivializes or puts your mind in neutral. God's thoughts are deep (Ps 92:5).
B. Personal Preparations
1. Delight in the Word a. Read Psalm 32 or 51 and spend time in confession b. Read some Scripture about worship (E.g. Heb 12:18-29; Ps 95-100) c. For communion Sundays: read a Gospel account of the crucifixion d. For communion Sundays: resolve interpersonal conflicts, make confessions and seek forgiveness where needed e. Read a chapter from a solid devotional book such as The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. I define a devotional book as one that directs my thoughts to the character of God. 2. Devote yourself to PRAYER a. Worship service as a whole, that it would glorify God b. Service participants c. Ushers and Greeters d. Scripture readers e. Musicians, choir, and song leader f. Preacher g. Nursery servants h. Bible class teachers/ABF leaders i. Visitors j. Unbelievers who may be present k. Teachers: pray for your students and fellow teachers 3. Discipline your mind with SONG a. Fill the house with good worshipful music b. Sing some hymns
II. SUNDAY MORNING
A. Practical Preparations
1. Get up early 2. Keep the television off
B. Personal Preparations
1. Delight in the Word – read a Psalm or two 2. Prayer a. Pray for yourself and your family b. Pray for the worship service and all that will be present 3. Song a. Use a tape or CD of hymns and praise songs as background music in your house b. Listen to hymns and praise songs in the car on the way to church 4. Get to church at least 15 minutes before the service begins a. Take care of miscellaneous details b. Give a word of encouragement to at least one other person c. Take babies to the nursery and have other children use restrooms d. Be seated in the sanctuary, spend time looking up songs and Scripture and/or pray 5. Worship the Lord with all your heart in the company of the redeemed (Ps 107:1-2)
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night, with the ten-stringed lute, and with the harp; with resounding music upon the lyre. For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands. How great are Thy works, O LORD! Thy thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:1-5
God bless you as you worship God this Sunday, Pastor Paul
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