What Are We Doing Here?

I fear that many have simply become accustom to going to church on Sunday. It seems to me that some come to church with little thought, little preparation, and little concern. Therefore, they leave with little profit. There are those who always come in late and leave early. I have even witnessed some reading the newspaper just before service. All of these things show a lack of reverence.

We have come here today to worship God. Is he not worthy of all possible reverence? We have come to this place seeking a message from heaven. Should we not prepare our hearts to receive it? We have come to praise our merciful Redeemer. Would it not be well for us to reflect upon what Christ has done and is doing for us?

Let me make a few suggestions that might help us all to worship our God. Perhaps we would do well to get up a little earlier on Sunday morning. Take time to read the Scriptures and pray before coming to church. Come a little bit earlier to the house of God and when you arrive, let your conversation be about holy things. Meditate upon the blessed truths of the gospel. Seek the blessings of God upon the ministry of the Word. During the sermon, give the most sincere attention to the minister. Let your eyes, ears, and thoughts be directed to the message, not to those around you. Many things can be used to turn our attention from the Word of God and rob us of the life-giving seed -- a crying baby, a sleeping companion, a late comer, and leaving early -- let us try to avoid these disturbances. After the sermon, direct your conversation toward the message, the Scriptures, and God's grace in Christ. Take the message home with you and feed upon it.

Don Fortner