11.16.2005
Purpose of the meeting of the church
I have been thinking the past few days about the purpose of the meeting of the church. Basically there are two options on why the church meets together:
1) To worship the Lord
2) To encourage, teach, and edify one-another
I think the scriptural evidence is highly in favor of the second option (it's been awhile since I studied it), yet it seems that I, like so many of my brothers (especially those associated with "high-church"), want to believe that the meeting is mainly to worship our Lord. I think that maybe the reason for this is that we feel guilty.
Since we do not worship the Lord throughout the week as we ought, we feel like we should at least do it on Sunday. Do you see the repercussions of this?
I have been thinking the past few days about the purpose of the meeting of the church. Basically there are two options on why the church meets together:
1) To worship the Lord
2) To encourage, teach, and edify one-another
I think the scriptural evidence is highly in favor of the second option (it's been awhile since I studied it), yet it seems that I, like so many of my brothers (especially those associated with "high-church"), want to believe that the meeting is mainly to worship our Lord. I think that maybe the reason for this is that we feel guilty.
Since we do not worship the Lord throughout the week as we ought, we feel like we should at least do it on Sunday. Do you see the repercussions of this?
Comments:
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I wonder if it is even possible that the Lord could be worshiped without encouragement, teaching and edification taking place.
.....interesting line of thought. I have to bookmark this for a later follow up. I would provide you two scripture references that would perhaps help begin to frame some context for thinking in this regard. One would be John 4:23 and Acts 2:42 and 1st Corinthians 11:23-26 (there are several others). This last one is important in that it agrees with what would be considered the apostles doctrine (or teaching) spoke of in Acts 2:42 and regarding the source of authorship which was the Lord Himself as Paul states….hope this helps. ~Regards.
Framing these two as options, and favoring one over the other does seem to set them somwhat in opposition. Perhaps it would be more helpful to discuss them as priorities or goals, although, even then, I would think it would be difficult to separate them. Even, and maybe, especially, in the table of the Lord, which Scott alluded to, much encouragement, teaching and edification is taking place.
Days of Vengeance - Great Book.
Days of Vengeance - Great Book.
Scott,
I look forward to hearing your further thoughts on this matter. I would definitely see John 4:23 as talking about believers who are worshipping their Lord throughout the week and not just "at church."
James,
While I do see edification and teaching taking place through worship, and vice versa, they are two seperate purposes. What I am getting at by bringing this up is: what is the biblical purpose of our gathering together on the Lord's day? The way that we approach our gathering each Sabbath has a profound impact on the outcome of the meeting.
I guess my main concern is the lack of participation, and brotherly edification in the meeting of the church. It is easy to come to a meeting and thnk I'm here to worship God, and then leave feeling like you have accomplished a duty (as if we ever could).
Maybe the outcomes of the two separate meetings might not be all too different, but the presuppositions are, and that can make a difference.
I am losing it here?
I look forward to hearing your further thoughts on this matter. I would definitely see John 4:23 as talking about believers who are worshipping their Lord throughout the week and not just "at church."
James,
While I do see edification and teaching taking place through worship, and vice versa, they are two seperate purposes. What I am getting at by bringing this up is: what is the biblical purpose of our gathering together on the Lord's day? The way that we approach our gathering each Sabbath has a profound impact on the outcome of the meeting.
I guess my main concern is the lack of participation, and brotherly edification in the meeting of the church. It is easy to come to a meeting and thnk I'm here to worship God, and then leave feeling like you have accomplished a duty (as if we ever could).
Maybe the outcomes of the two separate meetings might not be all too different, but the presuppositions are, and that can make a difference.
I am losing it here?
No you're not losing it at all, I'm pretty sure it is an issue that lots of folks have struggled with. But if I am reading you right (if), it seems your statement of it represents a false dilemma. Isn't the statement below just as plausable as the one you put forward:
It is easy to come to a meeting and think I'm here to [participate in encouragement, teaching and edification of one another], and then leave feeling like you have accomplished a duty (as if we ever could).
I have seen people treat the meeting of God's people as if it were some form of horizontal group therapy. We study the Bible all week, learning doctrines while ignoring God, and get to church and study with others and learn and discuss lots of doctrines about God but never deal with God. The Pharisees had this routine down pat.
I don't consider myself a true high churcher, though I go to a church where the liturgy is somewhat high church (robes, unison prayers, four part singing, kneeling for confession). I can't see a conflict between a very high view of worship as the purpose of the meeting, and the fact that encouragement, teaching and edifying are taking place. If these three are not happening, worship is not happening. If what I offer to God in worship does not result in God returning to me these blessings (at the very least)then how can true worship have been offered? In other words I come to give knowing that I will also receive and there is no conflict. Of course what is received is not dependant upon anything good in the worshipper but dependant upon the grace of God.
The things that you rightly long to happen in the meeting of God's people are his gift to us as we worship Him.
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It is easy to come to a meeting and think I'm here to [participate in encouragement, teaching and edification of one another], and then leave feeling like you have accomplished a duty (as if we ever could).
I have seen people treat the meeting of God's people as if it were some form of horizontal group therapy. We study the Bible all week, learning doctrines while ignoring God, and get to church and study with others and learn and discuss lots of doctrines about God but never deal with God. The Pharisees had this routine down pat.
I don't consider myself a true high churcher, though I go to a church where the liturgy is somewhat high church (robes, unison prayers, four part singing, kneeling for confession). I can't see a conflict between a very high view of worship as the purpose of the meeting, and the fact that encouragement, teaching and edifying are taking place. If these three are not happening, worship is not happening. If what I offer to God in worship does not result in God returning to me these blessings (at the very least)then how can true worship have been offered? In other words I come to give knowing that I will also receive and there is no conflict. Of course what is received is not dependant upon anything good in the worshipper but dependant upon the grace of God.
The things that you rightly long to happen in the meeting of God's people are his gift to us as we worship Him.
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