We praise the Lord that we were able to stay connected during our COVID isolation. And for the sick, the shut-in, the quarantined, and the person who works during worship times, it is still a great tool. I want to address the rest of us. This is intended as a gentle reminder of what we already know and nothing else: God intends for us to be together in regular worship.
It is certainly true that waking up, getting our coffee or breakfast, remaining in our jammies and watching church online is very convenient for us. And for young families it was and is a way to have the children be in a comfortable environment while the parents can focus. I get it. And yes we can pray without going to church and we can serve others in some ways without going to church. And yes we can give our money without going to church. But just because all those things have a level of truth to them, it does not mean that by doing so we are “doing church” the way God designed it.
So why return to church when this is so comfortable and convenient?
First, God commanded us to be together. Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
If you read the verses immediately before this in the context, he is discussing how since Christ has opened up the way for us to this living hope, we should do certain things together. All the time it says, “Let us.....” it is in the plural. Let’s all together do these things. We can’t do these things together unless we are...together. In fact, he distinctly says, Let’s not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing...”. Covid has become a temptation to do so. Let’s fight the temptation.
Second, church is not just for information but incarnation. If being able to sing in a place where no one else will hear us or we can just listen and “feel” like we are worshipping, and then listen to a teaching that informs and inspires us, then online is fine. But that is not God’s design. When He carried out the plan of salvation, He “sent” His Son. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NIV
He designed that the gifts He has placed in every believer are to be used with and among each other (1 Corinthians 12). We can’t do that unless we are among each other. If information was the only thing needed, God could have or would have texted His plan. But He did not. He came and lived among us. He showed us that our life is meant to be lived with each other, not apart from each other. It is more than information. If we are not present in the “Body”, the Body is not whole. We need each other.
Third, we are preparing now to be present with all believers and the angels in worship in the future. In fact, we join with them now in a manner of speaking. But catch this picture:
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:13-14 NIV
If we are joining with all creation later, why would we not do it now?
Church is a corporate function, not an individual function. How we work, worship and wait on the Lord are meant to be together. Our fierce Western individualism, and look toward personal benefit often cause us to miss God’s desires for us. When isolation is necessary, worshipping online and connecting that way is a wonderful option, but it was not and is not intended as a substitute when we are free and able to be together in worship.
Let me say it again. This is given as a reminder of what we all know to be true and nothing else. It is also an invitation for those who are able to to do so to return to regular gathering because you are missed and your presence is needed for the benefit of us all. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Monday, July 13, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
Questions for a Covid Time
It has been a long time since I wrote on this blog. Spending time away from the “normal” has given me time to be quiet, and think, and pray and hear from the Lord. There have been a lot of questions running through my mind during this time as I’m sure there has been for you. I thought I would write some of them down so we don’t forget them in a few months when the pandemic is past.
First, what if this is a precursor of the beginning of the end? There are a number of prophecy oriented people that are suggesting it is. We know that wars and rumors of wars seem to be happening all the time any more. But there seems to be an increase in seismic activity with earthquakes and now Covid 19. Jesus said these things must take place but the end is not yet. If this were the beginning of the end, would we welcome it and embrace it?
Second, how prepared are Christians for times like these? Empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead; confident in the promises of God; foretold by the Lord Himself that times like this would come; we should be the most hope-filled, bold people around. We should relish the fact we can spend time before the Lord, reading and absorbing His word. We should cherish that we can lead our children in considering the goodness of God and His sovereign love. We can celebrate the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in the darkness. If we were isolated like this and all our electronics went down that we could not stay connected with others through social media, chats, Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Live, email, FaceTime, etc, would we be able to survive in a healthy way? Would the average Christian be able to study the Bible for themselves and be able to share the Gospel with others who were looking for hope?
Third, are we prepared to take the cross and the Word of God seriously? I believe it is significant that Easter is being celebrated during this time. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This is what Jesus said right before He went to the cross and died. “They will arrest you and put you to death for my sake.” He meant it. “Shut up the prophecy Daniel until the end.....Wise men will understand them.” “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.” Self help tips couched in fun jokes will not cut it in these times or the days ahead. Knowing God’s Word and seriously giving ourselves to it is the only thing that will sustain and guide us. It is eternal. “My word will never pass away” said Jesus. So dying to ourselves and taking up our cross combined with being serious about knowing and living out the Word of God are the only two things that will prepare us to face the days ahead.
I believe my questions are not “downers” during a trying time but expressions of the tensions felt in the souls of many. Their answers are saturated in hope and power. This is challenging but Jesus said that the days ahead are going to be so bad that if they weren’t cut short for the sake of the elect no one would survive. (Matt. 24:22). Many will walk away from the faith in those days and turn on loved ones.
I am not saying for sure that Covid 19 is a precursor of the end. But what if it was? If I were a watchman on a wall and saw trouble coming and did not shout out a warning, I would be neglecting my duty. And since we do not know the day or the hour when these things will take place but we are aware of the season, we must always be ready. I see potential winds blowing that could be the forecasters of the coming storm. So please consider my questions (and yours). And more importantly, consider the answers and pursue them.
First, what if this is a precursor of the beginning of the end? There are a number of prophecy oriented people that are suggesting it is. We know that wars and rumors of wars seem to be happening all the time any more. But there seems to be an increase in seismic activity with earthquakes and now Covid 19. Jesus said these things must take place but the end is not yet. If this were the beginning of the end, would we welcome it and embrace it?
Second, how prepared are Christians for times like these? Empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead; confident in the promises of God; foretold by the Lord Himself that times like this would come; we should be the most hope-filled, bold people around. We should relish the fact we can spend time before the Lord, reading and absorbing His word. We should cherish that we can lead our children in considering the goodness of God and His sovereign love. We can celebrate the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in the darkness. If we were isolated like this and all our electronics went down that we could not stay connected with others through social media, chats, Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Live, email, FaceTime, etc, would we be able to survive in a healthy way? Would the average Christian be able to study the Bible for themselves and be able to share the Gospel with others who were looking for hope?
Third, are we prepared to take the cross and the Word of God seriously? I believe it is significant that Easter is being celebrated during this time. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This is what Jesus said right before He went to the cross and died. “They will arrest you and put you to death for my sake.” He meant it. “Shut up the prophecy Daniel until the end.....Wise men will understand them.” “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.” Self help tips couched in fun jokes will not cut it in these times or the days ahead. Knowing God’s Word and seriously giving ourselves to it is the only thing that will sustain and guide us. It is eternal. “My word will never pass away” said Jesus. So dying to ourselves and taking up our cross combined with being serious about knowing and living out the Word of God are the only two things that will prepare us to face the days ahead.
I believe my questions are not “downers” during a trying time but expressions of the tensions felt in the souls of many. Their answers are saturated in hope and power. This is challenging but Jesus said that the days ahead are going to be so bad that if they weren’t cut short for the sake of the elect no one would survive. (Matt. 24:22). Many will walk away from the faith in those days and turn on loved ones.
I am not saying for sure that Covid 19 is a precursor of the end. But what if it was? If I were a watchman on a wall and saw trouble coming and did not shout out a warning, I would be neglecting my duty. And since we do not know the day or the hour when these things will take place but we are aware of the season, we must always be ready. I see potential winds blowing that could be the forecasters of the coming storm. So please consider my questions (and yours). And more importantly, consider the answers and pursue them.
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