This Presbyterian church stands
nestled on a hillside along the Des
Moines River in the historic tourist
town of Bentonsport, Iowa.
This Presbyterian church stands
nestled on a hillside along the Des
Moines River in the historic tourist
town of Bentonsport, Iowa.
Boasting a population of over 1000 more than a century ago, this once thriving community now has perhaps 40 residents. It no longer is the vibrant town it was, a town of hard working and industrious people. On Sunday mornings long ago, residents of this community would leave their homes, dressed in their Sunday best, in order to worship in the town's churches. They knew the importance of putting their hard work aside and taking advantage of the "day of rest" which the Lord had given.
Over a century old, this grand church still stands, thanks to preservation efforts. Also, after remaining silent for many, many years, its walls, once again, echo with the sounds of people attending non-denominational services held from the Spring through Fall.
Yet, as magnificent as church buildings such as this are, and as historically irreplaceable, the importance of gathering in worship, is not found in a building.
Acts 7:48 declares; "However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men..."
The importance of worship is found in the regular gathering of believers, who come to hear God's Word and be comforted, and strengthened in the presence of God and fellow believers in the Lord.
The Psalms declare the benefits of this sort of gathering:
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love." Psalm 48:9 (NIV)
"Blessed are those who you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with
the good things of your house, of your holy temple." Psalm 65:4 (NIV)
Isaiah, mighty prophet of God, reminds us why worship is so vital:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." Isaiah 2:3 (NIV)
We gather in worship to be taught God's ways. In worship, God's precious promises are heard, those promises so freely and graciously given through faith in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, there is reassurance, help and comfort to be received in the company of "like spirited" people, people living faithful lives in Christ.
Not just any message will do. The proclamation of the Good News in Jesus Christ is the only message that really works, and really helps, and really matters.
The Apostle Paul said it this way:
"He (Jesus) came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
Ephesians 2:17-22 (NIV)
Through faith, every believer is part of the "building" that really matters. It is not the four walls, floor and ceiling that is important, it's the fact that we come together as God's building, a holy temple in the Lord. For, this building, the Church, truly strengthens us when we are weak. It comforts us when we are hurting, or depressed or grieving. It refreshes us when we are tired, too worn-out to face the day. It reassures us when our lives seem hopeless.
God gives us a wonderful blessing and privilege to start each new week by giving us His "day of rest." Contrary to what constitutes "rest" in the world's eyes, God's rest is the forgiveness, peace, revitalization and life that come only from Jesus. Regular worship brings us constant reminders of God's love and promises. We each need the comfort of hearing such reminders, over-and-over-again. Also, as we leave the comfort of our worship, we are better prepared for the rest of the week ahead, which may often be trying, painful, heartbreaking, even cruel. As a new week begins, we are given the opportunity to leave the hard work and chaos long enough to be refreshed by God and reinforced by fellowship with sympathetic believers. The Apostle Paul knew this to be true. He urged God's people, God's holy dwelling, to share the Good News of God's promises, with one another:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
2 Corinthians 1:3 - 4 (NIV)
Worship, in the name of Jesus, truly energizes us to meet the challenges of our day-to-day lives. It is through faith in Him, that we wholeheartedly agree with Psalm 122:1
"I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'
