Bulletin Articles
Bulletin Article for December 17, 2023
“Drawing Near in Worship”
Jason Moore – c/o Folsom church of Christ, Folsom, CA
It’s often hard to speak in absolutes. It’s hard to say without qualification that something is the best, the most, the superlative. But sometimes you can. For instance, the gospel is good news. But it is not just good news. It is the good news. In fact, it is the best news. No justification, no qualification is required. With the good news of the gospel, all bad news is bearable. Just as there is a superlative quality to God’s revelation to man, a distinctive excellence ought to be observed in man’s response to God. There are some absolutes that can be stated without exaggeration about your worship that when realized will make your worship more meaningful and bring your life and affection nearer to God.
Of all the programs in which you might participate, none is more significant than the Lord’s worship. At an hour that competes with your worship time, there might be a television program of some value on, but I doubt it. At that moment, perhaps there’s a parade being given for some noteworthy person or event somewhere. No matter. There may be a gathering of business moguls, of entertainment celebrities, or of political powers occurring someplace or some places across the globe. 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 (Heb. 12:22-23). Where else would you rather be?
Of all the sights you might behold, none is more wonderful than the Lord’s assembly. The Rocky Mountains are steep and majestic. The Smoky Mountains are gentler and cozy. The Falls of Niagara are entrancing and awesome. The Caribbean waters are enchanting and carefree. God has created so many vistas for man to behold, all full of wonder. But no work of God rivals the wonder of the new birth and the family that is the consequence of that birth. As to this salvation, the prophets…made careful search and inquiry…. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you…things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10, 12). When we assemble, we see what men and angels of ancient times longed to see. We see God’s latest, greatest work.
Of all the petitions that might be offered to persons of a mind and capacity to help, none will make more difference than the prayers of the Lord’s people. Someone, somewhere, today will call upon medical personnel to come assist or save a life. Someone, somewhere, today will visit a member of the Senate or Congress to request a favor or plead a cause. Someone somewhere today will write a letter or type an email to argue their case, to make amends, to offer a settlement, to confess their love or gratitude. But today all the convicted - called out someone's living in all the somewheres across the world - will draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that [they] may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). No other petitions offered by any persons to any other power will make more difference than the fervent petitions, confessions, adulation, and intercessions offered by these persons. To whom would you rather speak today?
Of all the discussions that might be entertained, none is more practical, more useful, more down to earth than the preaching of the Lord’s word. Today, a weary but enthusiastic grad student may be working on a thesis that will determine not only the course of his life but revolutionize the thinking in his academic discipline. Today, a lab technician may excitedly call his colleague to relay the news of some long-anticipated breakthrough in medicine. Today, a father will go over the algebra homework one more time with his daughter in tears, and finally, they’ll both understand. But of all the investigations, all the discoveries, and all the teary-eyed, bleary-eyed, weary-eyed conversations to take place this day, none will compare to the glories of the preached word. And for this reason, we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe (1 Thess. 2:13). God has spoken. Whose word would you rather hear?
Whenever you worship, you choose the best part of the day, the best program in which to participate, the best sight to behold, the best petitions to be offered, the best discussion to be had. Give it your best then, and no less, knowing that God has given His best to you. It’ll make you nearer to Him. And that will be best of all.
