Pastors Slaughter and Bentz
September 12, 2021
Pentecost 16
God’s People Gather
Psalm 27
Acts 4:32-37
Introduction to the sermonette
Looking back on the past year and half/ two years, Wasn’t it strange when we suddenly we weren’t able to gather here to worship alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ? It all happened so fast! Just like that (snap!) we couldn’t come here. At first, it was just so strange. Then, after a few weeks, perhaps you found yourself longing more and more to be here together, or maybe you found sitting in your PJ’s with a cup of coffee and watching church was kind of nice.
But now we are back in the full swing of things! Praise the Lord, he has brought us back to this place—back to his house with his people to hear his word and receive his sacrament.
And, so we are celebrating, as is only fitting. SO, let’s take a few minutes to listen as God’s Word reminds us of some of the blessings we receive when we gather in this place.
The Blessing of Corporate worship.
The first blessing is what we are doing right now—worshiping together at God’s house. It’s so easy, isn’t it, to take worship for granted? When you have the privilege of worshiping together every week it is so easy to assume that will always be the case and to overlook what an awesome privilege it is.
Just ask Christians in countries that outlaw public worship how much they wish they could go to church. Ask one of our homebound members how much they wish they were able to join us here. Ask one of us when the lockdowns happened how much we missed being here.
The truth is, we have all taken worship for granted at times in our lives. We have all allowed far less important things to become far more important than they should. Where the convenience of staying at home and worshiping on our own schedules can quickly become an issue of priorities that can lead to a neglect of worshiping all together. For example: Eh… we have this tournament…I didn’t get enough sleep, I will just watch it later. Then later rolls around. Eh I will watch it tomorrow. And tomorrow comes and we forget. And if it becomes a habit,.what does that tell our children? What is the lie we tell ourselves? That things of this world are more important than our relationship with God…that our earthly wants are more important than our spiritual needs.
But it is so wonderful to be back. Because here we hear God’s appointed representative announce his forgiveness for the sake of our Savior, Jesus. Here we are reminded of God’s love and strength and promises. Here we stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters confessing our sins, praying, and praising God. Isn’t it great to be here?!
King David certainly thought it was wonderful to be together with God’s people in God’s house. So much so, in fact, that he wrote this in Psalm 27, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
Sermonette #2
Text: Hebrews 10:23-25
Theme: The Blessing of Christian Community
Imagine coming to church this morning and there was no one here except you. I mean, we pastors were here and the Jonah Backus group was here but that was it. You were the only person who came for worship. That would be odd, wouldn’t it? I mean, it would still be good to worship God and hear his Word, but it would feel rather strange. Something would obviously be missing: Your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We’ve been reminded of that throughout this pandemic. It is indeed a wonderful blessing to be able to worship together, but it is also a wonderful blessing to be able to be together, to experience the blessing of Christian community.
I remember last year after everything had been shut down for a couple of months and we were finally able to start having services again—I remember how after the service people would stay around and talk for a while. Granted, they would visit outside in the parking lot, but still they would stay around and visit. They missed each other. They missed their companionship and friendship and conversation and encouragement. I remember too just a couple of weeks ago—it was a minute or two before 9:00. We were just about ready to ring the bells and start the service. And there was still about 30 people out the narthex. They were standing around, visiting with one another, laughing and catching up on what’s been going on in their lives. I almost hated to signal the ushers to go ahead and ring the bells. They were enjoying the blessing of Christian family, of Christian friendship, of Christian community.
Think about some of the conversations you’ve had with someone before or after the service.
“Wow, Sarah is really going through a tough time! First her mom died. Then her brother ended up in the hospital. I’m going to say some extra prayers for her this week.”
“It sure was good to see Bill today. I haven’t seen him in months. He looks good, almost back to his same ol’ self. What a blessing from God!”
“You know, I had no idea Alice was so lonely. She would never say anything, of course. I’m going to make a point to give her a call this week and maybe invite her over for lunch.”
This is part of the reason God brings us together as a Christian congregation: so we can enjoy the blessing of Christian community. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of the book of Hebrews knew how important it is for Christians to experience community and he wrote about it in the 10th chapter of his book. He says this:
Let us also consider carefully how to spur each other on to love and good works. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (vv. 23-25)
The Blessing of Christian Service
It’s no wonder our God wants us to gather together as his people. When we do, he blesses us with the joy of worshiping with one another as well as the opportunity to experience Christian community.
But that’s not all! When we gather as God’s Church, we also have the privilege of serving one another and serving alongside one another.
Sadly, we sometimes think only of ourselves when we think about coming to church. We wonder, ‘What’s in it for me?” As if we are simply consumers coming to be served a product of some sort.
Certainly, we are blessed when we Gather here. We’ve just talked about two blessings in particular. But that is not the only reason God wants us to gather. HE also knows that this is a place where we have nearly endless opportunities to serve our fellow believers.
I think of those of you who usher, take care of our altar area, count the offerings, keep our building clean, sing in the choir, cook delicious casseroles for luncheon (and send the leftovers with the pastor, mow the lawn, teach Sunday school, serving on the various committees and boards, and on and on and on. We weren’t able to do these acts of service for a while. Perhaps it has made us realize what a privilege it is!
Not only are we able to serve one another when we gather here, but we are able to serve alongside one another. There are simply things we cannot do on our own but that we can do together. We can serve on a committee, coach a team, or sing in a choir, organize a youth event, the list goes on and on and on.
God’s people have always experienced the blessing of serving in his Church. Listen to this lovely description of the Christians in Jerusalem in Acts, chapter 4:32-37
32 The whole group of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they held everything in common. 33 The apostles continued to testify about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ[a] with great power, and abundant grace was on all of them. 34 There was not a needy person among them. For from time to time those who were owners of lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds received from what was sold, 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet. It was distributed to each one according to what anyone needed. 36 Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him. He brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Sermonette #4
Text: Matthew 26:26-28
Theme: The Blessing of the Lord’s Supper
Often when family and friends get together, they enjoy a special meal together. Maybe it’s lunch or brunch or a summer cookout on a holiday weekend like last weekend. The same is true when we gather as a family of believers at God’s house. Often we enjoy a special meal together, a meal we call the Lord’s Supper.
Do you remember what Jesus said about this supper the night he instituted it? “Take and eat,” he said; “this is my body. … Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Just pause for a moment and let Jesus’ words sink in: “This is my body. This is my blood.” Think about what it is you are receiving in this special meal. Jesus isn’t giving you a juicy burger or a slice of blueberry pie. He’s giving you himself, his very own body and his very own blood. You will never be closer to God in this life than when you receive his Holy Supper.
And if that weren’t enough, along with himself, along with his body and blood he gives us forgiveness for all our sins. Brothers and sisters, if we ever fail to desire the Lord’s Supper, then we fail to realize the seriousness of our sins. On the other hand, when we do realize our own sinfulness, when we recognize how numerous and serious our sins really are, we want nothing more than to come to this special meal and receive the personal assurance of God’s forgiveness. When we come in after cutting the lawn on a hot, summer afternoon, nothing tastes better than a tall glass of lemonade or a tall glass of ice water. Likewise, when we come to God’s house after a long week, swelting in the heat of sin and temptation, nothing tastes better than a cool, refreshing drink of forgiveness from our Savior, Jesus.
Listen to Matthew’s account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He said, “Take, eat, this is my body.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”(26:26-28)
Yes, thank God we can be here once again. I mean that. Spend some time in prayer this week, thanking him for the blessings we receive when we are here. We can’t know all of the ways God might use the COVID-19 pandemic for good. But perhaps it has made us appreciate more than ever before the blessings we receive when God’s people gather. Amen.