And we have come to cherish the supreme worth of this treasure (Matthew 13:44; Philippians 3:8). And when we have completed our corporate exaltation of the glories of God, we continue that worship in a thousand daily tasks where the supreme worth of Christ governs our lives. This is what it means to be a Christian.

It is beautifully fitting that Christians gather for corporate worship every week.

When we do, we give united expression to our truth-rooted knowledge of the triune God and our treasure-rooted affections for all God is for us in Jesus. We have seen with the eyes of our hearts the supreme beauty of God and his ways (Ephesians 1:18). And we have come to cherish the supreme worth of this treasure (Matthew 13:44; Philippians 3:8).

And when we have completed our corporate exaltation of the glories of God, we continue that worship in a thousand daily tasks where the supreme worth of Christ governs our lives. This is what it means to be a Christian.

Come to Get

But it is not as though Christians experience steady-state fullness that is ready every Lord’s Day to brim over in joyful praise as we gather for worship. God is glorified in worship not only by those who come full, but also by those who come desperately needy and pinning all their hopes on meeting God. The same heart of worship that says, “Thank you” and “Praise you,” when full, also says, “I need you, I long for you, I thirst for you,” when empty. It is the same savoring, the same treasuring.

Corporate worship is not a gathering only for overflow. The full may overflow. That is worship. The languishing come to drink at the fountain of God’s life-giving word. That too is worship. It magnifies the necessity and desirableness of God. The soul-hungry come to eat at the banquet that is spread from the rich stores of Scripture. This also is worship.

Woe to the pastor who chastises his people for “coming to get” and not to give. If what the hungry people are coming to get is God, their hunger magnifies the worth of God’s soul-satisfying beauty. If they are returning week after week for entertainment, the pastor had better look in the mirror for the cause, not in the people.

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