When God saves us, he saves us into the church—the family of God. Like a family, each person contributes to the welfare of the home. The same is true for the church. As members of the same family, we gather each week to help one another and contribute to the well-being of the church.

It’s Not Just About You

I work as a nurse. At our monthly staff meeting, we review our hospital’s vision statement. It can feel rote, but it actually reminds us how each employee contributes to the larger goal. Vision statements keep first things first. If you know why you’re doing what you’re doing, then you’re better equipped to choose the right actions to meet that goal.

The Bible gives local churches a “vision” for what they should prioritize, particularly in corporate worship. Unfortunately, too many Christians develop their own personal vision statements and then impose them on the local church. We think the church exists to cater to our preferences or to give us a certain “feeling” or “experience” of worship. But corporate worship isn’t meant to cater to our desires.

It’s just not about us.

Our church’s gatherings are ultimately about God. We worship according to his desires, not ours. When we gather we should be governed by God’s word, not our preferences.

The Bible indicates that there are two ways you can commit the sin of idolatry. The first way is to worship something other than God: Molech, Marduk, a statue, your beauty, money, success, a happy family, or any other thing, good or bad, that’s not God. The second way to commit idolatry—one we regrettably give far less attention to—is to worship God the wrong way. Many Christians are careful to avoid the first path to idolatry but are often unaware of this second path.

As a result, we let entertainment culture, tradition, or personal preferences dictate what we do in church. But orchestrating our corporate worship around tradition, what we “like,” or what makes us “feel” close to God isn’t just unfaithful, it’s self-destructive. It’s like a little kid who pulls a stool up to the stove, turns the range on high heat, and proceeds to throw a Cadbury candy creme egg into the pan in an attempt to make scrambled eggs according to his way and by “hisself.” It’s just plain foolish, not to mention dangerous and messy!

So the first thing you need to do to make the most of the Sunday service is recognize that it isn’t about you. It’s about worshiping God in the way he commands and according to his desires. Let’s get this point down. Corporate worship isn’t about having a souped-up quiet time in the company of other Christians. It’s about gathering with God’s people, checking our preferences at the door, and worshiping the one true God in the way he commands.

Corporate Worship, Not Entertainment Weekly

We can make the most of corporate worship if we understand why we’re there in the first place. And praise God, he hasn’t left us alone to figure it out!

Scripture repeatedly shows us that God assembles his people for the express purpose of exalting him and edifying one another.

Read More