“The Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God supplies some very practical direction at just this point.  It says that if any are hindered from being present from the beginning of worship they ought to come in and compose themselves to join with the assembly in that ordinance of God which is then in hand.”

I love to see families walking through the doors of the auditorium on Lord’s Day morning.  I see each of them as a living stone coming together to form a living temple in order to worship the living God.  They were once like the dry bones of Ezekiel’s vision scattered about in the valley of the shadow of death.  But now, by God’s sovereign grace, they have spiritual muscle, saintly sinew, and a renewed and healthy heart beats within each breast.  These belong to Christ and they are glorious to behold.

However, I am under no false impressions.  I realize that these beautiful families have their mornings – even on the Lord’s Day.  In other words, there are some Lord’s Days that these same folk might describe their trip to church using the language of Ezekiel thirty-seven, “There was a noise, and behold a rattling; and the bones came together”!  Especially on mornings like these, it is important for us to keep a checklist of things we must not forget when we go to worship.  So, let me give you five crucial things to remember when going to church – no matter what the morning may be like.

First, remember that worship is not about you, but it calls for your full participation.  Likely, every believer would give this a vigorous “amen!”  On difficult mornings, the one thing you are thinking about is yourself and your family – and not all of it good.  For instance, on the way to church maybe your heart is still stewing about the kid’s bad behavior and perhaps their hearts are stewing about yours.  What a great opportunity to bring the gospel to bear on the life of the family!  What a great way to help everyone understand that you are headed to worship the Savior who is the source of our reconciliation before God and each other.

Second, remember that worship is not a lecture hall, but it is also not a living room.  Some mornings it is hard not to feel like your family just crash-landed in the chairs, and sometimes that sense of chaos follows you into worship, at least, in your mind.  The Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God supplies some very practical direction at just this point.  It says that if any are hindered from being present from the beginning of worship they ought to come in and compose themselves to join with the assembly in that ordinance of God which is then in hand.  In other words, come in, get situated quickly, and begin to worship!  To put it another way, join the family activities!

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