1 Samuel 10-12

Luke 9:37-62

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”      
—1 Thessalonians 5:11

Some of us think that we have to earn God’s love. Yet, the Apostle Paul tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation is a gift from God by grace alone; it is nothing that we could earn. Our work cannot get this gift for us because it is given to us by God so that no one can boast. In light of this, Paul continues, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). In other words, we are called to go and serve the world. If that is the case, then what is the point of us gathering together on Sunday? We should be out there getting things done, right? 

There are two main reasons why we should come together on Sunday. Firstly, we gather before the throne of God and worship Him corporately. We need to remember that we are not alone in our calling, and our worship of God is not just between us and God; it is much deeper than that. We worship together with other believers, taking in the beauty and majesty of God that is worthy of all praise, honour and glory. We also re-shift our perspective on God who is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

Secondly, we come together as believers to encourage one another. The author of Hebrews writes, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10: 24-25). We gather together to build one another up, to hear one another’s stories and to pray for one another. As we come together with other believers, we help each other figure out some of the challenges that we face, praying and surrendering it to God. We build each other up in love as each of us do our work.

Knowing that we are saved by God’s grace to do good works, we come together on Sundays for corporate worship and to build each other up. Some of us may believe that we can live the Christian life by ourselves, but that is not what God intended. May we not give up in coming together to worship our almighty God and to encourage one another in Him.

Lord God Almighty, how worthy are You to be praised and worshipped. Thank You for the body of believers whom I can encourage and find encouragement from. Praise You!