Matthew 18:19-20
What does the gathering together of God’s people, the Church, mean to you? Is it greeted with joy, faith, expectation, reverence and godly fear; or is such a prospect met with sorrow, unbelief, pessimism, casualness, familiarity and general contempt? For the early Church, coming together was a most precious occurrence and privilege; we read that those early disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). Yet for many today, doctrine has become irrelevant, fellowship a chore, the breaking of bread a formality and prayer unnecessary!! Everything it seems has to be laced with entertainment in a sad effort to keep people in Church who wouldn’t otherwise be there!!
This sermon considers how this would all change if Jesus was coming to Church!! Oh how things would be different!! The whole Church would be in attendance that morning, no late comers to be seen in sight; worship would ring with note of difference, fellowship would be sweet and there would be no shortage of prayers!! Oh how our attitudes and hearts would be different within us! Yet the reality is, Jesus is in the midst of His people each and every time they meet!! Jesus said “…where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mat. 18:20). By the fruit of our halfheartedness and disrespect week in and week out, the Church of Jesus Christ demonstrates that it does not really believe the words of her Lord. Dear Brethren, it’s time to give our Lord His due honour and worth as King amidst His people!!