Are you ready?
My good friend Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” exhorts us all to be prepared when gather together with our brothers and sisters in Christ in a post called “Implying Preparation.” Eric points to the following passage as an indication that we should come “prepared”:
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV)
And, it’s true that Paul recognizes that the believers in Corinth were coming together with a hymn, teaching, revelation, tongue, interpretation, etc. already prepared. Paul says that whatever they do (whatever they’ve prepared, or whatever they do spontaneously) should be done for the purpose of edifying the church – that is, those brothers and sisters in Christ that they’re gathering together with.
Another passage also indicates preparation:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
In this passage, we’re exhorted to think about (consider) one another and how we meet help one another exhibit love and good works. Otherwise, we’re “neglecting to meet together” even if we attend a meeting.
So… as Sunday approaches… and “Easter” Sunday at that… I wonder… how have you prepared for gathering with the saints? What have you prepared to edify the church? What have you considered that will help others demonstrate love and good works?
In at nutshell, I’d say that we need to prepare to listen to the Holy spirit in our gatherings. He will tell us what to say so that God will be glorified. We can trust that how the Spirit leads us will correspond to what He has already inspired in scripture. For example, all things are to be done for edification of the body.
What have I prepared to edify the church? I’m not sure what that entails. I try to catch somebody for a few minutes just after the worship service, but usually having to get all the kids so we can feed them is how I edify others.
Oh, and also the fellowship time before Sunday school class starts.
Eric,
I’m assuming that you’re preparing a “teaching” for Sunday? 😉
Steve,
If you had the opportunity to edify the church, how do you think you would prepare?
-Alan
Alan,You are correct. The problem occurs if I’m the primary one doing this every week. I certainly do not have all knowledge.
Alan,
I’ve never witnessed what you call edifying the church in a context of the Sunday meeting, so I’m not sure what I could expect. But, if I grasp the idea correctly, I would start by 1) showing up, and 2) bringing with me all the knowledge, experience and wisdom that I have gained in over 15 years of being a Christian. Oh, and maybe my bible. Would that count for anything?