Jun
23

Come, Lord Jesus

Featuring Robert Locklear Posted on June 23, 2008

Rev 4:1 "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this".

There is a habit in our worship services to summons the Lord to us. It is as if our place of worship is devoid of God and he is waiting for us to invite him there. I have heard many worship songs over the years declare this plea and they have never really sat well with me. This idea of "we welcome you to this place" doesn't seem "Christian" at all. It doesn't tell the story of "God with us" either. This concept gives us the feeling that God is with me until I get to the door of the sanctuary and then he departs, only to see if I will be faithful enough to invite him back.

Certainly, there are times in personal worship where we feel that God is far away. This "dark night of the soul" is typically marked by a personal response of fervent prayer and seeking for God. The odd thing is that, in the New Testament, this is rarely a symptom of Christ-followers in their gatherings. It is assumed that God is there. In fact, so many times evidence shows that God preceded the work of the ministers in preparing hearts to hear the message of God and grace. Look at the work of Peter with Cornelius and his family in Acts 10:30-33.

V30 Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me V31 and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.'  V33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." - Acts 10:30-33

God went before the work of Peter and prepared for the conversion of Cornelius and his family. He prepared Peter on an individual level to do the corporate work of telling God's story and understanding the work He was doing in the midst of those in the house that  night.

The story of God is one of invitation into His presence. He is the creator. He ordains the construction of His house of worship. He calls the assembly together. He offers the message. We offer a response.

As we gather in God's house for worship lets choose our words of invocation cautiously. May we remember rightly the One who has called us together and the purpose for which He done so.

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