Let us not neglect our church meetings, (the assembling of ourselves together) as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (TLB)
College football is a growing sport, consuming more audience in the critical advertising segment 21-35 year olds. While the NFL lost 6% of its viewers 2 years ago and almost 10% in the past season, it is still a powerhouse of entertainment for Sundays. While televised sports consume the majority of the weekend, sports activities are also in full force as families flee the house in search of outdoor activities.
On another front, more people are trading 2 week vacations for 5 longer weekends, e.g., taking off Fridays and Mondays. Shift-work and seasonal jobs also add to a busy weekend and we haven’t even mentioned our own domestic obligations. To that end, a new survey reveals how Americans are making Sundays “home improvement days.” Add it all together and you have a perfect storm for worship competition.
Even though one of the Ten Commandments is clear about keeping a day for the Lord, Christians are not so inclined to observe Sunday as the Lord’s day. Instead, they are making Sunday a catch-up day. School projects are pressing; laundry piling up; reorganization before the new week begins and suddenly Sunday is the only day left. Something has to give and many are giving up regular, faithful church attendance.
This was not always the case. Sunday was for singing and preaching. It was for the family to gather at God’s House to hear, give, and receive. People used to look forward to attending church, morning and evening. There is much to do and little time left. It leads me to the question: If we only had service when you came, how many services would we have?
I wonder if we still believe in David’s declaration: Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the House of the Lord.” I wonder if we relish the simplistic things of Bible Study, morning worship, and evening sacrifice as we once did. Those were the things that held our lives together. They bound us around the Cross of Calvary and directed our thoughts. Church services brought structure into our lives and made us think about eternal things. Faithfulness to the House was premier and everything else was peripheral. I long to return to those days. I wish them upon your heart also.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
One response to “… go unto the House of the Lord …”
You sir are an amazing Pastor. I cant make it to church but I do watch on Sundays. God is good an He has answered my prayers.