Gathered Together

(Read Matthew 18)

Last week, we got rid of the cold spell. Most days this week, it’s been in the mid-70’s. Not bad for April. Of course, we fish all year long, but it’s so much more fun fishing when the warm sun is peaking through some clouds painting sparkles on the water. We made our plans to fish this afternoon a week ago. My two friends are guys I call my brothers because they are also men who follow Jesus Christ, and they would do anything for me.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20)

I know plenty of spiritual people and some Christians who rarely attend church services. To be upfront, I’m not judging them although I might question their reasons. They don’t love the structured liturgical services that seem too slow or they dislike the praise-type services that sometimes seem more like a rock concert. I get it. Coming from someone with undiagnosed ADHD, I can relate to the more traditional church services. Man, my mind can wander quickly. When our church decided to do a contemporary style service I was against it. With talk of hiding the cross on the altar and audio/video for song lyrics, I thought you have got to be kidding me. Fast forward 13 years, it’s the worship service I prefer.

This devotional isn’t about the merit of different church worship styles. Everyone has different tastes and comfort zones, so if you haven’t found something you’re comfortable with, try a variety until you find something you do like. The bigger point here is to not let our personal tastes get in the way of gathering together with other believers. Too many of us are now confusing “watching church” with “going to church.” Hey, I loved the convenience of church on a remote control. I watch many of my favorite pastors that way. But I never feel as renewed, lifted, or energized as I do when my wife and I attend in person.

When we’re together, we can now shake hands, hug, or not, for those still not ready. We get to see smiles, nose crinkles, and laughs of other believers. For friends with problems, we can embrace them with the laying of a gentle hand. We can’t do that online.

“In the same way the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time.”
CS Lewis

Most people have heard the expression, a church is not a building. It’s not. It’s not four walls, a roof, steeple, narthex, sanctuary, etc… It’s where a community of believers gather together to worship, share, and pray.

I’ve heard friends tell me, “Oh I believe in God, but I’m not big on church.” They tell me that they see God in the wild, in nature. “A walk in the woods connects me to God,” they’ll say. I too see God in nature and love talking with God in the quiet of a wooded trail. But, could I be getting a lot more out of my relationship with Jesus Christ if I gathered with others?

Earlier, I quoted verse 20 of Matthew 18. If you look at verse 19, you’ll see another very important clue to what this devotional is about.

“Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:19 (CSB)

This passage has been misunderstood for 2,000 years. But has it? Jesus was talking with His disciples before and after verses 19-20, so these verses can realistically be applied to His Twelve disciples. Jesus promised them that whatever they agreed upon in prayer would be done. So it’s safe to assume that Jesus is not telling us that if we gather in prayer, God will answer every single request the way we want. But when we gather in groups, prayer has more strength, more meaning, and more connection to God.

Just read in Acts 12:5 when Peter was stuck in prison and the whole church, “prayed very earnestly for him.” The angel of the Lord appeared to Peter, his chains fell off, and he walked out.

I don’t gather together in worship as an offer to Jesus to get my prayers answered. It’s about community. I’d love it if all my prayers would be answered the way I want but just by going to church isn’t going to make that happen. I know that Jesus appreciates what’s in my heart more than anything I do out of obligation. He’s the one who died for me, I’m obligated to Him.

After we got setup fishing, one of my friends put some music on his phone. We listened to a mixture of tunes from Barry White to Christian contemporary. It was really cool. The coolest part of the day and the best part of my week, was when they were singing in unison to a song by Jordan St. Cyr called “Fires.” I would have joined in but I didn’t know the song. It wasn’t pitch perfect, but to my ears and God’s ears, it was a choir. Just a random group of believers singing in praise of what God can do for them. For us.

So, we caught nothing today. We saw a bass swimming around a neighbor’s dock ignoring our bait, but no bites. Yes, we love the acton of a strike from a large mouth bass. When they grab the hook and run with it, then piercing the surface of the water is so exciting. We fish for fun. It’s time we spend ribbing each other about the football teams we like. It’s time we spend sharing concerns, lifting up, and praying for one another, I’m more joyous, more hopeful, and more faithful because of these guys. It’s about community.

You’ve walked me through fires
Pulled me from flames
If You’re in this with me
I won’t be afraid
Fires by Jordan St. Cyr

Key Application:

• Where do you turn for support? Do you have a circle of close friends who you can confide in? If you do, make a point of sharing. If not, find some.
• Pray with other people this week. Start something small. A simple gesture of, “Can we pray together,” can be a mustard seed in someone’s life.
• Check in on a friend who’s struggling. You would be amazed at the difference it can make in their life.

Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.