Why Do We Gather?
As we have been forced to socially distance ourselves from each other, one important part of this has been that many churches have not been able to meet in person. That means that many Christians have been isolated from one another. For some, this is not an issue because they are so involved in the lives of their fellow believers, but for others, this isolation has meant feeling disconnected from the Body of Christ.
With the COVID-19 vaccine being administered broadly, the hope for many Christians and churches is that they will be able to gather again and soon (they hope). As we prepare for reengagement with our brothers and sisters through corporate gatherings again, it might do to pause and consider why it is we gather. Paul helps us with this through his criticism of the Corinthians. While I would not assume that we need this criticism at this point, it is instructive for us to consider the questions that this might encourage us to contemplate.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. In verses 17-22, Paul said the Corinthians were gathering for what they could get from the church. He said they came together for worse and not for better. They were divided into groups over what they could get from the church. They fought for the first place in line for food. They insisted on their own way. They wanted to be the first to get to the wine (yes, a Baptist preacher said wine!) so that they could get drunk while others went without this beverage. Their focus was on themselves and not on the Lord or on others.
As we prepare to gather, we need to ask ourselves the question, “Why do we gather?” Do we gather for what I can get out of it? Do we gather so I can have my favorite ministry, sing my favorite songs, can brag on our youth ministry, children’s ministry, or music ministry? Do we gather so I can get my way with the color of the new carpet or so I can feel better about being in church? Do we gather so I can continue my family tradition, can get more clients at work, or can keep up my reputation in the community? Why am I eager to get together again?
In verses 23-26, often read while partaking of Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, Paul reminded them of what Jesus had done for them. He reminded them of the blood Jesus shed on the cross so that they would have a place in heaven. He reminded them of how much He loved them to want to share the meal with them and explain it in such a way that we can still partake of this supper and remember Him. When we gather, whether we have the Lord’s Supper every time we gather or occasionally, do we gather to remember, celebrate, and thank Him for what He has already done for us? Or do we gather to demand more? Do we gather out of appreciation, devotion, and worship or out of obligation and rote practice?
In verses 27-32, Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the heart behind the practice. He told them to eat the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner was to invite God’s judgment. Now, he did not say that unworthy people partaking of the Lord’s Supper would invite God’s wrath, for we are all unworthy people. We are all sinners. We are all born in sin. We all sin because it is our nature and we like it. Once we have been born again through repenting from our sin and placing our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are still unworthy apart from what He has done for us. But an unworthy manner is approaching worship with no regard for the majesty of God, no desire to pour ourselves out in service to Him and to others, and no consideration of what it cost to make us acceptable to God. When we gather, do we do so to ask God to reset our hearts on the things of heaven? Do we prepare to come together as one to worship and adore Him, or to cause people to focus on us?
Lastly, in verses 33-34, Paul told the Corinthians to wait on one another. That is to show others a change that only He can bring. They were to live differently than they did before they surrendered their lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior. They were to show that difference in the way they interacted when they gathered. When we can gather, will it be to show the difference God has made in us, or will it be to get back to having our way and getting to do my thing?
As we prepare to gather again, if we have not been, we need to consider why we are gathering. Let us follow Paul’s instructions so that our gathering will be a blessing to God and not just so we can get ours.