We're Together Again
"We're together again, just praising the Lord.
We're together again, in one accord.
Somethin' good is about to happen.
Somethin' good is in store.
We're together again, just praising the Lord"
These lyrics belong to an old southern gospel praise song written in 1975 by Gordon Jensen and Wayne Hilton. I probably sang and played this song one out of every three Sunday morning services during my childhood. Back then, I couldn't help but wonder - How did a "Southern Gospel" song travel across the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, infiltrate the shores of Jamaica and establish itself so deeply in the Jamaican praise and worship music repertoire that Jamaicans themselves believe the song to have been written in Jamaica by a Jamaican? I guess birds and planes aren't the only things that fly, apparently music flies too!
Let's set my childhood queries aside and focus on the unique theme of this simple yet powerful song. This song, more than any other I know affirms the importance and power of corporate worship. Jesus himself promises to be with us when we meet together - "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them" (Matt.18:20). This isn't to say that Jesus' presence is absent when we are not in fellowship with each other. Instead, this is a promise that He will show up when we meet together in His Name.
It is the promised presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ that makes corporate worship so powerful and important. For in the presence of the Lord, there is true love, true joy and true peace. In His presence, He makes His Will for us known and gives us the grace and anointing to carry out that Will together.
Now, all of this sounds good and well, but I'm sure there have been times when corporate worship on a Sunday morning simply did not seem nearly as fulfilling as the above description. I have experienced this dissatisfaction first hand. I was at church with other believers following routine, doing all the things that church-goers are supposed to do; but, I couldn't sense that divine presence. How come? Interestingly enough, the answer to my dissatisfaction has almost always come from within Matthew 18:20 and this simple song.
1. The verse given above says that Jesus will be there when we meet together, but not quite. It isn't enough to just meet together, we must meet together IN HIS NAME...no other name will suffice! If we come to Christ the Savior Lutheran Church primarily for our children, fellowship with our friends, or out of obligation or ministerial responsibility; we miss the boat. All of those things just listed are good, but they are only secondary to the main reason for which we should gather here. If we expect Jesus to show up, we must come here just for Him and Him alone! What is our main motivation for coming to the House of the Lord?
2. "Somethin' good is about to happen, Somethin' good is in store." There is a definite posture of Expectancy in these lyrics. It is easy to imagine that a believer with the mindset of these lyrics has been waiting all week to come to church, to be with fellow believers and to experience the presence of the Lord together. This believer is holding on to the promise that Jesus will show up, and when he does, He's going to bring "Somethin' Good". Do we come to church with this expectancy?
Let us each examine our own hearts and resolve to come to the Lord's House for His Name and His Name alone with excitement and expectancy in our being. If we do, I know that God will truly meet with us and our lives will never be the same. I would love to receive your questions or comments. Please email me at: jnoelliste@christthesavior.org.