Hebrews 12:22-24 "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."
In Scripture, the term "mount Sion" (or often is spelled Mount Zion)
refers to the Church. What is the one main activity that is to be accomplished
when we go to "church"? May I add that simply walking into the
building which we refer to as the Church House, or meeting house, does not
automatically accomplish the one main activity of worship. Prayer,
Praise, and Preaching of the Word of God is to be used in drawing worship out
of our hearts. There is a song that says, "We have come into this
house to magnify the Lord and worship Him." That should be our one goal in
entering the sanctuary of God.
We are not alone when we come for that purpose and praise ascends from our
hearts before the throne of God. We seek the presence of the Lord by way of His
Holy Spirit as we come together. Jesus has promised to be in our midst when we
come in His Holy Name for the purpose of worshiping the one true God. But these
passages of Scripture also speak to us of our praise joining together with
others as it is lifted before the Lord. We are met together with other saints
of God who come for that same purpose. May I add just now that when any one
person is absent from the worship service, you are missed tremendously. My
heart rejoices to be able to meet with others as we join our voices to declare
the praise of the Almighty. Our worship is joined with the hearts of
others at that very moment. Also, our worship and praise lifted before the
throne of God joins the worship of "an innumerable company of
angels." They "rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8) If they
are worshiping before the throne and our praise is lifted before the throne,
then our praise is joined together.
Bear with me on this next one. When we enter the House of God and begin to
praise Him, often our minds are taken back to the saints who have gone on
before. I look out over the pews as I sit in the chair in the pulpit every
Sunday morning and in my mind I can see those dear saints who worshiped at
Grace Church 35 years ago when I first tried to pastor. Sometimes I fight the
tears as I think back on those who have gone before, but then I realize
according to these verses of Scripture, my praise at that moment is joined with
those "spirits of just men (who have already been) made perfect". So
I rejoice to know true worship and praise is being lifted each Lord's Day.
I have more to say on these verses, but for now let us think about the company
we are keeping when we meet together in God's House. Let us lift our voices in
praise and adoration unto the Lord Jesus Christ.