Sermon Illustrations

Reasons We Congregate

Psalm 122:1, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’" We are told that this verse can be translated as, “I rejoice whenever they say to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’”. (The Expositors Bible Commentary)

Our key text today is written by King David, the man whom God said, “Is a man after My own heart.” (Acts 13:22) Psalm 122:1 is part of a song that was to be sung as the people of God were going to Jerusalem to enjoy the holy feast. David is reflecting on the many times he had heard the call to go to the house of the Lord. This is the language of those who have Holy Spirit illumination of the public worship service. An important part of worship that is pleasing to God is that expression of joy when one is called by the written Word to congregate in Christ’s name and offer praise unto the God of heaven and earth. Psalm 122:1 meets the desire of the heart of the child of God who is in love with Christ and the invitation of this passage of Scripture is to be responded to cheerfully and joyfully.

Even though in this dispensation, where the true church, the temple of God are Christians who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of Christ, (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) the people of God are to still congregate and meet in public worship for the purpose of enjoying corporate fellowship in God the Father, Jesus His Son and in illumination of the Holy Spirit.

David expresses joy that is in the heart of the child of God who is offered a personal invitation to go to the house of public worship.

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons