Hey Church!

Election season is upon us. This is our moment to shine the light of Jesus into this dark, sad world. As the general public embraces ethics of death at every turn (abortion, LGBTQ+, gender reassignment, Marxism, political violence, depopulation, etc.), the Lord of Life calls us to proclaim the good news of His Kingdom (and, as Pastor Tom often says, to “vote Christianly”). During this tumultuous stretch of time, let us remember that the harvest is plentiful and ripe for the picking! Gathering for worship every Sunday is one powerful way we can protest the gods of this world, show our fealty to the true King, and push back the demonic forces of darkness. 

First, worshiping together lifts our eyes above the fray and resets our focus on what is good and true. As long as we are looking down at the chaotic waves of change and reacting in the flesh, we are likely to become increasingly similar to the world: lost and proud. But when we gaze upon the glory of the King and give him our wholehearted worship, everything else is put in its proper place beneath His lordship.  

Second, worshiping together is a foretaste of the heavenly Kingdom, an oasis in the wilderness. When we enter the house of the Lord, there is fullness of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—all the things the outside world is groaning for but can only produce in the form of counterfeits. Delight yourself in Him and the good gifts He gives this Lord’s Day.

Third, worshiping together is a protest against the pantheon of gods that are worshiped by our culture. When we exalt Jesus above all else, we defy the gods of greed, death, selfishness, hate, division, violence, perversion, confusion, and pride. We do not exist to appease the likes of them, nor do we fear whatever desolations may come with their wrath. Why should we be afraid of hunger, poverty, persecution, or death? They are powerless in the end. Even if we are brought low, and our nation be brought to its knees, God will be proven strong. Heaven overflows with saints who were beacons of light in the darkest of times. It will be our honor and joy to be counted among them. 

Fourth and finally, worshiping together renews our morale in this long and difficult conflict. As citizens of heaven, we are at war with an enemy who never ceases to buffet our walls, tempt us with high treason, and assail us with every kind of affliction in his arsenal. Do not fear him. His days are numbered. But the One who goes before us in victory is Faithful and True, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. His eyes are blazing with fire, His mouth is a sword, and He will not relent in judgment until the full fury of His wrath has been poured out (Rev. 19:11-16). Look around this Sunday when we sing and let our voices be a reminder that you are a member of a great horde advancing under the banner of Jesus Christ. 

As a wonderful consequence of our gathering, outsiders who visit will see that God is surely among us and some will be called to follow Him (1 Cor. 14:24-25). When we sing, pray, and hear God’s Word together this Sunday, be conscious of the battle ensuing in the spiritual realm. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). 

Listen to this old hymn written for the Protestants in England when they faced perilous political times: