Preaching on Why Attending the House of God?

Introduction:

The concept of gathering together in a designated place of worship, often referred to as the "House of God," is a consistent theme throughout scripture. It's not merely a suggestion, but a divine invitation, a source of blessings, and a refuge in times of need. Let's delve into the scriptures to understand the compelling reasons for attending the House of God.

I. Divine Commandment:

• Deuteronomy 12:5: "But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go."

◦ This verse underscores that God explicitly designated a place for His people to gather. It's not a matter of personal preference, but obedience to His command.

• Deuteronomy 16:16: "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed."

◦ This passage reinforces the importance of regular, appointed gatherings before God, emphasizing the significance of communal worship.

II. Blessings Pronounced:

• Psalm 84:4: "Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!"

◦ Those who consistently dwell in God's house experience a unique blessedness, characterized by continual praise and communion with Him.

• Psalm 122:4: "To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord."

◦ This highlights the blessings of being a part of a community of believers that gather to give thanks.

III. Refuge in Times of Trouble:

• Isaiah 37:1: "When King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord."

◦ The House of God served as a sanctuary for Hezekiah in a time of great distress.

• Isaiah 37:14: "Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord."

◦ This further demonstrates that the House of the Lord is a place to bring our burdens and petitions to God.

IV. Place of Instruction:

• Micah 4:2: "And many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

◦ The House of God is a place of learning, where we receive instruction in God's ways and are equipped to walk in His paths.

V. Comfort in Old Age:

• Luke 2:36-37: "And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four years old. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day."

◦ Anna's example highlights the comfort and purpose found in the House of God, even in advanced age.

VI. The Example of Christ:

• Luke 4:16: "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read."

◦ Jesus's consistent attendance at the synagogue sets a powerful example for us.

• Luke 18:10: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector."

◦ Jesus uses the temple as a setting for his teachings, showing it's importance.

VII. The Example of the Apostles:

• Luke 24:52-53: "And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God."

◦ Following Jesus's ascension, the apostles continued to gather in the temple.

• John 7:14: "About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching."

◦ Jesus taught in the temple.

• Acts 2:46: "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts."

◦ The early church's commitment to regular temple attendance is evident.

• Acts 3:1: "Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at the ninth hour."

◦ The apostles had a regular schedule of going to the temple to pray.

VIII. Love for the House of God:

• 1 Chronicles 29:3: "Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a special treasure of my own, and because I set my affection on the house of my God, I give my own gold and silver to the house of my God."

◦ David's deep affection for the House of God motivated his generous giving.

• Nehemiah 10:39: "For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God."

◦ The people made a covenant to not neglect Gods house.

• Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

◦ David's desire to dwell in the House of the Lord forever reflects a deep longing for God's presence.

• Psalm 26:8: "O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells."

◦ David expresses his love for God's dwelling place.

• Psalm 27:4: "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

◦ David's heart desired to be in God's presence.

• Psalm 65:4: "Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!"

◦ The blessedness of dwelling in God's courts.

• Psalm 84:2: "My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God."

◦ The psalmist's longing for God's presence.

• Psalm 84:10: "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

◦ The value of being in God's presence.

• Psalm 122:1: "I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”"

◦ A joyful anticipation of going to the house of the lord.

Preaching on Why Attending the House of God?

Conclusion:

The scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of attending the House of God. It's a place of divine encounter, instruction, comfort, and communal worship. By following the example of Christ and the apostles, and cultivating a love for God's house, we can experience the abundant blessings He has promised.

Preaching on Why Attending the House of God?