Saturday, July 25, 2009

Why is Sunday Special?

Many Christians believe that listening to a sermon, praying and singing a few songs is a core value to be done on Sunday. In fact they believe it so much that they spend literally billions of dollars every year to support this value.

When they are asked, "Where in the Bible does it say to do this?" They quickly respond with, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25

But this passage doesn't say we should venerate Sunday and make it more special than any other day of the week.

The passage does talk about our relationships with each other being important but that has to do with developing strong friendships, not making a particular day of the week special.

I remember a conversation with a retired minister on this topic and asked him to tell me about his friends. He told me he had three guys who were his good friends. I asked him when they met. "At church on Sunday", was his reply. But when else were they friends. The answer was never.

It's really too bad that many can quote Hebrews 10:25 to support going to church on Sunday (which it doesn't require) but struggle with quoting the preceding sentence which really answers WHY we should get together. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:24

Which day of the week can this be done on? Is there anything wrong with meeting on Sunday? Any day of the week is good for getting together. Do Christians have to change their lifestyle regarding Sunday? No, as long as they don't expect or give new believers the impression that they need to go to a church service on Sunday in order to do what God has asked of them.

It seems rather ironic that those who venerate one day in the week sometimes miss the fact that the body of Christ isn't about 2 hours on Sunday but rather lives being lived out with such love for each other that we truly reveal Jesus to our world.

Would pastors be comfortable with parishioners forgoing Sunday and deciding to get together more often but with just a few others in order to pray, encourage one another and seek out ways to help others?

I remember a couple from the first church we were in who were in such desperate financial straights that they "stole" toilet paper from the bathroom at church. This couple were faithful attenders and tithers. And yet we (the church) were happily ignorant of how difficult things were for them. But boy, did we love going to church on Sunday.

The goal isn't showing up for a service but to do what Jesus has commanded us to do and this is His desire.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34,35

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