Millions of Christians are experiencing what used to be common in our frontier communities: Church at Home.
For some it is an uncomfortable idea. No preacher. No Priest. No Eucharist. No Choir. No Sunday School. Just you and your family alone with God.
Sure, your church may be live streaming or you could watch a TV Preacher. But could you be missing something?
Like our Frontier forefathers most ancient Jews lived a long way from the Temple. So on every Sabbath the family celebrated at home, staying connected to God and each other. They also celebrated the Passover meal, the Seder, at home, passing their faith from generation to generation. Then, at the end of the sacred cycle of feasts, the family lived in booths together to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. At the Temple the Priests stood between God and Man, picturing the saving work of our High Priest Jesus, but God wanted to meet with His people face to face in their homes.
All the more so after Jesus came. The Temple veil was torn and God poured out His Spirit. Now we are temples of the Holy Spirit, called to live in God’s presence. And He wants to be invited into our homes as He was in Ancient Israel.
So this Sunday invite God to your house. Gather the family and open with prayer. Then sing praise and worship songs, with or without instruments or praise tracks, because God inhabits the praises of His people. Let your last song be very soft and loving, and then let a holy hush come in so you can hear from God. Someone should be prepared with a scripture and a short word of edification. Join hands in a circle and have everyone pray to the Lord, from youngest to oldest, and close with a song of thanksgiving.
By all means feel free to participate in a live streamed service or TV Church. And when Churches reopen after the plague passes remember the admonition not to forsake gathering together.
But maybe, just maybe, you will miss God’s presence and invite Him back to your home every week.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” Mathew 18:20