The first day of the week, Sunday, was the typical day of gathering and worship of the early Christians (Jn. 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2); and it is referred to as “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10). The phrase “the Lord’s day” is best understood as a reference to Sunday. It became customary to refer to Sunday because Christ rose from the grave on Sunday. The apostle John was met by the risen, ascended, and exalted Christ on the first day of the week to reveal the prophecy of the Book of Revelation. When early Christians gathered for their worship on the first day of the week, they would spend a lot of time together in worship, studying God’s Word, praying, fellowshipping, breaking bread, etc. (Acts 20:7, 11). Listening to the exposition of the Scriptures was their delight, and hence a whole-day affair (Acts 28:23).
The church historians record that in the first four centuries after the Reformation, most Protestant churches met for worship on the Lord’s Day in the morning and evening; the believers considered both services necessary for their spiritual rejoicing and edification. In the last six decades, the evening service has been frowned at and has become so uncommon. This abandoning of the evening (or afternoon) service in Protestant churches is a sign of the growing spiritual apathy and worldliness of the Christians of our time, who spend much of the Lord’s Day for secular purposes rather than spiritual.
Brethren, there is no good and acceptable reason why our generation of Christians will allow ourselves to be less passionate about spiritual things, and be unlike the godly Christians of yesteryears. Let us not waste our opportunity to serve the purposes of God devoutly. Let us consider our short time here on earth with utmost seriousness in using it for our spiritual nourishment and for God’s glory. Let us take heed of the Scriptural exhortation: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).
There are amazing blessings in coming together and learning God’s Word from the teaching service on Sunday evenings. Come with your families to learn from God’s Word. We are now learning from the biblical history of “The Kings of Judah and Israel”. Let us gratefully come to hear His Word and save ourselves and our children from the evils of this generation. Make it our habit to be found in His house on the Lord’s Day.
The 18th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu, the Philippines, was held last Sunday (17th July 2022).
Over the past two weeks, two sisters came forward to give their testimonies during our church’s Tuesday night prayer meetings. They are published below to encourage all Gethsemaneans to consider the prayer meetings.
Judy Chan
I would like to testify of the Lord’s goodness in helping me overcome my struggle in attending prayer meetings. Coming for prayer meetings initially had been an intense spiritual battle. Before coming to Gethsemane, I thought prayer meetings were optional, on a need-to basis. Since coming here, I learned that the prayer meeting is crucial to our spiritual growth, as shown by the pattern of the early followers of Christ. They “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1: 14). Even though I became aware of the importance of the prayer meeting, because of the weakness of my flesh, I felt like my whole being was resistant to going for prayer meetings. I thank God for speaking to me continually through the messages preached. Yet, regular participation in prayer meetings was challenging for me. Sometimes I thought this struggle would never end, but God was gracious to see me through. Slowly, I experienced less resistance within me and even look forward to coming every Tuesday for the church prayer meeting. Praise the Lord for helping me overcome my struggle! Truly, as the hymn often sung by the children declares, “God is so good”!
Xin Hui
The hymn “Amazing Grace” truly testifies of God‘s goodness to me. The third stanza of this hymn spoke to me, especially when my parents were against my faith in Christ in its early stage. I went through a lot of stress and fear. Yet, God’s grace has seen me safely through all those testings of my faith. He has shown me how good He is, even in my bouts of depression and hopelessness. When we are weak, God’s strength is made perfect! I pray that we will constantly be reminded of God’s saving grace in our lives that saved us from eternal damnation and into the wonderful hands of Jesus Christ. Oh, how good our Saviour is! This comforting and assuring truth is also declared in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”