The Gatherings Of God's People

by G. A. JONES | Category: The Gatherings Of God's People | Jun 1952

John 3.16 has been called "the Gospel in miniature". Similarly Acts 2.41-42 presents the will of God in the same small compass:

"Then they that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers." This is the divine order, and it is important to do according as it is written.

We desire to say a little about the gatherings of God's people. "They continued stedfastly in .. . the breaking of the bread." This is the first weekly gathering on the first day of the week. See Acts 20.7.

As a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, His command comes to you, "This do in remembrance of Me"! He said, "If ye love Me ye will keep My commandments" (John 14.15). Here is the test of our love. A realization of this will help us never to be absent from the Lord's day morning meeting if we can possibly be present.

Secondly, have you realized that you are in a priesthood, serving on this occasion in the highest form of priestly service? It has pleased God, according to His purpose and will for His people, to associate with the breaking of the bread the worship of His people. W6rship, praise, and thanksgiving are to be rendered to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ as thus we contemplate the Person of His well beloved Son (1 Peter 2.5).

We are instructed in the light of this important gathering-"But let a man prove or examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup." Read 1 Corinthians 11.28 to 84. We need to examine ourselves and where sin and failure are known then it is necessary to make confession. Is it possible that we come to the Remembrance never having spoken to the Lord at all? No prayer, not one word of thanksgiving as you anticipate this blessed, yet solemn gathering. Late rising, a last minute arrival at the meeting -not a moment with God either to speak to Him or to hear His voice. Perhaps you have had this unhappy experience again and again. You will agree that our God is deserving of better than this.

We desire to pass on a number of helpful suggestions.

Keep before you through the whole week the Lord's day morning gathering and your responsibility thereto.

Be sure to speak to the Lord about your failures. Come with a thankful heart! Be ready well in time! Be at the meeting if possible fifteen minutes before the set time. Read and meditate upon the word of God day by day so that your meditation may be sweet to Him when assembled with His saints (Psalm 104.33 and 34). Be exercised to contribute in praise and thanksgiving. Follow the course of the thanksgiving in the meeting. "Remember Him" indeed

and the Holy Spirit will doubtless lead you to give your portion to the Lord.

Thus shall we be helped to realize in fuller measure God's purpose in the words: "Gather My saints together unto Me: those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice" (Psalm 50.5).

G. A. JONES | Jun 1952
The Gatherings Of God's People