Preparing to Draw Near to God as We Begin a New Year

Dear OBC Family,

The sands of time are winding down for 2025, and Sunday marks the last day we will gather for worship this year. That being the case, Sunday’s sermon will direct our attention to what we will be doing in the beginning of 2026.
 
While January will include a sampling of different messages that touch on Christ’s Lordship, his designs for the family, the Word of God, and missions, February will begin a sermon series on something called Liturgy. Liturgy is a word that often evokes images of clerical robes, candle-lit services, and high church customs. But really, we shouldn’t associate that word with anything but what we do when we gather for worship.
 
In truth, every church has a liturgy. And as we will consider in February, we will aim to answer this question: Why do we do what we do when we gather for worship? Why do we gather on Sunday? And where are we going and what are we building when we gather in the name of Christ?
 
Thankfully, Christians who worship the risen Christ are not left to guess. God’s Word is wonderfully sufficient to explain what worship should look like. And more, when we read the Bible carefully, we even learn that gathered worship takes place not only on earth, but in heaven too. When the redeemed of the Lord gather for worship, we approach the throne of God in heaven. Hebrews 12 says we come to Mount Zion where the assembly of the saints and angels are worshiping God.
 
Indeed, while the saints in the Old Testament, after settling in the Promised Land, had to go to Jerusalem to worship, today when we worship, we have to go to heaven. One of the great changes that happened when Christ entered heaven was that his Spirit-born people can now approach heaven from every corner of the earth. No longer is there one temple that sits in Jerusalem. Now the temple of God is filling the earth, and when we gather together to bring sacrifices of praise,  God is “enthroned on the praises” of his people (Psalm 22:3).
 
More completely, we know that God sits in heaven, receiving the praise of his elect angels and the redeemed from all nations. And when we gather for worship, we add our chorus to the ceaseless praise of heaven, even as Jesus promises to walk in our midst by means of his Spirit. These are just a few of the things that happen when we worship.
 
Yet, I wonder if we really know what these things are, or what they mean. I suspect it is possible that we might be blind to the things of heaven because our eyes can only see are the visible world around us. Yet, when we look through the eyes of faith at what God’s Word says about heaven and earth, and what it means to gather for worship, we quickly discover that when we pull up to 3700 Old Bridge Road, we are not simply changing locations on earth, but we are ascending the hill of the Lord, as we approach the God of heaven. And accordingly, how we conduct ourselves before the face of the Lord matters!

In February, we will dedicate a number of weeks to seeing what Scripture says about such worship, and how our liturgy (our order of worship) can and should be shaped by God's Word. So, that is where we are going in the new year. And on this Sunday, the last of 2025, I will be offering a preview of where we are going, as we will look at the assembled worship of Israel in Deuteronomy 4.
 
To be prepared for Sunday, take time to read that chapter and also Hebrews 12:18–29. Both of these chapters will be considered on Sunday. Additionally, take time to pray—that we might experience the living God when we gather to worship his Son by the leading of his Spirit. Indeed, it is no so small thing to approach the Lord in worship, and I pray that we might grow in our reverence and joy as we come to worship this Sunday, and for many Sundays thereafter in 2026 and beyond.
 
One more thing: If you missed the Christmas Eve Service, you can find it here. And stay tuned for Bible reading plans in next week’s Grace and Growth email. If you don’t have a plan for reading the Bible in 2026, now is a great time to find a reading plan that will feed your soul.
 
For His Glory and your joy,

Pastor David