The Divine Service
Hymnary, p. 60
The liturgy, or service, of the church is first and foremost what God does for us. Sure, there are opportunities for us to respond with thanks within the service, but the service is fundamentally a blessing of God upon us.
It is ironic that while the modern world might ask, “Where in the world is God,” the answer is that He is, and He is active, wherever His word and sacraments are faithfully taught and administered. This is particularly so where His people gather together around that word and sacrament.
How do we know this? Jesus says, (Matthew 18:20) “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” He also tells us (Matthew 28:20) “…. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So we know that God Himself comes to us in and through the proclamation of His word, which is what it means to gather “in Jesus’ name.”
He Himself then works through the faithful preaching of His word to reprove our sin and (most especially!) to give to us the forgiveness of sins through the gospel. As Jesus says, (Luke 10:16) “He who hears you hears Me …” (NKJV)
Because He works through His word, you can rest assured that he truly gives to you also the promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He gives and offers it to you through His word, and you receive it through the faith that He ignites and feeds in your heart, for, “…faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ". (Romans 10:17)
When you come to the services of God’s house where His word is proclaimed faithfully, please remember that is one place where God Himself comes to you and gives you the forgiveness of all your sins.
Next week: Preparation