“Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.” (Psalm 140:13 Modern English Version)
In a recent televised basketball game I was watching, a team get charged with a technical foul for only having four players on the floor. They were one player short. According to the Coaching Kidz website, here are the rules: “NBA teams are allowed five players on the court at any given time. While it doesn’t matter who those players are or what positions they play, it’s important they don’t exceed the allowed five players. Anything less than or more than five results in a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul. In the event a team has six or more, or four or fewer, players on the court when the play starts, the opposing team is awarded a technical free throw and possession of the ball. If the opposing team made a field goal before the foul, they can either accept the field goal or nullify the play and start over.”
Perhaps, on this Saturday morning that you have been blessed to see, you are asking, “What does this have to do with me?” Well, I’m glad you asked! Let me relate the information to you and show you the relevancy. Let me get technical about it. Afterall, the title above said, “Technically Speaking.”
Here is the response to your question. Tomorrow, Sunday, there are some expectations that involve the number of people who should be in worship. Granted there is no limit to how many people can place their feet on the sanctuary floor. Keep that in mind. But technically, and speaking from a personal perspective, we know we should be in the special presence of the Lord, God. We know His presence will be heard through the preaching of His sent message that is specifically for you, yes, for a specific purpose. Also, the Person of the Holy Spirit will be present, and His presence will be obvious in more ways than I can mention. The fellow members of your congregation will be there, assuring that the Christ is present. I say that because we, believers, born-again persons, we claim, rightfully so, “It is no longer I who live, but the Christ who lives in me.” The Trinity will be present, all three Persons. Yes, the three Persons in the Godhead will be there. However, the expectation is not met, if a fourth person, is not at the place of worship. And that fourth participant, that fourth person, well, how can I say this clearly? IT’S YOU!
Technically speaking, you need to be there! That’s the expectation. If the expectation is not met, there are penalties. You will be penalized by missing something vitally important that God wants to say to you. Yes, there will be a word from the Lord. You will be penalized, along with others, because the church will not be able to function to its full potential if you are missing in action. Finally, referring to penalties, your opponent, will be awarded a chance to take the lead in your life and feel that “the ball” is in his possession during the days to follow.
Can I do my job? Will you let do my job? Will you please let me do my job and tell you one more time, “Plan to attend worship tomorrow.” Look! I’m just technically speaking! Be blessed!
“Come, let’s worship and bow down, let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King