5 Reasons Sunday Still Matters

A couple years ago, God showed me how important Sunday is.

At my old church, the pastor encourages the congregation to text him questions related to the bible or theology on Sunday mornings. At the end of service he answers as many as he can.



Matt Jiggins (CC)






One Sunday before the service, he asked me if I had a question for him.

I had texted him questions in the past, but I wasn't planning to send him one that day. Yet when he asked, I remembered a question that I had been pondering for a while. So I texted him the following:


Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus if He knew He was going to bring him back to life?


To be honest, I can scarcely even remember how he answered the question. What I do remember is what happened afterward.

The pastor gave an altar call for prayer, and some people came down. I was oblivious—face buried in my hands, probably thinking about what I was going to eat for lunch or who was going to win the football game.

But after the service, the pastor said to me, “I think God used your question to stir up something. I think some people needed to hear that answer.” He didn't tell me the details, but I didn't need to know them.

You see, what happened was not the careful scheming of men, nor was it coincidence.

God used the answer to a question that had nothing to do with the sermon—and one I wasn't even going to ask—to speak to someone in need of comfort.

That is why Sunday still matters.

God uses people to influence, communicate to, and encourage others—even if they don't know they're being used. Those transactions can only happen if you're actually around other people.

Of course this story is purely anecdotal, so let me give you five more reasons why Sunday matters:


1. Resurrection Day

The Resurrection of Jesus happened on the first day of the week. Recognizing Sunday is a way to commemorate this most important day.

Enough said.


2. Encouragement

Life can be challenging at times, and it is easy to get discouraged and feel isolated. Coming together in a spirit of unity reminds us that we are not alone; we are part of a community of believers that encourages one another:


And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25


Those who forsake gathering are at a much greater risk of becoming discouraged and falling away.


3. Corporate Worship

Keeping the Fourth Commandment begins with worship, and Sunday provides that opportunity.

Corporate worship simply means coming together as believers and can take the shape of songs, giving of money, prayers of thanksgiving, and partaking of communion (among other things).

Just showing up to church on Sunday—if you do it in the right spirit—is a form of worship because you are sacrificing time. But remember, God cares more about your heart than about sacrifice (Hos. 6:6).


4. Hearing from God

When better to hear from God than on a Sunday at church?

There is something about coming together as one body in Christ that allows the Spirit to move. I can't tell you how many times I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in church.

God uses the words of the minister to speak to people in different ways. Look no further than the day of Pentecost (which, as it turns out, happened on a Sunday).

This is not to say that God cannot or will not move if you are not in a church setting, but don't forget what Jesus said in this respect:


For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20


Clearly God approves when we come before him in one accord.


5. Standardization

Of course all of these last three: encouragement, corporate worship, and hearing from God are possible on days other than Sunday; God is not confined to just one day.

This leads me to the fifth reason: standardization.

Good or bad, right or wrong, Sunday is the accepted standard day of congregating and worship. The Christian church essentially began on the day of Pentecost, and Acts 20:7 mentions meeting on a Sunday:


On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.


To be fair, Acts also mentions that the new believers met every day (2:46).

This would be the preferred method, but in our culture it is not practical.

Most people work forty hours a week, but the majority of them have Sunday off. So it's logical to use that day to gather.

If a congregation is going to, uh, congregate, they have to agree on a day. Whether that day is Sunday does not really matter. Nowhere in scripture does God command Christ followers to adopt Sunday.

But standardization is important to provide a common framework under which believers can gather.


Observe it for the Lord

There is nothing magical about Sunday.

Not everyone has the luxury of being off work on Sundays, but do not feel guilty or allow yourself to be judged:


Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16


God is your judge, not man. 

If you work on Sundays do not forsake gathering with other believers. Pick another day. But remember, God wants all of you, not just one-seventh.

Paul addresses this very issue:


One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. Romans 14:9


Ultimately how you choose to treat Sunday is between you and God. Remember, He knows your heart. So if you are going to observe the “Sabbath,” do it for the Lord.

Otherwise, what's the point?

What do you think? Does Sunday really matter?

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2 comments:

  1. Clear and concise reasons for consistent corporate worship. My hope is that more believers will heed your advice

    ReplyDelete