Sunday 25 January 2015

now is the time to worship

During the early 2000s I attended the evening service at a local Free Church of Scotland in Argyll. The minister opened the service with the following invitation, "Let us resume the worship of God by singing Psalm..." That comment grated on me then and still does today. Was the minister implying that what took place between the morning and evening service was something less than true worship?

By contrast, a good number of years after that I joined the young people I work with at a south of Glasgow youth event called 'Catalyst.' The evening was a mix of worship and teaching. The very last song we sang that night was, in my mind, a stroke of genius. As we finished and headed home, anticipating the week ahead, we were invited to sing, "Come, now is the time to worship..." Leaving a "worship event" we were encouraged to contemplate that the coming week was an opportunity to serve and honour God...a true offering of worship to God.

Worship dominates the whole Bible; it is to be the focus and priority of the people of God. "Ascribe to The Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness" (Psalm 29:2).

With this kind of emphasis it seems clear that we need a big view of worship.

From what I understand of the Bible I see worship flowing in at least three directions...

...the Outward Flow...
In Romans 14 the apostle Paul says that if our actions have a negative impact on other Christians we should respond appropriately. Sensitivity to our brothers and sisters in their needs is an act of worship. "If you serve (worship) Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too" (Romans 14:18).

Jump forward a chapter and we discover that Paul is describing his view of outreach and evangelism. "For by Gods grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:15-16). When Paul communicated the Good News it was an act of worship.

Towards the end of his letter to the Philippians Paul expresses gratitude for the financial support given to him by this church family. "At the moment I have all I needand more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18). Our response to those in need is an act of worship.

...the Inward Flow...
I see a powerful contrast between misguided worship and God-honouring worship in Scripture. "...a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world......live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true." (Ephesians 5:5, 8-9).
Our personal conduct is an act of worship.

...the Upward Flow...
"Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And dont forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God" (Hebrews 13:15-16).

When I see worship as a response to God, woven through the fabric of my life, it is amazing how my attitude changes towards the circumstances I face. In that light, worshipping lives can be summed up in the words of an old adage...

God is glorified
I am purified
Fellow Christians are edified
The local community is evangelised


Sunday 11 January 2015

(church members) on the front foot

I have reflected recently on the importance of keeping the church on the front foot? In other words how do we take courageous steps forward, seize the initiative and accept the challenges that come our way?

I believe it starts with the leadership (see previous blog) and has implications for the membership. It is on this issue that we now concentrate.

A church (on the front foot) is marked by members who...

...consider themselves to be disciples of Jesus first and foremost.
In the gospels a disciple is a learner and a follower; a disciple submits to Jesus as teacher and learns from him, and a disciple also follows Jesus. Therefore, the life of a disciple is different because of his relationship with Jesus. Jesus' call to follow him is not merely a kind of nominal adherence to a group, but one that will lead to wholehearted commitment. Jesus' disciples are people for whom a life has been given in ransom (Matthew 20:28) and who are committed to following and serving Jesus, who not only took time to teach his disciples but who died and rose again for them. It follows that these disciples ought to be committed people. A church on the front foot is marked by members who recognise this reality.

...put the concerns of the people of God above their own self-interest.
Church members (on the front foot) have the heart of a man we find in Paul’s letters. His name is Epaphras and what he is remembered for gives us much to ponder…”He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will” (Colossians 4:12).

...not only show up but also step up!
Church members (on the front foot) recognise their place in the body of Christ. As a result, they play their part in the healthy functioning of the body of Christ.

...have the heart of a missionary as opposed to the attitude of a consumer.
Consumerism is the dominant ‘religion’ pursued by people in our culture. That mind-set can easily creep into local church life. Today it is not uncommon for Christians to 'shop around' for a local church that they think best suits their needs.

However. Church members (on the front foot) are focused on the mission of God in the world. They take the words of Jesus seriously, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).

My prayer for the church in 2015 is that, equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we may take positive steps forward…and keep the body of Christ on the front foot.