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 God’s 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 need—and 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 don’t 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

(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.

(leadership) on the front foot

I am a member of a church that has gone through a period of numerical growth and spiritual development of late. This has come after a season in which membership declined and there was the odd rumble of discontent within the membership. Over recent months I have found myself saying that for this experience (blessing) to continue we must keep the work of the church on the front foot.

Having explored the origins of the phrase it seems likely that it comes from the game of cricket. A defensive stroke, i.e. one that is aimed at playing the ball safely, not necessarily to score a run, is often "off the back foot." In other words, the batsman takes a step backward towards the stumps.

Taking a step down the pitch, towards the bowler is often, "on the front foot."

If we view the game as a whole then defensive play is a vital tactic. However, to win a batsman must go on the front foot and attack in order to build up runs.

How do we keep a church on the front foot? How do we take courageous steps forward, seize the initiative and accept the challenges that come our way?

It starts with the leadership and has implications for the membership.

A church on the front foot has leaders that are marked by...

A strong sense of purpose

They recognise that the challenge is not to waste time on secondary objectives. Focus is paramount.

“Forgetting what is behind…I press on…” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Persistence

Leaders (on the front foot) know that they need to contend with opposition, criticism, problems...and maybe even praise!

It is a sobering thought that many of the leaders in Scripture failed during the second half of their lives.

“…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” (Hebrews 12:1).

Self-knowledge and mastery

A leader's knowledge of their strengths develops confidence in God. Awareness of their weaknesses cultivates faith in God.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Continuous learning

Leaders (on the front foot) take charge of their personal development and the nurturing of their gifts and talents.

“Whatever you have learned, or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice” (Philippians 4:9).

Pastoral care

Leaders (on the front foot) care deeply about the flock that God has placed within their oversight.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care” (1Peter 5:2).

No fear of failure

Leaders (on the front foot) are open and honest about their mistakes and failures. Because of this they can accept people as they are...and lead them forward in God.

“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

A sense that they are ultimately followers

Leaders (on the front foot) know that they are first and foremost disciples (followers) of Jesus.

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Much could be added to this but these characteristics (at least) are evidenced in leaders who are on the front foot for the Lord Jesus Christ and his church.

What about church members? This is...

...to be continued...

veiled in flesh...

The core idea of the Christian faith is the incarnation. God took flesh and dwelt among us.

C.S. Lewis said, “The central miracle asserted by Christians is the incarnation. They say that God became man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this”

With remarkable economy of words, the apostle Paul describes this history altering event. "...in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body” (Colossians 2:9).

Everything that the Bible reveals to us about the character of God finds perfection expression in the person of his Son, Jesus...

...set apart in holiness...

...present in love...

...righteous in judgment...

...lavish in grace...

...perfect in justice....

...tender in mercy...

...exacting in standards...

...generous in forgiveness...

The New Testament expands this thought when it says, "The son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). We have developed the English word  'Eikon' from the phrase found in this verse.

Eikon expresses two ideas.

First, likeness, as in the image on a coin or the reflection in a mirror.

Second, manifestation, with the sense that God is fully revealed in Jesus. Eikon goes so much deeper than mere likeness or resemblance. Eikon conveys the meaning that Christ is whatever God is.

The incarnation not only reveals who God is it also assures us of His presence. In the person of Jesus, God comes near.

I love the way this is captured in an old poem...

Speak to him, Thou, for he hears, and Spirit with Spirit will meet-

Closer is he than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.

(Tennyson)

These unalterable truths sound out in our timeless carols...

Lo, with a manger lies

He who built the starry skies…

(Worship him)

Pleased as man with man to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel.

(Thank him)