When As we enter week three of our month long look at “missional living,” we are focused on how our participation in the life and work of the church is essential to fulfilling our call to follow Jesus.
Born a “PK” (preacher’s kid), “church-life” has always intertwined with my own. A “great cloud of witnesses” nurtured my faith, challenging and helping me to grow spiritually. Although there is no perfect church, I know my participation in the Body of Christ (the Church), is essential to living “on mission” for Jesus.
Essential to my topic today, is the truth that the Church is part of Christ’s body. In the letter to the Ephesian church the apostle Paul discusses this mystery (Ephesians 5:28-30). Tangible and spiritual connections to Christ’s body via His Church enliven and embolden missional living. We experience these connections when the Church gathers to worship, serve, and go.
Gathered to Worship
First and foremost, believers gather to worship God and exalt Jesus Christ who is the head of the Church. Collectively, we make known that Christ is first, and we are second. What Colossians 1:15-20 says about Jesus, inspires our praise:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
In worship, we publicly identify ourselves with Christ, who alone reconciles us to God. In the company of fellow believers, we re-orient our affection for Christ. We confess our sin and ask for forgiveness. We thank God for His grace and extend the peace of Christ to each other. Multiple voices singing praise and professing faith, remind us that we are not alone. Together we experience Christ’s presence. Worship with the Body of Christ fuels my commitment to follow Jesus.
Gathered to Serve
As Christ loves and cares for the Church, we are called to serve and tend to it. The early church practiced this: “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42) It takes the whole church—every member— to accomplish the work of the church.
Even more, we are called to serve each other: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). Our service comes with the promise of John 13:35:
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
As we serve the Church, we hone our abilities to serve and love our neighbors. Are you shy? Practice greeting those who are worshipping around you. Does hospitality flow through your veins? Use it to minister to the body of Christ. Are you known for your empathy? Channel it to lead others in meeting the needs of others. Let the Church be your training ground for your missional life.
Gathered to Go
In the presence of God and fellowship with believers we prepare ourselves to live our lives for God daily. We worship and serve each other, so we are prepared to impact the world around us. Jesus commanded:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ –Mark 12:31
In order to fulfill this command, we have to leave our churches and engage with our neighbors. When we share the love of Christ with others, we introduce them to the Body of Christ. We pray, “…your will be done, on earth as it in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We help fulfill this prayer by living “missionally” for Jesus in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and social circles. It all starts when we encourage each other to “go.”
Questions to Ponder
How are you encouraged from being part of the Body of Christ?
How does your church encourage and equip you to “go?”
Read Hebrews 10:24-25. What do you learn that relates to this post?
[…] Cheli began this week in our month-long series on Missional Living by writing about how the Church gathers to worship, serve, and then go out and impact the world with love. Today we look at how life in the Church also builds us up in love as we grow towards spiritual maturity. […]