Hearing the Music

Our God is a global God!

“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you”. _{(John 20:21)}

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples when he appeared to them after the resurrection. He was speaking to his immediate disciples, but it is clear that we are included in this mission as well (John 20:29). Jesus viewed himself as sent on a mission by the Father. In the same way, he is sending us into this mission, to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.

“As the Father has sent me.” How did the Father send him? He didn’t arrive on earth like some astronaut in a spacesuit to protect him and make him immune from all the impurities and menacing things of this world. He was not born into royalty with all of its privileges and protection. He laid aside his immunity and his power and glory. He became one of us, he took on flesh and blood. He moved into our neighborhood. He touched people, he entered into their homes and into their lives. He took on our sorrows, our infirmities, our weariness, and even our death. He came into enemy-occupied territory and experienced rejection, scorn, and humiliation.

And so he sends us to this kind of incarnational mission in our world today, to get our hands dirty, to mingle with people’s hurts and sorrows as well as their joys and celebrations. It is a costly kind of mission. It is a “word and deed” mission, that is effective and life-giving.

Who is it that sends us into this mission? It is not from some dead hero that we receive this call, but it is the risen, living Lord who has accomplished our full redemption, who has won victory over death, who has overcome and confounded the evil forces of this world. This is the one who sends us, on the same mission, with the same message, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, the methods and tactics may change, but it is the same powerful, compelling, life-changing message.

As we continue our focus on the worldwide mission of our church, we can take heart that we are still a part of this 2000-year-old mission that Jesus began. He now sends us, Christ Church, with his words, with his works, and with his power into a needy world. We give thanks that our church has an active part in a mission beyond our own walls, and even beyond our own city. We are engaged in church planting, campus ministry, and prayerfully supporting 18 missionary families in 14 different countries around the world.

Our God is a global God!

Photo by Vladislav Klapin on Unsplash

Finding Joy in Worship

Some of my greatest moments of joy come from worshipping regularly with God’s people right here in my home church. I am often struck by the thought, early in the time of worship, perhaps in a song, a prayer, or a word of Scripture— “Yes, this is the truth, this is what is real, this is what I believe deep down in my soul.” I am moved by the music, touched by a prayer, exhorted by the Scripture, surprised again by the gospel, met by Christ at the Lord’s Table. And once again, joy floods my heart. 

There are many voices in our culture calling for our attention, with claims of what is important in life. We need to come aside often, with God’s people, to give attention to God’s voice, to be reminded of what is real, what is the truth. And as we come together for worship we have the opportunity to hear the voice of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. “My sheep will listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” To hear that voice is pure joy. His voice is true and caring and strong. “No one can snatch them out of my hand.” 

As we come together this Sunday for joyful worship, may we be reassured and strengthened in our faith, in what we believe and know to be the truth. We might enter with sagging spirits, with withering faith. But in joyful worship, our hearts are lifted, our doubts and fears are quieted. “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Joyful worship awakens our senses, energizes our mind and body. We come to experience the presence of the living God. 

As Christians, we believe that worship is our highest calling, our greatest expression of faith, as we “ascribe to the Lord the glory that is due his name.” In doing so, we are lifted up to the highest level of what it means to be human. This is what we were made for. We will never do a more noble act than lifting our hearts to worship God in spirit and in truth. And therefore, worship is also our supreme joy. It is immensely liberating to express our joy in thanksgiving, praise, and adoration, with music and singing, to the living God.

Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash