Everyone is reevaluating their priorities. With all the upheaval in society, we have to ask, “What matters most?”
For us, Jesus Christ is the paramount priority. Our first desire is to know and be known by him. “To live is Christ . . .” Paul says (Phil. 1:21). In a time of resignation and reluctance, we enter a season of Recommitment in November.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, you said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). I know, and you know better, that my love for you has faltered. My heart and soul are bent toward self. My mind is easily distracted and my strength fails. But I know you are gracious. Forgive me. Show me loving kindness. Reform my heart and soul, mind and strength, that I may be fully devoted to you. Amen.
Word: John 15:12
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Meditation
But what about my congregation? Yesterday, we walked through our callings in the areas of home, work, and society. But there’s a fourth bucket. What does it look like to commit to a church, a congregation? Especially today in an age of half-hearted commitments and the Great Resignation? What is each one’s work with respect to the church?
Here’s a place to start: be present. Just like we talked about the specificity and uniqueness of our callings at home and at work and at society, so to with the church. You and I are not just part of some generic church or of a denomination. When you attend a church service, you go to a specific place with a specific group of people. Likely the same people week after week. That, right there is your church. The specific people that God has called you to and made you a part of.
C.S. Lewis once observed that “the New Testament knows nothing of solitary religion.” I think he’s right. I cannot think of a single example in the New Testament where someone follows Jesus in isolation. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Following Jesus is portrayed as a group project. The New Testament gives roughly 60 “one another” commands of how to live together as a church.
- Ephesians 4- Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5 – encourage one another and build one another up.
- 1 Peter 4 – as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.
- And Jesus himself, love one another as I have loved you. It’s worth noting that Jesus’ words are spoken to his disciples on s last night with them before going to the cross. Almost like their own little church.
One another. There is an assumed reciprocity that doesn’t make any sense if following Jesus was meant to be an individual endeavor. Rather, being part of the Church and following Jesus is something that is practiced among and shared with other believers in Christ. It’s a group project.
And your physical presence is needed. I am grateful for how technology has expanded the reach of the Gospel during the pandemic, avenues of connection and care. And there are legitimate reasons why worshipping online might be the right option for you any given week – you’re sick, you’re out of town, you have a specific condition where it might be dangerous to be around others.
But those should be the exception, not the rule. The norm and the expectation is that you would be here, physically present. Because like it’s Lord, the Church is incarnate, in the flesh. Just as Christ was incarnate, took on flesh and was physically present for a time, so too the church manifests the presence of Christ when we physically gather together in his name. Be present.
We pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to be a part of your Church and bringing me into your family. Fill me with your love and care for my brothers and sisters. Amen.
Benediction
May the love of Jesus draw us to himself;
May the power of Jesus strengthen us in his service;
May the joy of Jesus fill our souls;
May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon us always. Amen.