Word On Worship – January 15, 2012

January 15, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

REACH Series: REACH IN and Disciple from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

The second in our REACH Series, REACH IN and Disciple. How do we as church look to equip other members of our church complete the work God has given each one of us to do? A practical look at how we can effectively disciple and be discipled in the Body of Christ.


Word On Worship – January 15, 2012        Download / Print

Colossians 1:28-29
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

When we were growing up we heard those familiar words from our mothers, “you are what you eat!” That saying is not only true for our physical bodies, but it is true of our spiritual bodies as well. Our generation is the consumer generation. We are always looking for bigger and better.  The consumer is always right has been the motto of business. Sadly, the Church has taken this to heart and has become experts at reproducing consumer Christians who appear sweet and nice, but have never been formed into the life of Christ.

Consumer discipleship really is an oxymoron, but it is a phrase that more than adequately describes the path of many in their spiritual life. We have become a people who choose to follow Jesus as long as it does not interfere with our ability to acquire. We go about the business of doing “right things” in the wrong way. For a generation, the Church has taught we can serve Christ and still have it our way. Sermons, worship services, children’s programs and even the length of services are designed around the demands of the consumer. The church has conformed to the idea the customer is right, and if we do not become relevant to people then they will go some where else.

The Bible calls us to be servants and followers of Jesus Christ. Because He gave us His all on the cross at Calvary, we respond by giving Him our all. We are to take up our cross and follow Him — and when we serve we submit to Him. Worship is not about us. Sermon’s are not about us. Music is not about us. The story is God’s story not ours. According to Scripture we are attached to God by prepositions: He is in us, with us, for us, doing things to us. We are not the subject or the verb; we are the object.

We need to return to a model of discipleship where disciples go to church to serve, to contribute to others and to build up the Body of Christ in unity and faith in the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13). The life of Christ should be lived in us daily to the glory of God. It is when we serve others that God meets our needs. It is a kingdom perspective which buries personal tastes, slights, oversights and the mistakes of others under the blanket of Christ’s love for His Church. Because it cost Him everything, we are willing to give everything for those the Lord came to save. When we become that kind of disciple, we become like our teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ.

What do you think?