The Three Fold Expression of our church - Part Two

This is a continuation of the blog last Wednesday (8-2-23).  As we revealed last week, we are one body as a church with many members.  We are to be involved in one another's lives.  What are the levels of involvement as a faithful follower of Christ in His local church?

Three are three and we will look at all three of these in three different weeks (or longer).  This is the lifeblood of church life.  

1. Worship

2. Sunday School (small groups)

3. Discipleship groups (even smaller groups)

Why these three?  We see them in the life of Jesus.

You can't read the Gospels long without realizing Jesus would draw a crowd.  He would interact with them, us the opportunity to teach, or to perform a miracle of feeding them or healing someone.  But then He would leave the crowd for the crowd alone was not his purpose of ministry.

"The crowd" for a church is the public worship services (every how many your church has). It is there the main focus is the worship of God in Spirit and Truth centered around the proclamation of the Word of God to the body from its ordained, called of God to that church, Shepherd and Pastor. Oh, what a moment in the life of that church.

His people gathered.  Just like a mother at Thanksgiving, God is pleased when His people gather.  But also like that same Mother, she is not happy when she detects some of the family don't really want to be there or there is friction in the room. 

Yes, there are days I go to church to be obedient.  And that is fine.  I don't run my life by feelings and if my "feeler" don't want to go, that is ok as long as I don't let my "feeler" dictate.  Gathering with the family of God is a privilege, but also a responsibility I have to God and others in the body.  In obedience to God and love for others, I go.  

One of the weekly habits I have is to attend the weekly Pastor's Conference in my local Association.  I actually preached one Monday on "Why I attend Pastor's Conference."  The answer...its not always because I need it, but someone else might need to be there.  

We live in such a self-centered culture (and my flesh enjoys that and feels that is right) that we even view the Worship services as all about us.  Have you thought about how your presence at the worship service is an encouragement to others?  Everybody is encouraged when there is good attendance in worship instead of just two-or-three.  

One of the most selfish things you can do is stay home from the gathered expression of worship.  It's not all about you.  Now there are times we are not able to go, but far too many times that same excuse we use not to attend worship doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to work, a family gathering, a sporting event, or a social event we want to attend.  So how in God's name can we believe we can use that excuse legitimately with God and the people we are in covenant within a church?

One last word...online worship on a regular basis does not cut it either.  I thank God for the opportunity of online worship for those who are shut-ins, sick, away, and for those who missed a service.  But for a person to use online worship as a substitute for active, in-person participation is simply not the expression God intends for you to use to worship Him.