We’ve been looking this week at the idea of Christians living their Christian lives out among non-believers, rather than focusing merely on what’s done inside the four walls of the church building. It’s the idea of being the salt of the world. Salt has to get out of the salt shaker to do any good.
It’s the concept of being the light of the world. Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) We do the things out in the world, not cloistered away among ourselves. Peter said, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12) To some degree, our good lives have to be lived among the pagans, in a way that they can see our good deeds. Not doing good deeds to get glory from men, but doing good deeds to bring glory to God.
In Acts 17, after Paul had spent time teaching in Thessalonica, some Jews came looking for him. They grabbed one Christian and dragged him before the authorities saying, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” (Acts 17:6) I think it’s safe to say that the Jews weren’t concerned about what the Christians were doing somewhere off in their church buildings. No, the accusation was “they’re turning the world upside down.” These Christians were living lives that were changing those around them, affecting their society and changing it forever.
Again, our times of worship are important. But they can’t be the main focus of our lives as Christians.
Now you’re getting radical. You mean to tell me that church is not something I go to for an hour or two on Sunday but a way of being throughout my week? :-)
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Tim stated in his article:
“Again, our times of worship are important. But they can’t be the main focus of our lives as Christians.”
Clayton responds:
This assumption just amazes me Tim. When I see it and we all see it a lot I’m thinking where does this thought even come from. It isn’t a New Covenant Concept. If it is I have not read of it being taught in the New Testament.
What we do see taught concerning worship is in Romans 12
Romans 12 (New American Standard Bible)
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
I’m not opposed to traditions and customs but it seems we verge on turning this one into Law. It is obvious to me that we continued the traditions of the Catholics for an assembled Sunday Worship both in form and function. If not where did we get it? We don’t get it from the teachings of our Lord nor any of the Apostles.
I’m thinking the reformers and those that attempted to restore New Testament Christianity missed it.
What say ye on this matter?
Clayton McCool
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I’ve really liked your last two posts, Tim. It’s everyday living on the job and at home that is the most effective. I thought I’d share a quote with you from a Max Lucado calendar from several years ago: “If we ever get to the point where our goal is to have people say, ‘What a wonderful person,’ we’re missing the mark. Instead, our goal is to have people say, ‘What a wonderful God this person serves.’ Our task is to have people say, ‘Tell me about your God,’ and point people to him.” It seemed to go well with your post today.
Clay,
I did a series of posts a few years back, focused on this question of weekly assemblies. The first post was this one: http://www.timothyarcher.com/kitchen/?p=39
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim
I must live under a rock! LOL
I had no idea you or few if anyone else had come to these conclusions.
Now I don’t feel so radical after reading your comments. You have restored my faith in our brotherhood. I was REALLY concerned that we had completely left the scriptures and the use of any common sense when reading them. Thank you.
Grace and peace Clayton