The Meaning of Worship

This week at C3, we will be employing a very unorthodox venue for worship. If I were to say nothing else, that might pique your interest just enough to make you come.

So, when you come, please don't let your religious background get in the way of truth. Many in the church have misconceptions of what worship is. So what is it? The word "worship" is rooted by the word "worth." That is, ascribing worth to something -- that which is the object of our worship!

So, how do you define it? Worship can best be defined as the Christian community's awe-filled response to 1) who God is, 2) what He has done for man in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and 3) what He continues to do through the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit. When you step back, you see the Trinity in the definition.

What that definition does not do is specify location or method. This helps us to see that there are two kinds of worship: 1) personal and 2) corporate.

Personal worship should happen constantly throughout each day. As we see God's handiwork of creation, as we witness His divine protection, guidance, answered prayers, power, etc., the child of God pauses to take it all in - to marvel at his Heavenly Father.

Corporate worship is the assembling of the body of Christ to respond corporately as THE BODY to the glory of God and His power and majesty! Corporate worship is , by its very nature, corporate - as opposed to individual. An individual view of corporate worship breeds "consumerism," where individuals attend weekly worship service to see what they can get out of the songs or sermon. Corporate worship builds unity (as we sing, pray, study and fellowship), accountability, encouragement, strength, edification, equipping for service, and evangelistic zeal.

This week will be unique indeed. It will help us to experience what true spiritual community is all about. God's people are referred to in the Bible as a body, a building, an army, a bride and a family.

Let's do a family reunion this Sunday!! See you there, and pull up a chair to the Lord's Supper table!

Randy

Who is my Neighbor?

As we continue our study in "Relationships" at C3, I am excited about this Sunday's message grounded in Romans 13:8-14 entitled, "My Relationship to my Neighbors."

I am then drawn to the question asked by an expert in the Law, who asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" The parable that Jesus gives in response to that question is perhaps one of the most popular even today...the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

To understand the impact of Jesus' answer, one needs to understand the racism of Jesus' day. There was such a disdain between Jews and Samaritans that they did not even associate with one another. The first "neighbor" that happened by was a priest. He passed by on the other side. The second "neighbor" that happened by was a Levite. He, too, passed by on the other side. Both of these men were "pillars" of their community. They were deeply religious. They were very respected. They were Jewish, as was the man in need. They certainly would be the first to help. Not so.

The third neighbor that happened by was, of all people, a Samaritan. Samaritans hated Jews. Surely he would not only pass by but might even have celebrated the dire condition of the Jewish man in the ditch. But instead, we see that this Samaritan not only approached the man, he bandaged his wounds, he carried him to the inn and he paid for his care. Oh, the love that can be shown regardless of the person.

God calls all of us to love our neighbor as ourself. He calls us to approach our neighbor, to offer them the eternal healing found only in Jesus Christ, to carry them to a local body called the church and to help strengthen them in the knowledge and service of the Lord.

Who is your neighbor? See you Sunday!

Randy