`What is Christian Worship?’ Series: How does worship form our mission and evangelism?
Matthew 18 verses 19-20/Matthew 28 verses 16-20
You may (or may not) be familiar with The Clash song “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” As Christians we are faced with the same question (though in a different context) – should our worship be focused on what we do in a church building, or should we go and worship God in our place of work, homes and local community?
To help with this week’s question, we are encouraged to look at 2 Bible passages:
READ Matthew 18 verses 19-20
Are these verses a blanket promise that everything we ask for in prayer will be granted?
How might the words of verse 20 have been an encouragement to those first Christians? And to us today?
READ Matthew 28 verses 16-20
Mountains are significant in Matthew’s Gospel: the mount of the SERMON reveals the lifestyle Jesus requires of his followers; the mount of the TRANSFIGURATION reveals who Jesus is; the mount of the GREAT COMMISSION outlines Jesus’ worldwide mission. The disciples are to become the disciplers.
Q. What do you think is involved in being a disciple of Jesus?
The theme in all four gospels is that the baton has been passed from the Master to the disciples. The power of the risen Christ is theirs and they have been given his commandment – to go and make disciples. And they have been promised that nothing can rob them of his presence.
Q. Do you see our church as a community – and yourself as an individual – in this role today?
It was not until the disciples had personally met with the risen Christ that they had the passion to go and tell others.
Q. Does our church – and you as an individual – have that same passion?
The Great Commission springs from worship (9, 17). “Evangelism springs from worship. It is no individual enterprise. It flows from a Christianity where worship is vital.” (Michael Green)
Q. Does our worship, Sunday by Sunday, inspire us to evangelism?
Evangelism has been said to be the “Cinderella at the Christian ball.”
Q. Do you accept this criticism and, if so, how might we go about changing things?
The Great Commission is the counterpart of the commandment to love God and neighbour. Without this, our evangelism will be cold and hard; it will alienate and not attract. It will not echo heaven where love is the universal language.
Q. Could this be the reason why our evangelism is so ineffective?
The Great Commission includes the baptism and careful discipling of new believers. How important is this?
Most of us will say “I am not an evangelist” but how might we, in our lives day by day, bear witness to our Christian faith? If we are in the world of work, how difficult is it to make a Christian stand? If we are retired, what opportunities might come our way to make a Christian stand?
Q. If you were asked to be part of our church’s “Mission and Evangelism” group, what would you be able to offer/suggest as to how we might reach the people of Ashtead?
PRAYER
Pray for those who are involved in our church services week by week that our worship (in its various forms) may encourage us to mission and evangelism.
Pray that God will call out people from our congregations to be evangelists.
It is hoped to offer an initiative “Hope Explored” in the New Year. A 3 session course looking at the question of “Hope” and what the Christian faith has to offer. Pray for this course; pray for people to come along, both church members and non-church members.
Q. Are there people you could invite?
Further comments to aid discussion:
You may (or may not) be familiar with The Clash song “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” As Christians we are faced with the same question (though in a different context) – should our worship be focused on what we do in a church building, or should we go and worship God in our place of work, homes and local community?
The Bible is quite clear – both aspects of worship are vital. We need to GATHER around praise, intercession, teaching and sacrament, and we need to SCATTER to the frontline where we can meet people who don’t follow Jesus. We need to glorify God by our activities, actions and words (Hebrews 13: 15-16).
Are these verses a blanket promise that everything we ask for in prayer will be granted?
This promise of Jesus needs to be seen in context – Jesus has been talking about the handling of disagreements in the church (they do happen!). Such things need to be bathed in prayer. Confidentiality must be preserved, but people need to be praying for those involved in what is in essence a spiritual battle. So what is being promised here is that prayer offered for reconciliation is part of God’s will and will not fall on deaf ears.
How might the words of verse 20 have been an encouragement to those first Christians? And to us today?
Those first (Jewish) Christians would have faced strong opposition from the powerful synagogues and it would have been easy to get discouraged. It was said that “when 10 people sit together and occupy themselves with the Torah, the shekinah abides among them.” God’s glory (shekinah) was present when Jews studied and obeyed his Word. Jesus replaced the Torah with himself so when we gather in his name he is here among us (Matthew 28: 20). What a wonderful promise – claim it as you meet today!
The Great Commission includes the baptism and careful discipling of new believers. How important is this?
We must never be satisfied with a hasty profession of faith. We are called not to evoke decisions but to make disciples. This has never been – and never will be – an easy task. We must never become a “cosy club” for the like-minded. We are called to lead people to become disciples of Christ.