The Sunday Morning Missionary Part 2

Before the Singing Starts

In our hearts we know it, worship is more than singing together. But our language and actions often betray the fact that we categorize worship to those moments between the first and last note of music of the “worship set.” But, if the entire Sunday morning gathering is to be worship, we must reinforce how we act with what we know. Before the singing starts, Sunday mornings provide ample opportunity for the whole body of Christ, to honor Him. 

1 Peter 4:7-10 (ESV)
⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and
sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins.
⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,
as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Peter begins this instruction with a sense of urgency. The end of all things is near (1 Pet 4:7), this needs to be done now, pay attention, listen up, let’s get busy doing this stuff, it is of vital importance. Above all, do these things. These are of primary concern for God’s people to be about doing. This urgency gives way to a list of instructions that move quickly from focusing on ourselves, to looking outward at how we interact with each other.

These actions and the attitudes that direct them shouldn’t be limited to Sunday morning, but since Sunday morning is an intentional time for Jesus’ people to gather, they definitely shouldn’t be absent either. But this doesn’t happen by accident. Not only do we need to hear the teaching, we need to understand and intentionally apply it. We must determine to attend church not like we shop at Wal-Mart, but as agents of God’s mission. We must adopt a missional attitude even in this. So, as the Gospel is proclaimed through the songs, sermon, and observance of the sacraments, it is further exemplified through each of us.  This demands that attendance and participation are made a priority, not just for what we can get out of it, but to love one another, offer hospitality, and serve one another as God has supernaturally enabled.  

In 1 Peter 4:10, Peter calls believers to do these things “as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” We have received God’s grace in Jesus, and now we are also conduits of that grace. You and I, believer, wield God’s grace in tangible ways. When we are together and we take time to serve and love one another, we are bestowing God’s unmerited goodness (grace) on those we love and serve. When we smile and welcome someone we don’t know, or take time to have a conversation with a stranger, we are allowing that person to experience God’s grace not just in theory but literally.

Sunday Morning Missionaries show up early, look for ways to serve others, pray for others, welcome others, and encourage others to see the beauty of our Creator and Savior for that one singular purpose, to worship and lead others to worship our one true living God.  It’s here that worshipping God through our actions and interactions becomes exponential. As we worship, by loving, serving, and acting hospitably, we are not only enabling people to experience God’s grace. We are also leading them to respond in worship. As we worship by leading others to worship, God’s glory is magnified. It’s like compounding interest, and He deserves every ounce of adoration and awe.