HAVING CHURCH ON MONDAY
Most Christians suffer from a massive misunderstanding of what the Church really is. We too often think of Church as just something we go to, rather than something we are. When we begin to live "as" the Church rather than just attending "it" — we'll see a massive difference in our lives and a profound impact on the world around us.
The title of this post may be a bit confusing since Awaken Church doesn't have a Church Service on Monday, and I'm not sure of any that do; but that's my point. The truth is that we do attend "church" or go to a "church building" but if the Church is only a place or an activity on Sunday, you're missing out on the richness of the family and mission that God has invited us into. You see the Church is not just a place or event – it's the moving, and active purpose of Jesus on planet earth.
At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. – Ephesians 1:23 (MSG)
The weekly gathering of Christians on Sundays is crucial and essential for the Church to be effective Monday through Saturday. The value of the Church coming together on Sunday is huge and provides experiences like:
Unified worship of our Great God
Encountering God's presence
Encouragement from other believers
Challenging, encouraging, and training in God's Word
Pastoral leadership and coaching
Powerful agreement in prayer for your needs
Refocusing on what matters and what we're called to do
Opportunities to serve and give back
Receiving ministry from the Holy Spirit
And many more benefits...
But a primary value of the weekly gatherings is that Church Services on Sunday are a like a coaches pre-game speech to motivate, equip and release you into the next week. When we miss gathering as the church, we massively miss out on what we need to be effective that week.The great apostle Paul wrote and was reflecting on the Church when he said that the Church — us — are Christ body. But that body is not passive or indifferent; we are active. It says that the church is Christ's body that acts and moves and fills the whole earth with His presence.
If your Christianity is limited to a church service on Sunday — you're not fulfilling your purpose.
Sunday is like when The Church goes to the gym to get stretched and strengthened, but Monday through Saturday is like stepping into the octagon and doing what we've been practicing in the gym. What good is Sunday if you're not using it on Monday?As a follower of Jesus, we are now called to "be the Church" not just "attend a church." And along with that, we have been invited into accomplishing the great mission of the Church, which is extending the Kingdom of God to every corner of the earth.
Having Church on Monday means:
Being open and authentic about your love for God
Following the principles in the Bible in everyday life
Doing our best to love everyone we meet or work with like Jesus does
Going the extra mile for the people and the work that you're involved with
Telling people as often as you can about how Jesus has changed your life
Helping the hurting and broken people around you
Praying for God's will to be done and kingdom to expand in your city
Showing other new believers how to follow Jesus
Inviting people in your world to join you at your Church. (Which if you don't have a Church you are currently a part of, you are welcome to join me at C3 Church, San Diego, locally or online at http://awakenchurch.com/)
Praying that the Holy Spirit would empower the people of C3 Church and every other Church represented, with greater unity as a church community and greater power to reach the people in our communities with the good news about Jesus.
Let's gather on Sunday, but let's not limit The Church to Sunday.
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