Wake up on Sunday morning, stroll into church, offer up a few hello’s and brief conversations. You give a little money during the offering. You stare at the pastor during service or look around the church, sometimes listening to the sermon, but also planing your Sunday in your head. Then the sermon ends, you say a few goodbye’s and you walk out to your car. Maybe a few things stick with you. Maybe you feel good about having gone to church and feel a sense of accomplishment, having earlier wanted to sleep in. Maybe you just spent the last hour thinking of what you want to do after church and 5 seconds out the door you don’t give God, the Bible, or Church a second thought until the next Sunday morning alarm goes off.
Maybe you feel this example never happens in your life. Maybe if you really dig deep and think, this may have described, in some ways, a few occasions in your life, or maybe it’s a regular occurrence. It’s easy to get busy and wrapped up in every day life. Our culture is fast-paced and demanding, but do we give enough thoughts to the demands and calling of our Lord Jesus Christ and His mission of His Church? We should, and we should first and foremost!
God calls us, His Church, to share the Gospel message. “God who calls you into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10). “The knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1).
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). “Live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope at your calling-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is about all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:1-6).
The calling, the purpose, the faith is given to us in Holy Scripture. This message is to be presented for all through the Church, His Church, for Jesus said, “and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matt. 16:18). This rock is the revelation from Heaven, from God the Father, written in Holy Scripture through the Holy Spirit, for the Church built by Jesus Christ to preach this message for all to believe.
Maybe something to consider next time the alarm clock goes off for Church.
