But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25, NIV)
Every Sunday as we come together for worship at our church, we seem to experience this. The songs, the Scriptures chosen, the prophetic words delivered, and the sermon all seem to be coordinated. They are – but not usually by the staff. It is not human cleverness or coordination, it’s the prophetic movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst. It is God speaking his directive word to us. A new member of the church recently said to me several times (and one of the other pastors, too): “God is really here! I can feel him!” That’s exactly what Paul described would happen when the Spirit moves in church.
Isn’t that wonderful? I’m very happy that God is here. But I’m not content with that. I want to take God there! Instead of waiting for folks to come to us to find God – I want us to take God to them and make the introduction. Where is “there?” There might be your workplace, or school, or where you go to have fun. Remember, Jesus said “Go…”
That’s being the church. We’ve been using that phrase a lot lately: Be the Church. We never planned on a slogan…it just kind of happened.
You see, the church isn’t a building. It’s not an organization. It’s not a non-profit. It’s a group of people God has brought together for his purposes (that’s what the Greek word means). And because you are the church and I am the church, we’re not bound to a place – or a certain time on Sunday mornings. Wherever you go, the church goes with you!
To emphasize this – New Life Church has something for you this Sunday. We have New Life t-shirts for everyone (but make sure you show up as we have a limited number to give away). Take one, wear it, and go be the church. Remind yourself who you are. You are the church.
Next week, we’ll put this into practice as we go to the Sanger Sellabration – with our New Life shirts – and bless the community. We’re going to be the church. We’re going to take God to them…
