Day 2
In day 2 of my 10 blog focus, I’d like to highlight one article I read this morning that I thought made a very important point, not just for worship leaders, but all church leaders. Read it so you can better understand the context of what I’m about to say.
The 4 questions that Rich asks are very important ones for us all to ask, but not to ask in a way that stirs up provocation only. We need conviction and understanding for why we do the things we do in our churches. If there aren’t good reasons why should we do them?
I was tempted to address all the questions, but I’ll do the one I believe is so important for people to ask:
Do we have to have a Sunday service?
It’s a question I’ve asked before (along with many other Christians I’m sure). What exactly is special about the day Sunday? Is it wrong to have a service on a Monday? The answer is of course no; it’s not wrong.
But what if we’re looking at it from the wrong angle? I’m wondering if people’s view of Sunday is simply built on a wrong view of the church in general. Usually when people think of the word “church” they think of the day Sunday, and whatever service they go to (or skip). Most nominal Christian Americans don’t view the Church as the People of God. They probably view “church” as a religious, brick-and-mortar entity with an address (some containing a cemetery).
So if we first help people understand how to properly define the word “church”, then we can talk about the reason for Sunday. And the answer is quite simple.
In the old order of things, God’s people rested on the 7th day (the Sabbath) , because God rested on the 7th day after his work (Genesis).
Christ then came to be the point, or telos, of the law (Romans 10:4). In so doing, Christ established a new order of things (the new covenant) where we have ceased from our dead, empty labors.
Today, in this new world, good works come after rest. As Christians we trust in the finished work of Jesus. Jesus, when he died, finished his work. And now, by faith, His rest is ours. It’s only out of that rest then that we do the good works that were prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10).
SO we start with Jesus. Everything starts with him. Even our week.
Jesus Rose From the Dead… on a Sunday
Now, as the People of God gather together (to be the church), they acknowledge their need for Jesus in the gospel, and cease from their dead works – starting their week off with the right foot. For thousands of years, since that first Resurrection Sunday, Christians have believed this. Sunday is the Lord’s day. We give the first-fruits of our week to Him.
Looks like Chris Vacher’s church did a series on exactly this subject. Excellent!
A few other articles from the ten blogs worth reading:
- Don’t be a reluctant leader. Learn why conviction matters in this article.
- Don’t forget where your citizenship is.