S188P3 – Acts of worship: caring for the Church

Mt. 25:37-40

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”  And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

He was bored and looking for something to do so he called one of his friends from church.  His friend told him of a worship service going on that night across town.  He grabbed his things and left the house because praising God felt like the right kind of place to be that night.  When he arrived, he was asked to help set up some tables and chairs in the basement by the kitchen.  As he was getting things together, he became a little confused.  There were people in the kitchen cooking and appearing to prepare to serve a meal.  He asked his friend where the worship service would be that night and was told it would be right there.  That night’s worship was not about singing or pianos or guitars.  That night’s worship was about serving a meal to the Church, the body of Christ, and meeting a critical need.

Caring for the Church is an act of worship to God for at least two reasons.  First, the Church is a collection of his children.  He cares for them like a perfect Father would care for them.  When we fill that role and provide a need, we are letting God work through us.  We become his hands and feet and let his heart accomplish his will through our bodies.  Second, the Church is also the body of Christ.  The same way we sin against him when we sin against the body, we also worship him when we care for the body.  To respect and honor one another, to serve one another, to hold one another in high esteem is to do all of those things to Christ.  That is an act of worship because we bow down to serve him through his people.  It really is just about allowing ourselves to be a vessel, a tool, an avenue for God to work and glorify himself.

The next time we are faced with an opportunity to help a brother or sister in need, let us remember what that opportunity actually is.  It is a chance to worship the living God by honoring the members of his body.  In fact, perhaps this is not a matter of waiting for a chance to worship.  Perhaps the Father would like us to seek out these opportunities to give him glory.  Let us consider making a renewed commitment to worship God through our service to the body not as the chance happens to arise but by seeking out this service.  Father, give us eyes that see the opportunities to worship You which lie before us, and give us hearts that chase after the privilege of worshiping You through service to your Church.