Last Sunday morning we discussed “Putting Christ Back in Our Worship.”  One thing that was not addressed is the degree to which the problem implied by the title of this lesson exists.  Is Christ truly absent from worship services in churches around the country?  More to the point, is he absent from your worship? Ask yourself…

• Do I sing praises with feeling and understanding in my heart?
• Am I engaged in the corporate prayers of the assembly?
• Do I examine myself during the Lord’s Supper?  Am I really participating in a memorial?
• Do I actively listen to the sermon, taking as much from it as I can?
• Am I giving generously and cheerfully?

The second part in this short series, “Putting Christ Back in the Church,” was also built on an assumption that is perhaps even more dramatic than the first–that it is possible for Christ to be outside of some churches.  But we know it is possible.  Jesus stood outside the door of the church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:20); he could be standing outside our door too.

To guard against this potentially destructive scenario, we discussed the form and function of the church, which is revealed in Ephesians 4:15: “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”  Speaking the truth in love will result in growth into Christ.  This, then, is the secret to keeping Christ in our churches.

Putting Christ’s truth back in the church speaks to the proper form. The truth provides a framework for the church and sets it on the right path.  Putting Christ’s love back in the church speaks to the proper function. Every act of the church ought to be motivated by God’s love.

This week, try to work at giving Christ a preeminent place in your life.  Take this principle beyond your worship and your church.  Let Christ permeate everything you do and see how it will bless you.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17).