Worship on Mission // Micah

I used to subconsciously think dedicated Christ-Followers fit into two categories: those who were focused on worship and those whose sights were set on mission, as if worship and mission were two disconnected acts. My naivety began to be undone by the Word and personally experiencing a pitfall in this line of thinking. Two powerful interconnected truths have emerged...

Worship Fuels Mission
Most believers know that unrepentant sin depletes the soul and derails mission. The harder thing to wrap the head around is the reality that seeking to sustain good works in our own strength will eventually have a similar effect. A car so bent on doing its job, driving things forward, that it refuses to stop and be refueled will eventually be rendered useless. In similar fashion is the mission-centered person who neglects the practice of worship. How do we "not grow weary in well doing?" One of the key realities I have come to see is the correlation between worship and the perpetuating of mission. Worship provides octane and is a key ingredient of the fuel needed in the gas tank of anyone seeking to sustain a life on mission. Experience is teaching me that while we are never beyond the rescuing hand of our Savior, it is better to run with a continually gassed up tank.

Worship Fills Mission
Worship provides the core content in evangelistic outreach. There is a reason the essence of Christ message, the gospel, is called "good news." Yes, the good news, "through faith in Christ we are graciously afforded right relationship with God forever" comes on the tail of the bad news, "our sin has separated us from Christ and will do so eternally if not pardoned by God". The bad news, however, only enhances the good news, which makes up the core content of our worship and outreach. An evangelism that is worship becomes a "Dude, you won't believe how good Jesus is! You have to let me tell you about him!" The proclamation to the lost is more like a simultaneously vertical and horizontal worship service.

May we be a people that makes known to God our thanks and declares to others His goodness, taking Worship On Mission.

“All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! (vertical) They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom." (horizontal) Psalm 145:10-12

- Micah McElveen

Good Gossip // Micah

Core to our humanhood is a longing to know and make known. Within us lies an undeniable urge to repeat things. "Did you know?" "Have you heard?" are common phrases in any language. From headlines to chat rooms, from spies to the common gossip, humans crave the receiving and giving of information deemed note worthy. Entire industries and distinct human behavior emanate from this intrinsic longing. The mediums of speech, writing and gesture are tools we use to convey what we have come to know. This, indeed, is no accident as our Creator intended that His creation would resound His message.

Unfortunately, since the fall, this natural inclination designed for pure purposes has been tainted, resulting in an intoxicating temptation to profit at the cost of others. Gossip is a prime example. We tear down and defame other image bearers of Christ as we spread toxic morsels, words we would not share in their presence. Our gossip often results in character assassination, the death of one's reputation. It is most sad to see a tool created for good perverted and deployed for such evil.

We, however, can act counter-culturally and commit to serving as amplifiers of the Word of God. We can become "good gossips", who focus on "spurring one another on to love and good works"(Heb. 10:24), spreading the "Good News" of our Savior, and propagating rumors of His wonder!
 

"If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile." James 1:26

"One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts... They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness." Psalm 145:4&6

"My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever." Psalm 145:21

- Micah McElveen

Ashamed of the Gospel // Micah

The very notion of embracing one's need for the gospel can cause one to blush. But why? There are many reasons, but four common thought groups include: The "good group" who say, "Me and my tribe are basically good and have done nothing that requires pardon". Then there is the "karma group," which professes, "We fail but can right our wrongs by our own good works". The "party group" proclaims, "We love our sin and shun the thought of turning from it to Christ". Lastly, the "inclusive group" declares, "It is narrow-minded and offensive to say there is 'one way' for man to be made right with God".

For all, affiliating with the gospel can feel like an admission of weakness and alignment with shame. Pre-conversion, Paul was an adamant member of several of the mentioned tribes, but post-conversion he was so enamored with Jesus, so caught up in the wonder of the cross and so undone by the power of the resurrection that he did not care what haters had to say. Along with others he participated in unabashed apologetics proclaiming sole allegiance to the gospel...
 

Romans 1:16a "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." -Apostle Paul

Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name [than Jesus] under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." -Apostle Peter

John 14:6 "Jesus replied, I am The Way, The Truth, The Life, no man comes to the Father except by Me." -Jesus, God In The Flesh

- Micah McElveen