Trait 8: Makes Christ known throughout the world.
Matthew 28:19-20 describes the Great Commission clearly: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
As the local church, we have an opportunity to enlist our worship teams to reach beyond our community for Christ. Music is a powerful tool in evangelism, and planning for evangelistic opportunities will help fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus imparted to each of us, maybe through a mission trip to another state or a foreign country. Whatever the case, reaching out beyond our walls, borders and continent to the world will always bless those who receive the Gospel, and will surely bless those who carry the message.
Trait 9: Does all for the glory of God.
It’s amazing how much effort we put into our worship services each week. It can be so daunting that, so many times, we forget that it’s all for the glory of God. An offering, be it great or small, is measured by the heart of the giver. So many churches have insufficient means to produce big Sunday morning extravaganzas, while other churches splurge on incredibly expensive tools and world-class events. It’s my desire to always consider that we are doing this for the glory of God — from the earliest conception of an idea to the final product. In the end, what we do for God won’t be remembered as much as our attitude of worship in the process.
In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus spoke of the widow and her offering: “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had. (NKJV)”
It doesn’t matter how large the ministry, how many people attend or how magnificent the buildings, in the end, it’s all about GOD. Our efforts, while attempting to please people — like the flowers in Isaiah 40 — will fade away.
A Prayer:
God, may You alone be praised and glorified. Help me to remember that my pursuit of musical and technological excellence is fleeting if I don’t have a personal relationship with You, and a love for Your people. As I purpose to be relevant in this modern culture, may my heart have an even greater zeal to please You. AMEN!
