This will be the final installment of our Showing Christ in our Gathering series. Leading up before this has been: What is the Church and Why do we Gather?, Showing Christ Before We’re Gathered, and Showing Christ While We’re Gathered.
We will now take a quick look at what showing Christ after we’re gathered would look like. To guide us, Hebrews and James have some words pertaining to the gathering of the church, one of warning and one of motivation:
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? -James 2:1-5
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:24-25
So, after the benediction is given and the service is concluded, what does showing Christ to others look like? With these scriptures in mind, let’s consider:
Who We Talk With – Rather than immediately engaging with our usual friends, or showing partiality to someone for unspiritual reasons, we might talk with those around us, especially if they are new or someone with whom you’re not very familiar. We are here to show Christ, as his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), it’s helpful to remember, we are on mission. Anyone standing alone is an emergency-show Christ to them!
What We Talk About – Having just heard the Word of God expounded to us, sharing with others what challenged us or filled our hearts with joy and asking if they had similar or different thoughts is a wonderful way to show Christ. As mentioned in Hebrews, we are to stir one another to love and to good works, we help each other along the path that God has laid out before us. And not neglecting to meet, if we can, we invite them to meet with us for coffee or to our homes. Christians live together. Of course, we don’t want to neglect the deep friendships you’ve formed through the years, these are certainly gifts from God. The thing is, we can still catch them hopefully, if they’re still hanging around too, busy showing Christ to others!
Prayer – As we share and talk with others, it’s a perfect opportunity to pray with one another. I confess, there are not many things more beautiful than looking around after a service and seeing multiple people praying together! Praying one-on-one with another Christian is a vital means of grace to strengthen our faith, one we can find ourselves neglecting too often.
Of course, there are so many other ways we might show Christ, and so many factors which shape any given interaction. As stated at the beginning, these ideas here are put forth as food-for-thought, and a challenge for us to consider whether we are intentional in how we show Christ to others in out gathering.
Having reviewed what showing Christ to others might look like before, during, and after worship services, I have certainly been challenged, but I can’t help but be stirred up with how wonderful a gift Christ’s church is! I marvel at how God has given us the church and how he is building us together into his temple. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of Grace Covenant Church causing us to be zealous for showing Christ and proclaiming his gospel to all those around us!
