The church often speaks of worship and the Great Commission as though they belong in separate categories. We can quickly fall into the trap of believing that worship is what we do on Sunday mornings, and the Great Commission is what our missionary partners do overseas. I would like us to settle into the reality that worship and outreach are inseparable expressions of love for God. As your worship director, one of my biggest passions is to be part of the transformative work of God as He shapes us into holistic worshippers of Him.
David Foster Wallace is credited with saying: “There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” We don’t suddenly worship the Lord when we walk into a sanctuary or turn on a Christian album. We’ve been transfixed on something long before the service time. Worship is defined by what we value. Whatever is our priority is what we move towards. And what we move towards, we worship. I’m a big believer in differentiating the concepts of “praise” and “worship”. Praise is a verb; worship is a way of life.
I would like us to settle into the reality that worship and outreach are inseparable expressions of love for God.
So what does worship have to do with the Great Commission? Thank you for asking; I’d love to tell you.
Jesus does not separate the two – He actually binds them together multiple times. He references the commands in Deuteronomy in Matthew 22:
35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Praise is a verb; worship is a way of life.
Here it is again in Luke 10:
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The man continues on to ask the age-old question: “Who is my neighbor?”, at which point we hear the powerful parable of the Good Samaritan. Our whole-hearted love for God should transform our love and perspective of the people around us. We believe that the love of God is all-encompassing, and so we seek to see it lived out in every corner of our own lives as well as the world at large.
The Great Commission, then, is not separate from worship, but is one of worship’s fullest expressions.
As we continue in our missions-focused month of May, my prayer is that God would continue to expand our understanding of worship beyond songs and services and into every corner of our lives. A heart transformed by the love of God cannot help but carry that love outward.
On Sunday, June 28th, at 7:00pm, we invite you to join us for our Summer Night of Worship, where we will spend intentional time praising the Lord and praying for the work He is doing in us and through us. Bring your friends and family and be open to where the Lord may be calling you to live out worship in your everyday lives.
In the meantime, here’s a closing prayer for us:
Lord, we thank you for your love and kindness.
May you continue to shape us into people
who love you fully,
love others deeply,
and joyfully participate
in your Kingdom work
here on earth.
Amen.
