This past Sunday we had one of those services where we deliberately don’t do all the extra stuff like sound systems, videos, welcome teams, ushers, Powerpoint, lights, etc. Just someone on a guitar leading worship, and someone preaching through a small speaker.
The point is: Do we need all the extra stuff? Why can’t we do it this way every time? The answer: Because God has gifted each one of us uniquely to add something to his church. Through our service we “adorn” the Gospel, making it “attractive” relevant to the culture we are in.
Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. (…so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.) 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. (Titus 2 verse 9&10)
“Adorn” here carries the meaning of “cosmetics”. It means to beautify, make attractive, bring to order. Cosmetics are applied to “make attractive – to attract attention to. Not attention to the cosmetic, but to the person. The church is called Jesus’ Bride.
…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5v25-27)
As we all do with our gifts what it says on the overhead in my picture (1 Peter 4v10), we “adorn” the gospel to attract seekers to the beauty of Jesus.
In 1 Chronicles 22v 5 we get an Old Testament view of the passion for Gods house that reveals Him to our world:
David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death…
Wherever you are, whatever your gifts, use them in some service in your church to adorn the Gospel of God your Saviour…
Sure, “easyChurch”, like EasyJet, will get you to your destination… but there’s more to life (and church) than that! You have something to add to make the Gospel and church attractive…
Wolfi's View from London 