A different kind of āstreet serviceā
Hebrews 13: God takes particular pleasure in acts of worshipā¦that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
Weāre not sure who is the writer of Hebrews, but this chapter (and not just the Timothy, Italy, and prison references) feels a whole lot like Paulās writings. As he closes the letter, as Paul does, the writer tosses in a lot of one line instructions. As a reader, what I get out of a chapter like this depends a lot on whatās happening in my life right now. Tomorrow I might read it again and have a different āone-linerā jump out at me. Anyway, the instruction to take our faith out of the church and into the streets stands out to me. Christians are to be generous people who not only respond to needs when weāre confronted with them, but who actively go out and seek those in need that we might minister to them in Christās name. I tend to think of āworshipā as what takes place on Sunday mornings inside the church building. In this passage Iām reminded that God really likes it when I make my āsacrificesā (an Old Testament style of worship) outside the church building and into my everyday life; at home, at work, and out in the general public. In-church worship is important, a vital part of living in Christ. Out-of-church worship is just as important as I take Jesus in practical ways to those āout there.ā
Take Away: Worship inside the church and service outside the church are both vital parts of Christianity.