Why we all worship - Part 3

In Part 1 of "Why we all worship", it was posted that we exist to worship.  In Part 2, it was stated that all people are designed for worship including children with Intellectual Disabilities.  Today, my thought-to-share, is that our God calls all of us to worship, especially Special Needs children.

As Christians and worshippers of Jesus, we are the "ecclesia".  This greek word is used in the New Testament 115 times or so.  "Ecclesia" means the "called out" ones or the "summoned" ones.  This word is almost always translated as "church" but it is not the best word.  We tend to think of a church as a building.   "Ecclesia" is not a building.  We are often asked, "What church do you attend?" but "ecclesia" has nothing to do with real estate.  "Ecclesia" is a "who".   It is a people and a purpose!  God has called His believers out to be His special people.

How have we been "called out"?  Before Jesus was born, God called specific, historical men and women of great faith to speak for Him as patriarchs and matriarchs  (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and others).   Later, God used the leaders of Israel (Moses, David, Solomon and others) to guide the faithful .  When leaders were weak in their faith, or worshipped other gods, the One True God sent prophets to their nation.  Each prophet spoke to the people and restored their faithful worship.  (Deborah, Elijah, Ruth, Daniel, Ezekiel, Joel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Esther, John the Baptist and others.)

When Jesus was born, He was, and always has been, the Truth and the Light.  As God's Son, Jesus lived among us.  For over three years, although few understood, Jesus revealed God's Truth to those around Him.  When He died on the cross and rose again, He revealed all truth to His disciples for 40 days.  The disciples would become the early leaders of the "ecclesia" (special people).    When Jesus ascended back into heaven, God the Father, sent the Holy Spirit to be with all believers that we may continue to know His Truth.  The Holy Spirit is with us until Jesus returns to take the "ecclesia" with Him to a new heaven and a new earth.  (Rev. 21:1)

What have we been "called out" to do?  I love to hear Bible stories about how people were "called out" by Jesus.  He called Zacchaeus out of a tree to go visit Zacchaeus' home.  Salvation came to Zacchaeus and his family.  Jesus "called out" the woman at the well to be truthful.  Salvation came to her and many from her town.  Jesus, "called out" Lazarus from death and tomb.  Salvation came to the family of Lazarus and to the many Jews in the crowd who witnessed this miracle.

We are all called out to meet Jesus and worship Him!  My favorite "calling out" story is when Jesus calls for the disciples to bring small children to Him.  Ironically, Jesus and the area religious leaders were in a serious discussion about marriage and divorce.  The disciples were witnessig this as parents tried to bring their children to meet Jesus.  As often is the case with adults, the disciples wanted the children to stay out of the way.  Instead, Jesus called for the children to come to Him.  Our Savior is still calling them today, isn't He? 

"Then some little children were brought to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  Jesus, however, said, 'Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these.'"  Matthew 19:13-14 (ISV)

(I have been waiting for weeks to ask this question:)

Leaders of the "ecclesia" (the special people), are you providing children of Intellectual Disabilities with a place to comfortably fellowship, worship and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

There are many disabled children in your community.  You may not see them, recognize them or even be looking for them.  They, and their families, need all three of those provisions mentioned in the question.  Won't you "call" them "out" of their homes to fellowship, worship and hear God's Word with you?  Grow the number of "ecclesia" where you worship.  Consider beginning this ministry today!  Let's discuss this.  

This is the "Worship for all" blog.  It has a heavenly ending.


Next Up:  "On second thought...."