Think Spot

Monday Think Spot10 February 2014

One of the saddest things I hear with increasing frequency is when a Christian says they are not longer interested in going to their church and that they can find a way to worship God without the need to be with other believers one day a week. That they can find plenty of fellowship with other Christians without the need to attend their church on a Sunday. However that is against all that Jesus and the early church said and taught about being involved in a local church if you are able to. It is one of the prime ways our enemy satan gets to those who are Christian Disciples - to get them separated from their local church. Just as a lion or a wolf separate a sheep from the flock, so as to make it easier to devour.

It is also extreme selfishness to remove yourself from your local church. Selfish in that you are wanting all the benefits of being a Christian without the commitment it takes to the local church. Where better to serve others than in your local church? Where better to give to others your time, your gifts, your money than your local church? It is a hallmark of 21st century materialism to say I am leaving the church because I am not getting what I want out of it.

Now I am not saying that your church is perfect. No church is perfect just as no church is totally imperfect. But as a Christian you need to be plugged into your church. Not always to receive what you can but also to give where you can. Give & serve with your time, your gifts, your talents and with your money.

Jesus loves the church. The universal church as well as your local church. Your church, where you attend, is loved by Jesus. It is to be loved by you – warts and all. So when you are tempted to leave the church where you attend, be tempted to be more committed to it. The writer of Hebrews put it like this almost 2000 years ago: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in fact some are doing, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

If you are going to church simply for what you can get out of it, you are going to church for the wrong reason. You are to assemble with other Christians in order to encourage, serve and to love them. You cannot do that if you do not attend! Your local community is looking at the church and seeing how they love, work, serve, care and encourage each other and them! If you are not part of a church, you can’t do that with other believers in that church – your church.

One final thought is this: let us not take for granted our freedom to worship and attend our churches... Many around the world are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus and have to meet in secret to worship God and meet other Christians... ~~ Have a great week and celebrate Jesus with your church!

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