Help Them See What They Are Missing Out On 

Yesterday was my first day back at Church in a long time, probably since the first of February. It was very sweet to be in the house of the Lord, and feel His presence. You really are ministered to by the spirit of other believers. If you’ve never felt that before, you need to seek it. I met my brother’s Pastor for the first time a number of years ago. He shook my hand, and then he told me, “Your spirit is ministering to my spirit.” That was something that I had felt before, but I’d never known how to put it into words. For me, yesterday, it felt so sweet to be back where I could feel others ministering to my spirit…My spirit that was pretty parched.

Then, the special song that our song leader sang right before the minister came forward yesterday immediately took me back twenty years or more, to an old sanctuary, old fashioned (dim) hanging lights,  the choir squeezed into the choir loft and the congregation seated cozily (quite cozily.) in those old fashioned pews.   Then right before his sermon, Pastor Ronnie would lead us, a cappella, in two or three short worship songs to bring us to God’s throne.  Oh how I loved those simple, pure,  special moments of worship.  One of the sweetest songs he led us in was, “I Love You Lord.” Yesterday, as our song leader shared that song,  I just closed my eyes and I could see Pastor Ronnie leading us in such a worshipful spirit with his hands raised and tears in his eyes.  I would say he is in sacred worship with a heavenly choir right now. 

God ministers to you in some of the most unique ways.  Our Pastor was out yesterday and we had a visiting minister.  As he came forward to preach, one of the ladies of the congregation (who knew his family was musical)  asked if he could sing one for us.  He and four of his daughters sang a beautiful worship song just before his sermon. In my mind I could see him leading a church—a cappella—to the throne of God, just as Pastor Ronnie had done.  Then as he was preaching, his style even reminded me of Pastor Ronnie. His demeanor was the same, he laid out his messages in the same way that he did, and taught in the same manner that he did.  The service was a sweet gift from God. 

Being with my church family and being able to be so sweetly ministered to by the Spirit is something I have missed. I think a lot of people are missing out on that, and I don’t think they know they are missing out.  Then again. I think a lot of people are missing out because they have no idea they need it so badly. 

We get the model of the early Church in Acts 2:44-47.  The early believers were a tight knit group. They seemed to have the same vision. Those that had possessions were selling them for the good of the Church. Those that ‘had’ shared with those that ‘did not have.’

Meeting, in agreement,  with the same Spirit, in the Temple courts (their church) was a daily thing for them. Then after their “church”  they would meet at many different houses to eat and fellowship with a similar joy in their hearts.  They would praise God. As they were finding favor with the people, the Lord added new believers to the Church each day. 

Does that sound like something you would want to be part of? 

The challenge for the modern Church is to get the church back to Church. The first challenge is getting people to show up. Many do not make attending church a priority in our “do everything, have everything society.”  Then the bigger challenge is getting the actual Church back to a tight knit group, with the same vision, truly fellowshipping and sharing with each other, monetarily and spiritually. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get back here again?: 

The good news of the risen King Jesus leads to the formation of communities where individuals from various backgrounds are treated with equality as they pledge their allegiance to Jesus and live according to his teachings. (https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-acts/#content; Bible Project Guide, The Book of Acts)

How can we apply this passage of scripture to our lives? Find ways to bring unity and singleness of vision to the church — your local church being the first step. It may be just me, but I don’t think every single person can sell everything they have. There would be no one to support anyone at that point. I believe the point here is that we should make sure that we care for each other and take care of each other. Get back to true worship. Let’s make our houses of worship so attractive and full of the Spirit that people will not be able to stay away. 

It is encouraging to my faith to see the way the original church was modeled. When I meet with my local church each week I see pieces of how the original church was. We meet together, we fellowship together in the Spirit. Our goal is to fulfill Christ’s mission, and I can tell you from personal experiences (recently) that God’s Church can do some loving on their brothers and sisters. Do we have improvements to make? Absolutely. But my faith is strengthened by every interaction and every attempt at worship. 

My Lord Jesus, Thank You for making us into Your Church. I realize the Church is not a physical location or a building. It is a living breathing body of believers that make up one true Church. Please help us, Your Church, to ramp up on Your Mission…. to be a safe, loving place for those that need to come to You and help them truly see what they are missing out on. 

~~~~~~~

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”  Acts 1:14 (KJV)

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”  Acts 5:42 (KJV)

“And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”  Luke 24:53“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 (KJV)

_____________

I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about Him.  

Do you know the God of grace? He created a perfect world. He loved His creation. Then, through the disobedience of man, God’s created beings, sin came into that perfect world. God, as the Creator, was the only One that could redeem His creation. Over two thousand years ago, a season in time came to be when Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, God in the flesh, was born as a tiny babe. (Christianity.com has a very good article about how Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies of the much looked for Messiah. Of course the better place to read this is in the Bible itself.) He lived a sinless life. At the age of about thirty, He began His earthly ministry. Jesus was abandoned by His followers, tortured and crucified to death. This He did deliberately, giving up His life freely. He was buried in a borrowed tomb that was heavily guarded by Roman soldiers. Then, as He had promised His followers, He arose from that grave on the third day. “Why,” you ask, “would He do this, go through this?” Ah, the reason… Love…Grace. He did it for you, His beloved creation! He did it for me also, of which I am eternally thankful. The thing is, He gave His life as redemption for the sin of the whole world. This same Jesus will come into your life. God is Spirit. You come to Him in spirit. Confess to Him that you realize you are a sinner. Tell Him that you believe that Jesus is His Son-His only Son, that He came to this earth to redeem you. Tell Him that you will turn away from a sinful life and follow the teachings of Jesus. Then find a local, Bible-believing church and become involved with the fellowship of the Church.

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making Jesus Christ YOUR best Friend! PeaceWithGod.net

———————-

Blog Image by Hans from Pixabay