August 29th

When the Church Gets It Wrong

For I fear...lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbiting, whisperings, conceits, tumults. 2 Corinthians 12:20

Why do you go to church?

I think there are a lot of people who go to church for what they think they can get there. They're like, I feel so depressed; I need that pastor to give a really good word today. If it doesn't speak to me right where I am, I don't know what I'm going to do. Or they say, Wow, what a rough week I've had! I'm really looking forward to the worship time, but I hope they don't play that same song they've sung the past four weeks.

Then there are other people in some churches that it's like they're not even trying to connect with God there, instead busying themselves with gossip and backbiting and creating division within the church.

Some people even do this while pretending to be godly, which sounds something like, Did you hear what that teacher said this morning? I'm not really sure that's biblical. Now, do we need to hold to a high biblical standard? Yes. However, most of the time I've heard people say this, what they're really trying to do is run away from the conviction they felt from the word that was preached, so they pretend the other person is the one with the problem.

And what is the problem in all of these things? It's selfishness, Church, pure and simple.

Just as Paul wrote a list to the Corinthians of what should never happen in church, he gave lists to the Colossians of what should happen, saying, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Do you see the difference here? In what we should do, we have each taken responsibility for our walk with the Lord during the entire week so that when we gather together for fellowship, we all have something to give. To give!

Imagine what church would begin to look like if we all came with something to give. Would anyone lack? Would anyone go spiritually hungry? Would anyone fail to grow in their relationship with God? No, and instead of these things, the body would actually build itself up in a way we have never before seen.

Please, take responsibility for your spiritual walk during the week. Then when you come to church, you won't need to take. In fact, you'll have something valuable to give.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You that I have something valuable to give the rest of Your body when I come to church! Please let Your Word dwell in me richly, then give me opportunities to teach others what you have taught me.

Amen