Church Life: Assembling or Shopping?

Going to church this Sunday? Yeah? Good for you. Why are you going?

• To worship
• To hear God's word preached
• To see my friends
• To hear some good music
• To assemble, after all, Hebrews 10:25 says to not forsake assembling with each other.

Assembling... Assembling...

I think that for the most part, we don't assemble anymore. I think we shop. I think this because of the reasons one might hear from people who, instead of going to church, are leaving it.

• Doctrine is so dull.
• Preaching is so dull.
• The music is so dull.
• I'm not being fed.
• I can't thrive.
• They don't have puppet shows for the kids.
• I hate quail: it tastes like chicken.
• Manna again? how boring, you'd think God could do something more spectacular than that.

I think in large part we have no more commitment to our local church than we do to the place where we buy our milk and eggs: "I'm going to shop here today, and I'll leave the second I find a better deal, or something more convenient, or better customer service."

Going to church this Sunday? Yeah? Good for you. Why are you going?

Fish, Birds, and God

Fish. Cheap ones cost about a buck and a half at the local pet store. We bought three of them and a small aquarium earlier this year. They were ostensibly for our youngest daughter, so naturally their care and feeding fell upon me. I couldn't help being saddened the other day when I found one of them had died. I wanted to replace him, but not unless I got a clean bill of health for my tank's water, so I took a sample down to the pet store for analysis. I learned the water had an ammonia problem, and I have to follow a particular regimen to bring the water back to good, and hopefully the other two fish will survive the ordeal.

This passage from Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV) came to mind:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

My eldest daughter said "I'm sorry Dad." When the Matthew passage came to mind, it dawned on me that if God cares about birds, then He probably cares about fish as well. But that's not the point of the passage. The point is that if God cares about a sparrow, then he really cares about his child. Really really cares. Cares like crazy. And so, child of God, do not be afraid.

Children's Ministry

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

The Lord Jesus Christ loves children. In this passage we see Christ rebuking the disciples for trying to keep the kids away. "Let them come... do not hinder them..."

It's easy to hinder children. We do it all the time. For example, when in church you hear that the children's ministries programs could use help, what do you ordinarily think to yourself?

I can't do that: I've never done it before.
I can't do that: the "Sunday school people" take care of them.
I can't do that: I don't relate to kids.
I can't do that: kids annoy me.
I can't do that: I'm involved in more important things.

I love Psalm 1: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked...He is like a tree..." So how do trees get there? Someone planted seeds.

Go find the children's leader at your church, and ask him how you can help. You'll be glad you did. I promise.

The Escape Route

1 Corinthians 10:13 (English Standard Version) reads as follows:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Christians often look at this passage and think that "the way of escape" is some sort of magic door that appears to "show the way out." If we find ourselves in a particular sin, we think it's God's fault for not showing us the door. If I worry about financial problems, if God drops a Lotto ticket in my lap, then I won't have to worry any more. That would be convenient. Make my life easier.

So why is this way of escape so hard to find? After all, God promises that we'll not be tempted beyond our ability. Go grab your Bible. Read Matthew chapter 4.

Satan tempts Christ three times. The first time, he tempts Christ by challenging him to turn stones into bread. He answers with Scripture. The second time, he tempts Christ by challenging whether he is who he says he is. He answers with Scripture. The third time, he tempts Christ by challenging him to worship Satan instead of Christ. He answers with Scripture.

He answers with Scripture.

If you're holding your Bible, you're holding your way of escape.

We've got to know God's word. It's the way of escape.