Why do we do what we do on Sunday mornings? And, Sunday evenings for that matter? Why do we gather? Hebrews 10 says we are not to forsake the assembly, but to motivate one another unto love and good deeds...encourage one another. It seems when I started out newly converted to the Church of Christ way our purpose was not to encourage; but rather, to make sure we did the five scriptural things without any of the five items overlapping; i.e. no singing during the Lord's Supper because you couldn't have two practices of worship strike simultaneously. So, we sorta gathered to check off the items accomplished and when everyone thought we had hit all five, we wrapped it up with a closing prayer and.........we were done!
I am absolutely crazy about the Hebrews call of purpose. Don't let me preach, and I'll still do what I'm called to do....motivate and encourage. You may keep me out of the pulpit, but you can't keep me out of the aisles where the people are. I love these people and they know it. And, it's quite mutual. It's the best thing to get to do in all of the world. Show me a person who doesn't like to go to church and I'll show you a person who has no interest in motivating and encouraging others. If such is not their purpose, they will not find the church alive.
Do we need better classes? Usually. Could we have better sermons? C-a-r-e-f-u-l. What we will always need is to improve our ways to fulfill His call to motivate and encourage. I encourage you to get yourself over to that little church building (or that big one if that's your place) and wind yourself up like a clock and hit the flock with a warm heart of cheer. A thing I dearly love at Memorial is it is so actively engaged in it's purpose we have to interrupt the unscheduled fellowship in the auditorium just to get the first song started. And, what else I love is that after it's over....it isn't over. Thirty minutes after we've "dismissed" half of the church will still be there fulfilling their purpose....motivating and encouraging.
God saved me and I have lived and gone to heaven....it's Memorial Drive and it's a most wonderful place!
4 comments:
I love church too! I love the interaction with people, God's people. There is nothing like it. I love to worship with hundreds of other Christians whose greatest desire is to be there also. The sermon is always a bonus. I'm sure those at Memorial feel that way too! There is an old AVB song called "You Can't Go to Church". It says in the song, you can't go to church, cause the church is you! If we really are being the church, the church is the greatest place on earth to be! Love you!
Amen, Terry ... great thoughts today.
Terry ... I LIKE this one. Good stuff. Nothing is more fun and fulfilling that hugging, loving and visiting my bro and sis on Sunday.
Oh, is announcements one of the 5 things? Sometimes, we have to make them twice!
i had a nice read with this post...
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