September 28 2014
Is There Any Church Worthy Of Your Regular Attendance?
1 Corinthians 12:20 and 27-28 (NIV)
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
A phrase “Church of your choice” has been coined in recent years, and this phrase has been seen many times in these commentaries over the years. The meaning of this phrase, at least to me, is that you have chosen a church that you regularly attend that has people who share a commonality of beliefs, so that you feel comfortable attending there. Have you found such a church? Are you currently feeling comfortable enough to keep attending this church on a regular basis?
Recently I have met a number of people who have NOT been able to find a church of their choice, and thus, they do not attend any church. There is a move afoot where people are conducting a home church. That is to say they are having a worship time in their own home with their family in attendance instead of seeking a church of their choice to attend. They have decided to do this, because they have not found any church that believes and teaches what they believe to be God’s Word! Are you included in this number? Of course, some may have decided to do this, because they do not have time to seek out a church that would satisfy their belief system!
The Amish sect has always been interesting to me, as they seek to stay out of the world by avoiding contact with others who do not believe what they believe. While I have admired them for their effort to remain loyal to Jesus by shunning worldly ways, it also seems to me they have denied some of the teaching of the Scriptures, as they have reserved their salt and light to only apply to people who are also already Amish. So it seems that the Amish, and people who have pulled out of any available churches, are not responding to some of the commands of Jesus, such as is written in the book of Acts. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’" (Acts 13:47)
Is our salvation causing us to avoid helping other people to find their salvation? This is of course, a good question for all of us. We likely all find it difficult to talk with anyone about what we believe, and why we believe it! Do you ever try to tell the biblical story to those you believe do not know it? Do you know this story well enough to make it sound attractive enough for someone to believe it? Have you taken time enough to read the Bible every day? Is it your responsibility to learn the biblical story, since you have received your salvation, by the grace of God?
Is the Great Commission really a command or is it just a suggestion? Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Many reading this commentary right now is either dozing off, or are just thinking, well you do not know the difficult people who I am around every day. If I try to witness to them they will give me a very rough time, and may even start avoiding me. Some of you have felt this way at worship services or during Bible studies classes, and have thus left the church you had chosen to attend regularly.
If disagreements have caused to choose to leave the body of Christ as represented by a church or churches you once attended, then it makes me wonder about whom it is who has broken away from the body of Christ? Is a home church really the answer Jesus would have you make? If you were correct about the points or disagreement you experienced at that church, then would Jesus have you leave it wallowing in an uncertain belief that you may be able to help them correct? If you believe you have gifts from the Holy Spirit, then you should try to use these gifts to bring improvement at the church you are leaving!
Are you hiding your light, and thus, these people are going through the motions, but stumbling because they have not accepted the true light. Of course, not your light but instead the light of the Lord! No-one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. (Luke 11:33) Is there someone attending that church who you may be able to direct toward this light, and therefore, cause them to accept the salvation offered through Jesus? If you choose to not attend then their immortal soul may be lost.
There is another side to this issue too. Have you ever considered that your belief system may need some improvement too? Attendance at a church may aid you to discover your beliefs may have been eroded in some ways, and these different views may help you strengthen your faith. The writer of Hebrews wrote about being sure you are listening to the truth, and thus, following the correct path, staying on that straight and narrow path. So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)
Have you heard the truth, but you are limiting to whom you will share this truth? Will no one be affected positively by your devoted knowledge? Are you using the talents God has blessed you with, or will you be like the servant who hid your treasure which God blessed you with by reserving with whom you are willing to share it? "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ "Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ (Matthew 25:23-25)
Does God want you to share the knowledge He has blessed you with? Is the body of Christ made up of only one sense? Does anyone depend upon your knowledge at a church of your choice, or one that you may choose? Have you chosen? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:20)
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Corinthians 12:20 and 27-28 (NIV)
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
A phrase “Church of your choice” has been coined in recent years, and this phrase has been seen many times in these commentaries over the years. The meaning of this phrase, at least to me, is that you have chosen a church that you regularly attend that has people who share a commonality of beliefs, so that you feel comfortable attending there. Have you found such a church? Are you currently feeling comfortable enough to keep attending this church on a regular basis?
Recently I have met a number of people who have NOT been able to find a church of their choice, and thus, they do not attend any church. There is a move afoot where people are conducting a home church. That is to say they are having a worship time in their own home with their family in attendance instead of seeking a church of their choice to attend. They have decided to do this, because they have not found any church that believes and teaches what they believe to be God’s Word! Are you included in this number? Of course, some may have decided to do this, because they do not have time to seek out a church that would satisfy their belief system!
The Amish sect has always been interesting to me, as they seek to stay out of the world by avoiding contact with others who do not believe what they believe. While I have admired them for their effort to remain loyal to Jesus by shunning worldly ways, it also seems to me they have denied some of the teaching of the Scriptures, as they have reserved their salt and light to only apply to people who are also already Amish. So it seems that the Amish, and people who have pulled out of any available churches, are not responding to some of the commands of Jesus, such as is written in the book of Acts. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’" (Acts 13:47)
Is our salvation causing us to avoid helping other people to find their salvation? This is of course, a good question for all of us. We likely all find it difficult to talk with anyone about what we believe, and why we believe it! Do you ever try to tell the biblical story to those you believe do not know it? Do you know this story well enough to make it sound attractive enough for someone to believe it? Have you taken time enough to read the Bible every day? Is it your responsibility to learn the biblical story, since you have received your salvation, by the grace of God?
Is the Great Commission really a command or is it just a suggestion? Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Many reading this commentary right now is either dozing off, or are just thinking, well you do not know the difficult people who I am around every day. If I try to witness to them they will give me a very rough time, and may even start avoiding me. Some of you have felt this way at worship services or during Bible studies classes, and have thus left the church you had chosen to attend regularly.
If disagreements have caused to choose to leave the body of Christ as represented by a church or churches you once attended, then it makes me wonder about whom it is who has broken away from the body of Christ? Is a home church really the answer Jesus would have you make? If you were correct about the points or disagreement you experienced at that church, then would Jesus have you leave it wallowing in an uncertain belief that you may be able to help them correct? If you believe you have gifts from the Holy Spirit, then you should try to use these gifts to bring improvement at the church you are leaving!
Are you hiding your light, and thus, these people are going through the motions, but stumbling because they have not accepted the true light. Of course, not your light but instead the light of the Lord! No-one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. (Luke 11:33) Is there someone attending that church who you may be able to direct toward this light, and therefore, cause them to accept the salvation offered through Jesus? If you choose to not attend then their immortal soul may be lost.
There is another side to this issue too. Have you ever considered that your belief system may need some improvement too? Attendance at a church may aid you to discover your beliefs may have been eroded in some ways, and these different views may help you strengthen your faith. The writer of Hebrews wrote about being sure you are listening to the truth, and thus, following the correct path, staying on that straight and narrow path. So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)
Have you heard the truth, but you are limiting to whom you will share this truth? Will no one be affected positively by your devoted knowledge? Are you using the talents God has blessed you with, or will you be like the servant who hid your treasure which God blessed you with by reserving with whom you are willing to share it? "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ "Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ (Matthew 25:23-25)
Does God want you to share the knowledge He has blessed you with? Is the body of Christ made up of only one sense? Does anyone depend upon your knowledge at a church of your choice, or one that you may choose? Have you chosen? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:20)
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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