HEBREWS 10 V25

Let us not neglect our church meetings,  as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that his coming back again is drawing near.

From the first day after the resurrection Of Jesus from the dead, the first day of the week was the day set aside for believers to gather together to worship Him. to share in fellowship, sing praise to Him, to pray, and to have the Scriptures taught.

For many years, Sunday was known as the Lord’s day.  Families would attend, father, mother, and child(ren) especially in middle class homes, and mother and children in other homes, the men viewed going to Church was a woman’s practice, and when they were obliged to attend for particular services such as baptism, so many appeared to be disorientated and uncomfortable. If anyone doubts this, just look at a service on television and count how many men are present as compared with women, notably when hymns are being sung.

In modern post war times, when successive governments turned their back in religion, the presence of sports and shopping replaced allegiance to Jesus.

To attend Church is something we should do with thanksgiving   , as we remember that He freely gave His life to be the Savior, to pay the price for our sins, and all who recognize and accept this free gift, can earn salvation and a future heavenly place.

The Bible states, that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and all wo believe in Him will be saved.   God judges us by what our hearts reveal, and those who pretend to be believers are obtaining nothing by their hypocrisy.

We who live in the Western Hemisphere, have the opportunity to choose a Church which are in every part of the country, but those in the eastern part of the world, do not have that choice, for few, if any, in many countries.  I know and admire from my connection with them. The devotion to Jesus, despite less teaching being available, and by the loss of Bibles because of the cost, and not being able to access from elsewhere.  I know they long for Bibles in their own language, but no concessions are made from either a Bible Society or book store.

I was able to read in the past days of a woman named Helen Keller. Helen was born in Alabama,(America) and at an early child age of nineteen months, was made blind and deaf.  She lived until the age of 87 and died in Connecticut in 1968. She had a gifted tutor named Anne Sullivan, and was able to learn, and qualified to enter Radcliffe College, from where she graduated.

 Helen worshipped God and knew Jesus. That wonderful brave young woman, gave her life to Jesus, yet there many million people with perfect bodies who offer complaints for being  denied trivial things, and mock any thought of going to Church.

If a girl overcomes such disabilities and turn to Jesus, it should shame all those who make any excuse for not  giving thanks to God for their good health            .

When you add what Jesus did for all people, those self-concerned people, would be outraged if they were asked to attend Church, or even thank God for all they were able to be blessed with.

Charles Studd was one of England’s greatest Cricket players with a grand future, but after reading the Bibe, stated that when he read what sacrifice Jesus made for him, there was nothing too great for him to do for Jesus.  He dedicated his life to be a missionary  in Africa, and forfeited all he could have achieved as a sportsman. 

There are countless brilliant men and women, who made similar commitments. What peopleOverlook, is that those who give their lives to serve God, get rewards much greater than money can offer.  And before any smart Alec writes and ask me if I did, the answer is yes.

Jesus stated, ‘whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, for every man will be repaid by my Father.’.

Those who have been granted forgiveness of sins, will be placed in a state of no condemnation, because Christ paid the penalty and they are redeemed.

The Church is the Kingdom of Christ . We have been saved from the kingdom of darkness and placed in the kingdom of God.  The Church is a place of divine truth. We worship in spirit and truth as Jesus called us to do.

The Church is the living body in the world, and we are called to  speak in the truth of God.  This means we do not preach false doctrine, and it is irresponsible for Church leaders who turn away from the Word of God and lead others to do the same, in order to placate those who advocate against the Church.  If the Church wanders from the Word of God, there is no purpose for our existence.  There is no excuse acceptable for false teaching, and those who do defect from their vows, should hold their heads in shame.

It is beyond understanding that men and women, can flagrantly reject the words of Scripture. And by so doing, disgrace the Church, leaving all those who are faithful to be shamed.

If anyone finds it too  hard for them to keep to the Bible, they have the option  to resign.

Jesus Christ said,’   I will build my Church’  it is not to be a sentimental notion about God. It is an assembly of people who meet to worship God.  It is to proclaim the Gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ who is here to lead us to God.  It is to bring believers to learn how to live in accordance with the teaching of Christ, who can comfort the soul, and to belp those who are suffering in any way, for Jesus said that for those who are burdened, He will give rest.

Th Apostle John stated Sunday was the Lord’s Day, and it was so recognized.  There were those who rejected it as a day to attend Church, and there will always be the same.  But as we have just seen, there are many people who find it an inspiring factor.  Christmas of course is an exceptional time, but if the Church should respond with enthusiasm, and displayed a desire to call on them to regular, attendance, showing an interest in their presence.

The key to bring people to join in attendance is unquestionably  to have hymns with either well-known tunes or easy to follow, and to have the Bible at the heart of the service.  There are many interesting stories which have a current meaning, which newcomers could be touched by, and many parables to maintain an interest.

There is a frustrating reluctance by preachers, to tell exactly what the Bible states for fear of complaint or cries of bigotry.  If such happens, you either ignore because complainants are mostly reluctant to tell you before leaving the Church and send abusive emails, or you gently advise them why the Bible states so.  There is nothing in the Bible which can give cause for complaint`

Coming to Church is a family occasion, and Jesus went with His parents. For adults it is an opportunity to approach God together and make your marriage stronger, and for children it is a solid foundation on which to build their lives.

 

May God’s Holy Name be Ever Praised and may God be glorified,

 

God Bless You.  Be at Church on Sunday.