What about Christianity says that we should be “well balanced”?
We go to church once or twice a week; so as not to be like some of those “Godless people”, but we want some time to spend with our friends & family.
We give the 10% of our money, 5% of our time, maybe a little more if it’s available
We gladly sit in a church service watching a missionary’s slideshow from the most recent trip to Uganda sitting in our comfortable theater seating
We have 4,000 churches in a 30 mile radius, and 1,500 homeless people
We attend rallies to put down “Them Hom O’sexuals”
We send $5,000 to aid refugees or natural disaster victims, while there is a $23 million dollar addition to the church in the works.
Why are we so worried about church attendance?
Why is it quantity over quality?
Acts 2:44-47:
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The early church met every day.
They intensely studied the gospel & what the disciples said.
They shared everything they had.
They gave to those in need.
They were friends
They were a family
With quality there came quantity.
Maybe as a church we should be loving & helping everyone, regardless of who they are.
Maybe there should be a much different level of trust & sharing between members of the church.
How many of us are called to missions?
How many are called to watch the slide shows?
Matthew 28:19, 20
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I read that as we are all called to go to all nations.
Not just send the “chosen” few.
Colossians 3:17
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Everything we do should glorify God
Despite where we are
Despite what we are doing
Despite whom we are with
Are you ready to give up everything for God?
Our aspirations of school?
Our aspirations of business?
Our aspirations of wealth?
Our aspirations of marriage?
Our aspirations of life?
Luke 9:23
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
If someone walked up to us carrying a gun, stuck it in our face and asked
“Do you believe in God?”
Would you deny Him 3 times?
Would you be willing to go someplace where if you attended a church meeting you might face death or life imprisonment?
Just because it’s not illegal to do this in America, why don’t we live that way?
Where you don’t just invite someone to church, but you share the gospel on a personal level with people.
Then when they are hungry for the word & thirsty for the truth, you invite them to church.
Maybe some people require a bit of secular quotes
Coming to God isn't a weekend retreat! It's not a seminar!
You have to forget everything you know, everything you think
You know -- about life, about friendship, about you and me.
Does this sound a little extreme?
I don't believe a man who would go into the temple & break the table of the money changers could be considered subdued.
I don't believe a man who told a large crowd that they should drink His blood & eat His flesh is subtle.
I don't believe a man that was God would only want people to follow Him only halfway.
I don't believe that He died so we could be comfortable & get our "Free get out of hell ticket".
Are we ready to die for Jesus?
If we aren’t ready to die for Him, how can we be ready to live for Him?
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