“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, and according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10, 11 (NIV)
I came across an interesting website some time ago called
Churchshoppers.com, it’s not even a working website today. It intrigued me at the time so I saved it and here's what it said:
"Finding the right home church is one of the most important decisions you will make for you and your family. Where other services provide you with an address and phone number, Churchshoppers matches you to possible churches based on compatibility in the most important areas of life – denominations, preaching style, music style, children’s and Youth ministry!"
"Finding the right home church is one of the most important decisions you will make for you and your family. Where other services provide you with an address and phone number, Churchshoppers matches you to possible churches based on compatibility in the most important areas of life – denominations, preaching style, music style, children’s and Youth ministry!"
Obviously the website didn’t work to well. I am concerned as your pastor about this whole consumer church mentality
that places all the emphasis on what a church can do for me. Now I’m all for having fun and doing things
in a service that makes the worship or message explode in your heart.
Because the Holy Spirit empowers what we do; but should these be the most important areas of church life “denominations,
preaching style, music style, [and] children’s and Youth ministry.”
We shouldn’t be all that surprised at this “me-first” approach to church. It seems that, especially in our culture, the gospel is far too often presented as though it was designed for our personal benefit and enjoyment.
We shouldn’t be all that surprised at this “me-first” approach to church. It seems that, especially in our culture, the gospel is far too often presented as though it was designed for our personal benefit and enjoyment.
I don’t mean this to
be harsh, but this is my thought after 30 years of ministry: have we been
deceived into thinking that Jesus died on the cross so we can have a happy, peaceful
life. “Just come to Jesus and you can have a perfect family and a nice house in
the suburbs so you can drive your brand new SUV to your fulfilling job.” So
it’s just natural that the same kind of mindset has permeated our attitudes
about why we’re part of the church.
Our focus should never be on us and our happiness. Our focus should be completely on this great God who has chosen in His infinite wisdom to bless us with all these spiritual blessings.
Our focus should never be on us and our happiness. Our focus should be completely on this great God who has chosen in His infinite wisdom to bless us with all these spiritual blessings.
I’m going to blow
your mind; it’s not always about monetary blessings. Does he bless us
monetarily, yes, but is it more than that? We get this amazing privilege to
participate in God’s work of redemption and to share in all these blessings,
but God has not just done all this for our own personal enjoyment, although
that is certainly a byproduct.
God has
gifted us with His grace so that together with the other members of His family
we can participate in the process of paying it forward into the lives of
others. That’s what we did yesterday @2nd harvest for Serve Day.
Paying it forward helping other people as the church of Christ. Paul has only used the word “church” once up to this point in his letter, the concept of the church
has clearly been in view throughout what he has written.
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, and according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10, 11 (NIV)
This passage is difficult for two reasons:
• We have to deal with the idea of the manifold wisdom of God being made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms; that’s a concept that’s not real easy to get our minds around.
• The more difficult issue, though, is how do I take this passage and explain it in a way that we can actually take and use it in our lives.
He gives us three compelling reasons why all of us need to be part of this body he calls the church. These principles are an antidote to the whole concept of the “consumer church.
Tomorrow: WHY BE PART OF THE CHURCH: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, and according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10, 11 (NIV)
This passage is difficult for two reasons:
• We have to deal with the idea of the manifold wisdom of God being made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms; that’s a concept that’s not real easy to get our minds around.
• The more difficult issue, though, is how do I take this passage and explain it in a way that we can actually take and use it in our lives.
He gives us three compelling reasons why all of us need to be part of this body he calls the church. These principles are an antidote to the whole concept of the “consumer church.
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