Honestly, how many of us look forward to going to church, that time when
believers get together to worship, fellowship, learn, and get closer to God?
Honestly, I said. Sadly I have seen too many changes in the church in my 40
years, but I know I have changed too. As a new believer in Albuquerque I
thought everyone was a Christian, my whole world outside of work revolved around
church. Sunday morning was up early for first service at Grace Church, and
Tuesday night was Bible study, where 40-50 of us got together for teaching and
fellowship. Jesus was new and exciting in my life and many others too, but soon
the fellowship became too important. And as I grew in the Lord, my group of
close friends got smaller, we all believed the same, but just a bit different
than the group. We had other common interests, age and marital status, student
or working, and what church we went to. We were part of the whole church, but
also part of a smaller fellowship group. Life was good, friendship wasn’t
measured, and Jesus Christ was the center of our lives. But after exciting and
wonderful times Sunday and Tuesday night, it was back into the world, and many
were not prepared for it. They had lived a new life in Christ so separated from
the world, they had a problem functioning in it. Two worlds were coming
together in our lives, and may could not handle both. One had to give, and too
many went back into the world, or of worldly things. Some held on, some had a
brief trip and returned, yet some never came back. The influence of the world
too much, laying blame with others, the church, and never finding that it laid
with their decisions. Like the seeds thrown among the rocks, they grew but soon
the weeds overtook them. And they were worse off than when they started.
Wounded and hurt, they made a decision to turn from God, leaving church,
friends, fellowship, and a life in Christ behind.
And we all suffer through this to certain extents. Some are consistent in
their walk, and can rise above the chaos of the world in Jesus. Their walk is
strong, and when threatened know where to turn. They live in the world, but are
not of it. Temptation abounds to them, but they choose Jesus over the
temptation. They are the ones who become like Job, ones who God can brag about
in heaven, because their hearts truly belong to him. Others are like Jonah,
trusting God until he asks them to do something, something they don’t want to
do. And they turn from him, but the spirit pursues, never leaving them. They
repent, and get closer to the Lord, but the church sees only the rebellion, not
the return. They miss the grace of God in action among their midst, hoping it
never happens to them. they surely would handle it better. And then the Peter
type, those who fail and deny Christ, but whose roots go deep in the spirit, and
although they fail, repeatedly, never look back, knowing they are forgiven, and
moving on. Led by the spirit, they are aware that only in Christ can they do
the things he asks, without him they are prey for the evil one. They know when
the two worlds collide, whose side they will be on. Tested, tried, and found
worthy, they stick with Christ until death, and heaven awaits.
Church can be a great thing, the gathering. But what happens after
church? When we go to work, to school, to our daily routine? Is their Jesus
the same outside of church as he is inside? To many Jesus is an emotional
relationship, and they carry on it church, but get quiet outside. A double
minded witness, and they are not secure in either. Based on emotions, our
emotions will let us down, happy yet without joy. For joy is not the absence of
suffering, but the presence of God, in church and out. They forget that
although Jesus taught in the temple, he ministered on the street. How many
miracles were performed when they couldn’t get in, and Jesus went to them? Are
we missing the importance of Jesus in our lives after church? Or do you live
knowing you are the church, part of a body of believers, sent out by God to
represent him? Does your life after church reflect what you learned in
church?
Now I have nothing against Bible studies, church, or fellowship. But as
God put it to me “if the seat of your pants is wearing out faster than the soles
of your shoes you have a problem.” We have education, but where is the
application? How we act is really how we believe, that should bother some, does
it you? It isn’t shouting Jesus in a crowd, or inviting someone to church, that
is not evangelism. It is showing love and compassion to all we meet, no matter
how uncomfortable they make us feel. It is letting your light shine without the
high beams blinding the ones you want to reach. It is the right amount of salt,
giving life flavor. It is spirit driven, and personal. It lives 24/7 in church
and outside. It knows no social boundaries, operates without budget or
meetings, and where God guides he provides. A recent bulletin upset me, a
church trying to reach out to the poor. But taking the next time to have a
meeting about it instead of going out and ministering. You mean we can’t meet
another time? I guess the people that need ministry can wait one more week in
their old clothes, and without food. Any bets the meeting is catered?
So maybe the old saying “that people will care about what you know after
you show how much you care” is relevant. Are you sitting eating a super sized
meal why some homeless guy is looking in? Have you ever given the coat off your
back to someone cold? Have you ever stopped and listened rather than preaching
at someone? Jesus has, and still does through us, the church. Does the message
from church reveal itself after church? Maybe that is what made the apostles
true rebels, they lived it. After Pentecost and the forming of the church,
lives changed. Times got worse, but the church grew. As it always has when
persecuted. Praying for growth? Get ready for persecution. Or is it just
words echoed among yourselves?
If Jesus asks, consider it done. Now trust and obey, and see the Bible
come alive, for you and others to see. Be part of a mighty kingdom changing
lives via the spirit. The people I see excited about the Lord are the ones
living it outside the church. One hour of training can effect the lives of many
others. After church is where the real action is....wherever two or three are
gathered Jesus is among them. And the spirit is alive in us, so we are never
alone. Two is better than one when Jesus is the only one. Now, what are your
plans for after church?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com