Here's Why I'm Never Going to Church Again!
We have become comfortable with defining the church as the four walls of a building.
The place we go to get a "blessing."
The place where God dwells.
The oasis in the wilderness.
What if there is no church for another 5 years?
Would we have lost our blessing?
Would the presence of God no longer be on earth?
Would the earth become a dry sinful wilderness with no hope for the thirsty stranger seeking a better way?
We at Sabbath Programs have always preached the fact that the church is you, yes YOU.
Many of us are caught up with the church building, we judge people's spirituality by their frequency of church attendance. We seek to fill up the pews but the people are empty.
During the pandemic when churches were closed, I saw many church members activate their compassion and reached out to those who lost their income with support, to those who were sick with therapies, to those who were depressed with hope. I saw talented people dedicating their time and efforts to share the gospel online, I saw the church being active, even though the doors were closed.
After much consideration, I have decided never to go to church again.
Instead of going to church, I will become the church. I will take my responsibility in the body of Christ. I will become a full participating member, not just show up for a blessing. I will make my impact felt in my community, not just within the four walls, I will gather for service with my fellow believers every sabbath, but I will also take the church to those who will not or cannot attend. I will no longer go to church, I will take the church with me wherever I go! Because I am the church that Jesus has promised to return for.
I hope too will join with me and stop going to church but become the church wherever you go.
Here are some reasons why:
You are the Blessing of the Church
In Genesis 22:18 God gave Abraham the promise: "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Galatians 3:29 confirms that "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Therefore, we, the church of Christ are a blessing to the world. We don't go to church for a blessing, in living for Christ we become blessed and a blessing to others.
You are the Temple
We sometimes get confused when we read Exodus 25:8 that says "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." However, if we take into consideration Acts 7:48 "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet," we will realise that that the temple was not God's final destination. His aim was to enter into a better temple. 1 Cor 3:16 confirms this "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
God wants to dwell in your heart, and if he is in our hearts, he can make a difference in the world.
You are the Water in the Weary Land
As men and women of the world search for the meaning of life. There is a constant search to fill the God-shaped void in their hearts. Like the Psalmist said in Pslams 63:1 " O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;" they thirst and try to quench this thirst with worldly things.
What the world needs is what Jesus spoke of in John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
We, the church, can be the source of that water to the world. Isiah 58:11 promises: "11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
As you feed on the word of God, His character will become engraved upon your heart. You will become the oasis in this wilderness of sin.
If you are the church, are you closed for quarantine?
The church of which we speak needs no special program, just a willing heart, ready to do as the Lord desires.
