Don't Fall Away

Don’t Fall Away! Be devoted!

Acts 2:42-46

April 16, 2023

Have you ever fallen away from something? Maybe it was that diet . . . you started and never finished. Maybe it was a workout regimen that sounded really good, but didn’t last. Or you hoped to read the Bible more or pray more and with great intentions you started and it all seemed to fizzle without your ever realizing it. Maybe it was simply going to worship on a regular basis and you started hot, but it was not a good finish.

That’s kind of what we’re talking about today . . . not bad finishes, because nobody wants that. I’m talking about FALLING AWAY. Having great intentions, but somehow you get derailed. Especially when it comes to faith issues.

It’s been determined and I think we would all agree, that we’re tired of online stuff. It’s great when we need it, but, we’ve learned a lot of people are jut checking out, they’re no longer engaging.

I think when it comes to zoom meetings and even online school, many are fed up and can’t be bothered. It’s easy to be in a zoom meeting and totally checked out.

I was on a preaching zoom meeting last week, and I learned how to blank my screen so I could scroll on the internet or play a game and nobody would notice. It only took me 3 years to learn how to do this, but now the possibilities are endless!

It makes me wonder what more we can do for those who are worshiping online. For some of our church family who are not able to attend worship . . . what more can we do to keep you engaged? I would love it if you would shoot me a message if you have any thoughts, because we value your presence.

While it may seem like we’re post-covid, one of my friends was called into duty to preach because his pastor had covid on Easter Sunday. So, it’s still around.

But this isn’t about coming back to church as a post covid event, it’s an overall pervasive thinking many fall into. You know what I mean? It’s like we say

I love Jesus, but I don’t like the church. Or I don’t need the church to worship God. There’s some who would say they love Jesus, but can’t be bothered with organized religion.

How is it the fire, the passion just fizzles out? It’s kind of like dating someone for awhile, and you like them, but say, I don’t need to be with you, but still want to date you. It’s kind of mindnumbing for me.

Maybe it’s a poor analogy, but how can we say we love Jesus, but don’t want to be with His people or serve, or read the Word, or pray or learn or give an offering?

Have you ever seen people in the underground churches in China when they get a Bible? They could be put in jail for being gathered together. In spite of persecution they’re there . . . together. They have so much joy when they receive a Bible. Watch this video - - -

VIDEO (from youtube)

Isn’t that great? I can’t imagine the joy they’re experiencing.

So, with that in mind, on this first Sunday after Easter, I was thinking about falling away. Last Sunday, in fact, last weekend was great. The play Friday, the movie on Saturday, worship on Sunday . . . and then Monday brings us back to reality.

Will we become complacent after the joy of Easter? Will we wonder if Jesus really forgives me after the bloody cross? A couple of weeks I watched the Passion of the Christ with my Thursday Bible study, and it was such a reminder of what Jesus did for us. How can I just let that go and slip away!?

So in as pastoral a voice as I can say this, if you’re watching this online, thank God for that. I’m so thrilled you’re able and willing to worship online. I’m so happy we have the technology to make this happen and to try to improve this.

If you’re here in the building, fantastic!! I’m glad you’re here, so we can be together.

If you say I’M JUST FED UP, then somehow I’m glad you’re here or online. Maybe you’re tired of watching online and wish you could be here, but can’t.

But if you’re fed up for other reasons, I guess, my question is this . . . . What are you fed up with? Many of us have that fed up feeling. Whether it’s politics, seeing the same names in the news all the time, reading horror stories of shootings and abuse and the innocent being taken advantage of. I’m with you . . . but . . .