HoHum:
There are four main bones in every organization including the church. The wish-bones: Wishing somebody would do something about the problem. The jaw-bones: Doing all the talking but very little else. The knuckle-bones: Those who knock everything. The back-bones: Those who carry the brunt of the load and do most of the work.
WBTU:
“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,” Ephesians 3:10, NIV.
“Through the church!” The church is the means through which God has chosen to do His work on earth. The church is Christ’s body on earth now to complete the work He began in His physical body. The church is God’s messenger on earth to spread the gospel of Christ.
Even so, in these times we come across much “anti-church” thinking. Many people who claim to be Christians want little or nothing to do with the church. Just finished a series on “A Christian Is...”, if we are Christians we will be concerned about Christ’s bride, the church. The church is important and we need to be active participants in it. Encouraging those of us who have not to made this local church the place where we will serve and worship to do so today. In the days of the early church they were baptized and “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47, NIV. When became a Christian automatically part of a local body. No such thing as just Jesus and me Christianity that excluded the church.
To whet our appetites let’s talk about the positive aspects of the church and there are many
Thesis: Some of the benefits of being active in a local church
For instances:
We’ll live longer
One study showed that attending church increased the lifespan for whites by an average of 7 years and potentially 14 years for African Americans. The more people go to church, the less likely they are to die sooner than those who don't go to church.
We’ll live better
The Christian lifestyle encourages healthy habits and attitudes. We strive to be good stewards of our bodies. We forgive and release that bitterness that ruins our souls but also our health.
More than physical health, we have better financial health. We become better managers of the possessions God has given us. Another reason is that our priorities will change. We will spend less for entertainment, for example, because we won’t feel the need to pursue what the world calls a “good time.” We will probably give up some costly habits that drain money away and give little in return. If we tithe, we will find what other tithers have found: our 9/10th will now go farther with God’s blessing that our 10/10ths used to go when we were keeping the entire amount for ourselves. One study found that church membership decreased stress. Stress in several ways but the biggest stress I have is financial and what would it be without the Lord.
We’ll laugh more
One of my favorite songs is, “I am happy in the service of the King.” A major note of the NT is joy: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11, NIV. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4, NIV.
We’ll love more
Our society talks a lot about love, agreeing that “what the world needs now is love, sweet love.” Many agree that love is the answer to many of the world’s problems. However, humans by nature are incapable of loving consistently.
In the gospel we find the only love that solves mankind’s biggest problem. John 3:16. Love is an act- it is wanting and doing the best for the ones that we love.
We’ll spend the rest of our lives studying and trying to apply the full meaning of love, God’s love for us and our love for Him and for one another. In a world that mostly just talks about love, we’ll put that talk into action. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7, NIV.
We’ll learn daily
“I know so little about the Bible.” Don’t feel alone. All of us feel that we have only begun to grasp the depths of biblical knowledge.
Take advantage of every opportunity to study the Bible. Don’t give up if it seems too hard. Some parts are hard and difficult. Taught one of my sons to ride a bicycle lately. Too hard but keep at it and becomes easier. “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” Matthew 4:4, NIV. Like a baby going from milk to solid food.
Need to realize that we will be continually frustrated if we fail to take advantage of qualified teachers and fellow students to get the rich, full meaning of the Scriptures. In other words, the church helps us in our Bible study. Take advantage of Sunday School, Sunday morning and evening, and now our Wednesday night Bible study.
We’ll work harder
The church is no hangout for loafers. There is too much work to be done for the Lord. Everywhere we turn we see jobs that are begging for workers. The whole world is in jeopardy; lives are being lost. While we are “happy in the service of the King,” we are unhappy with conditions on earth and we want to do something about them.
Church people are busy people. Christ sent His followers out two by two to preach, heal, and help. When one gets tired his buddy picks him up. When one is tempted to sluff off he sees his buddy working hard so he gets back to work. We will work harder, but as a result...
We’ll grow bigger
I’m not referring to obesity, but growing better. Christian grow wiser, more mature, more peaceful, more influential, more at home with God and fellow Christians, more determined to right the world’s wrong and live according to the highest possible standards, more compassionate, and more adventurous in faith.
William Temple said, “The Church is the only society on earth that exists for the benefits of its non members, the Church, then, must be a Church in mission, one continually going forth to pass on the faith.” “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” Acts 9:31, NIV. “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:21, NIV.
How big should the church grow? That is not up to us, take as many to heaven as we can.
We’ll improve our family life
“Families that pray together stay together” is an old slogan, but a true one. In modern society, families are under extreme stress. Without a spiritual bond to hold them together, many are being yanked apart. While we do see some failures even among church members, Christians families have a greater chance of succeeding that do those marriages and families that have no church membership.
There are many reasons for the success of the Christian home: higher moral standards, more emphasis upon love and giving than upon selfishness and getting, shared family activities in the church (talk about youth group/ family ministry), a wider circle of supportive friends, the help of the Spirit of Christ, and a hopeful future.
We’ll land safely
Christians look forward to the future. They believe that as God once sent His Son to rescue dying humanity, He will again send Him to draw His own to himself. No matter what tomorrow holds- floods, hurricanes, freezing, global warming, famine, revolutions, terrorist takeovers, whatever- God will take care of His own. He is God of today and tomorrow, of life on this earth and life beyond. Anxiety about tomorrow is off the Christians radar. Our future is secure. “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.”
Without Jesus Christ we have little assurance that we’ll land safely. The old slave spiritual put it simply: "Everybody talkin' about heaven ain't going there." Some feel all is well between them and God when it isn't. They don't understand the truth about salvation and their own spiritual condition. Jesus said, ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23, NIV. Many people are deceived about their salvation. That's why the apostle Paul said, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." (2 Corinthians 13:5).
How did those people get their false assurance? By receiving false information about salvation. Much of our modern-day evangelism contributes to that. Give NT plan of salvation.
