Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to take the first step and reach out to professing Christians that are not attending worship services.
Response: Individuals will raise their hands to indicate that they know at least one professing Christian that does not attend worship and that they will reach out to them.
Something is wrong when a man thinks he can be a Christian without the church. If a woman believes she can serve God and not be part of a local congregation, then something is off beam.
Yes, there can be extenuating circumstances. A bedfast shut-in cannot go to worship services. Nevertheless the church should come to her and minister to her in her home. A Christian imprisoned for his faith cannot participate in a local congregation. However, we should pray that there’s a church interceding for his release.
The problem is with individuals who consider participation in a local church an option. When a person believes he can follow Christ without walking with Christ’s disciples, he is unfortunately very mistaken. When one who professes to love God feels she doesn’t need to love God’s people, she is wrong (1 John 3:11-24).
What could cause this problem?
Why would someone strike out on his own and try to live without the church? Many do it because someone in the church has hurt them. Perhaps it was an overzealous member who falsely accused them of some sin. It might have been a few gossips and busy bodies who attacked their reputations. Maybe someone harshly criticized his or her work. Other Christians have actually spurned some.
Others leave the church because their expectations aren’t being met and they are disillusioned. The pastor’s sermons were too long or not deep enough. The music wasn’t what they liked. The church didn’t elect them to a position they wanted and so they quit coming. Perhaps the church asked them to give more time or money than they thought was reasonable. No matter what the individual cause may be, these people are dissatisfied and figure they don’t need the hassle of a church.
Some people who call themselves Christians never start participating in a local church. They feel they can get all they need from a radio or television program. Perhaps, they think they’re too busy or that they’re relationship with Christ is a personal thing and no body else’s business. Maybe, they were brought up to be independent and self-reliant. It might be that they don’t feel their clothes are “good enough” for church services. And then some folks think churches won’t welcome “sinners.”
What’s involved in this problem?
Fear is the underlying motive in most individuals who reject the church while claiming to follow Jesus. Some fear being wounded again. Others are afraid to change their expectations of what the church should be and how it should work. There are people who worry about appearing weak by depending on others. Some people are afraid of being rejected by God’s people because of the rebuffs they’ve experienced in society.
Faithful church members show fear too. Too many are afraid to reach out to those who claim to love God and yet avoid the church. Those in the church tend to ignore the wounds others have experienced because they are afraid of sharing the pain. Sometime we are worried about what our friends will think when they find out who all attends our church.
It’s too easy for those of us in the church to say, “It’s their fault. After all, we announce the services on the church sign. Anyone can come that wants to come. If they don’t show up, we don’t need them. We aren’t responsible for them.”
That’s the problem. It’s summed up in those two statements. “We don’t need them. We aren’t responsible for them.” Whether a person is in the church every time the doors open or if an individual chooses to live without a local congregation, if he thinks he doesn’t need others and is not responsible for them then he is part of the problem.
We all need each other. The New Testament is filled with commands relating to our relationships with one another (BULLETIN NSERT BELOW). Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). The apostle Paul wrote “Encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We need each other in order to live by these guidelines.
What can be done about this problem?
We all need to see the church as God sees it. The local congregation is more than a collection of individual believers. God sees every Christian in our communities as part of a whole that “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16). Look at the following descriptions of the church.
1. The church is like a body.
We require each other’s fellowship. Fellowship is far more than a church supper or a leisurely chat over a cup of coffee. It is sharing our lives with each other and taking care of one another. Our bodies are far more than a collection of different kinds of organs. They function together as a whole. Every part belongs to the others. They need each other and that’s the way the church is to be.
We respect one another’s contributions. Just as the human body functions best when all the parts are working well, your local congregation will be healthiest when everyone appreciates the unique part each person can play.
We respond to each other’s sorrow and joy. We should care about each other just as much as we care about ourselves. In the church, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
2. The church is like a family.
Our faith unites us. We all become God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26). When we receive him as Lord and Savior he gives us the right to be God’s sons and daughters (John 1:10-13). Everyone in God’s family trusts in Jesus alone for salvation.
Our refusal to relate to each other according to human standards unites us. As God’s children we no longer consider the categories and classes of society in our interaction with each other. We ignore ethnic backgrounds, kinds of employment, and gender because we “are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Our focus unites us. We are all striving to “be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Our goal is to live like Jesus lived. We are intent on being filled with his love and following in his footsteps.
Our future hope unites us. We are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). We will all be raised to live with God in heaven forever. We will reign with him. “He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
3. The church is like a temple.
The best Carpenter constructs us. Jesus builds the church. It is our responsibility and privilege to find out where we can work for him. He is building a temple that cannot be conquered and that cannot be stopped (Matthew 16:17-18).
The vital Foundation connects us. Jesus Christ is our only support. When we build on his foundation we must follow his example of love and self-sacrifice because our “work will be shown for what it is” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
The Holy Spirit consecrates us as his sacred dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). We are being raised up as a holy temple in Christ. He joins us to each other so that we are a whole building not a shell (Ephesians 2:21-22).
The matchless Cornerstone crafts us so that we fit together (Ephesians 2:20). God chose Jesus to be the central piece of the church. Many people will reject him but to those who receive him he is treasured. He brings us together to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
The church is more than a collection of individual believers. We really do need each other. Do you need to change your view of professing Christians outside the church? Is there a part missing from your church body? Have some stones fallen from the walls of your temple? Do you know where to find a lost brother or sister? Conquer your fears in Jesus’ name. Take the first step and reach out. We really do need each other.
(BULLETIN INSERT BELOW)
We Need Each Other
Mark 9:50
Be at peace with each other
John 13:34-35
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 15:12 & 17
Love each other as I have loved you. This is my command: Love each other.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 13:8
Love one another.
Romans 14:13
Stop passing judgment on one another.
Romans 15:7
Accept one another.
Romans 15:14
Instruct one another.
Romans 16:16
Greet one another.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Agree with one another.
Galatians 5:13
Serve one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2
Be patient, bearing with one.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.
Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another.
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another.
Philippians 4:2
Agree with each other in the Lord.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Colossians 3:16
Teach and admonish one another.
1 Thessalonians 4:9, 18
Love each other.
Encourage each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Encourage one another and
build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:13, 15
Live in peace with each other.
Always try to be kind to each other.
Hebrews 3:13
Encourage one another daily.
James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
1 Peter 3:8
Live in harmony with one another.
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another.
1 John 3:11
Love one another.
1 John 4:7,11 & 12
Love one another. Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us
