“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
Is this your attitude Sunday morning?
According to Romans, church is not about music or the sermon, it is about sharing the gifts of the Spirit with each other. And not so we can be entertained or even educated, but that as a church, we can be established in love… We are to come together to Worship God, learn to obey His Word, and love each other.
Is that your mindset? When you come to church, are you wanting to be a Quarterback, or an Offensive Lineman? … One gets more attention; the other is more important to achieving success. Some have forgotten that the gifts God gives us are intended to glorify Him … not elevate ourselves?
Sadly, one of the biggest churches in Texas is currently suing itself over ownership … The outcome of the case is irrelevant as neither side owns the church… it is God’s house.
Unfortunately, many other churches have forgotten this as well, and instead of following biblical principles for church government… they have become thinly veiled entertainment corporations… more interested in business than ministry. This has opened the door to “leaders” using the church to advance their own agendas. Jesus was clear that misusing the Temple is a dangerous endeavor.
Paul’s humility in this passage is instructive. His tone of encouragement is coming from a man who was handpicked by Christ to write much of the New Testament. Yet his goal for going to church is to encourage and be encouraged, lovingly sharing his faith with others.
Next Sunday morning try going to church to let other sinners like yourself, see how God has redeemed you, and then marvel at how God has redeemed them. You don’t need to grade the sermon or rate the music… you are not a spectator; you are part of the offering. God alone is the audience. We don’t go to church to be entertained and advance our personal agenda. We go to worship God, and to encourage each other with His extravagant love for us.
“Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” – Jesus (with a whip in His hand)
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