Don't Go To Church

Okay, so I admit that my title isn't really that creative because you've probably heard someone say that before. Christians all around the world have been crying the past few years: "Don't go to church; be the church!" I'm here to agree with that statement and explain why. Since I will be talking about this tomorrow night in youth group, this serves as a part of my sermon prep as well seeing as how I think best when I'm writing my thoughts out.

It bothers me a little bit that it is considered a 'spiritual discipline' to attend church. What's so spiritual about showing up to a building once a week? And how is it considered a discipline as though it took real work? I understand people's intentions in crying that we go to church, but Scripture doesn't say that the early believers committed to 'attendance.'

Check out Acts 2:42-47 - 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

There are two parts to 'being the church' that I see in those verses:

1) They focused on building each other up.

The early church wanted each other to love Jesus more every day. That's why the writer of Hebrews said "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

A part of being the church isn't singing in unison with each other on Sunday during the worship set, but loving Jesus in unison with each other. In the same way that you would correct someone who is singing the wrong words to a song, we are to correct our brothers and sisters who are living wrong.

The church is supposed to push each other foreword; help each other get out of our comfort zones. This does not just happen on Sundays and Wednesdays, but every moment of every day. Sunday and Wednesday are special times when many of us gather together in one place and it's supposed to be awesome and encouraging, but 'being the church' should only grow from there into the rest of the week.

Not just spiritual needs were met however. If you want to be the church, you need to help each other in any way God leads. If that means mowing their lawn, taking their kids to school, giving them financial help, calling them when they are sick, etc. All of this is what will happen when we focus on being the church instead of just going to church.

2) They focused on changing the world.

The early church were known for turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). If your only focus is going to church, you will never reach your world. Sure there are unbelievers who will come to church on occasion, but the real mission field is outside those four walls. How do we expect to impact the world with the gospel of Jesus if we never take that outside of the church?

Members of the body of Christ are supposed to go in the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God's Word to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into a world that s desperately needs it. So many churches are imploding because they are so focused on themselves that they have almost become this secret club.

I love the movement where people are all over social media with the hashtag "ilovemychurch." It's so cool to see people excited about being a part of a gathering of believers. If we aren't careful though we will only be excited about going to a social club instead of being the church.

So let's show people that "church" is something you are, not something you do. It's a movement, not a club. That's why I'm so glad that at South Shore we don't have 'members' we have 'partners.' Christians need to get over being more focused on what they get out of church than what they put into it. We are so selfish though aren't we? Everything becomes about us being comfortable and entertained. When did the gospel take second place to the order of service?

Folks, when we understand that we have been redeemed and we are a part of a 'people' that have been redeemed, church stops becoming something we go to; it becomes who we are. That is when it really becomes a spiritual discipline. So don't go to church, be the church.

Stewarding Grace

This post fit this blog perfectly since I am writing it from a coffee shop. I am sitting in Perq Coffee Bar in Sarasota Florida reflecting on a few things. One of those things is how inadequate I feel at times to do the ministry that God has called me to. Often as a youth pastor I am overwhelmed with the responsibility that has been placed on me.

I have a feeling this post is going to resonate with many Christians (at least the ones who are actively discipling someone else); especially parents. There is a line that I have to preach to myself often. It's a line that at the surface sounds very discouraging but when you really think about it, it becomes one of the most freeing things you can tell yourself. Ready for it?

I cannot change lives!

Whew! Feel better? No? I should probably explain myself I guess.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." Did you catch the part of that verse that said "God making His appeal through us?" I think we get so caught up trying to change lives that we forget that we are in-dwelt with the Only One who can! God appeals to men through us. That means that we are simply a mouthpiece to proclaim the good news.

That is so refreshing to me as I look at 35 teenagers on a Wednesday night and realize that as long as I am faithful to live and preach the gospel, God will do the work. By the way: God does it so much better than you and I! Parents always are telling me how heartbroken they are that their teenager is rebelling against God. The often ask me these words: What can I do? My response is first of all PRAY! Make sure that you are relying on God to do the work.

1 Peter 4:10 teaches us that we are stewards of God's grace. That's our job is to be a faithful steward of that grace. Preach the gospel always through your words and actions. As long as you're doing that, leave the rest to the Holy Spirit. And understand that you may only be the one to plant the seed in someone's life. As a parent, you can preach to your kids for 20 years and they seem to not get it. Then someone else comes along and says the same thing you've been saying for years when all of a sudden they get it! Don't ask why it took so long! Rejoice that God worked the miracle of salvation/sanctification in their lives!

Find freedom in the work of God! Know that He works in ways that go beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8). Trust the fact that so often He is at work when we do not think that He is. Believe that today and continue to be faithful in the work that He has called us to: preaching Christ and Him crucified!