Because They Have Been There...

February 16, 2009

“Because they have been there…”

Blessings Folk!!

Welcome to several new folk.
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Those of y’all local know something that I say all the time...a dale-ism…”the number 1 reason people don’t ‘go to church’ is because they have been there…”

I’ve had several encounters this week that confirm the thought.

One young couple with whom I was speaking were explaining that they “did not go to church much”. I had asked about their relationship with God. When I explained that I was not so much interested in their “church attendance” as with their relationship with God, they were noticeably relieved.

Several renewed/refreshed relationships from the past (Facebook is amazing) voiced the same thought. One said “all the churches we have tried were oriented around social activities.”

We are to undoubtedly not forsake the gathering together of the Body…


Heb 10:25
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
KJV

There is also little doubt that what we associate with “church” - meetings, groups, programs, buildings, “leadership”, etc. etc. - has little to do with what we see in the Word of God.

The church, by definition - the elect, the redeemed, etc. - is the Body of Christ. We are regardless of where we are!

I know that most of us understand this, but, what we communicate can be different.

Do we speak of “church” as an event, a place, an activity, and organization?

or…

Do we speak of the church as the organism which is the Body of Christ...empowered by the Holy Spirit for the work of the Kingdom?

Does what we say align with how we live?

Yes. Do not forsake the gathering together of ourselves, but, also realize that that gathering is every moment of every day.

Some of the most intense moments as the Body will take place at work, over a meal, shopping, time with friends/family, “Divine-encounters”, etc.

Reflect upon the life of the Lord. Did He wait “until church” to do the work of the Father?

- A profound teaching on the Kingdom...on a mountain side.

- Amazing revelation and insight into future events...while walking...leaving the temple, then in a grove of trees.

  • Confrontation with religion in the temple...and in the outer courts.

  • around the meal table

  • on a boat

- in a graveyard...setting the captive free!

- I could go on...but you get the point.

If you are resting on a weekly gathering to live as a portion of the Body, then you will be anemic in your walk with the Lord and impact for the Kingdom.

Let us determine to “be” the church...a vessel of the Most High God…wherever we are.

More people will be brought into the Kingdom by our faithfulness to the Lord and the life of holiness that He has for us.

Let’s quit trying to get people to “go to church.”

Let’s manifest the Power and Presence of the Lord.
Let’s speak the Truth of the Gospel.

The world will then be drawn to Him.

One last thought.

The “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” will become more and more important as we “see the day approaching”. What day? I suspect the day of the Lord. We have been promised to be spared the wrath of God - the Day of the Lord. But, just prior to that, the church will undergo the wrath of satan - the great tribulation. Being in correct relationship with the Lord and with His Body will be imperative.

Seek the Lord.

He will lead you to that portion of the Body of Christ that He desires.

A new Podcast has been posted - Vertical Vision
New Prayer list - Pray for
New News - News

Today’s reading from the “So That’s Why!” Bible consists of pp. 258-264. Press on!