THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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That grand preacher Emerson Colaw once told about a letter he sent to a family that had been very active in his church. They had moved, and he wanted to "jog" their memory about being involved in a local church.
A letter came back in response from the wife which said, "Mr. Colaw, we now live near a university campus and we go every Sunday a.m. to the chapel service there. They have unusually fine music . . . they have nationally known preachers every Sunday morning." And she added a note he didn't think necessary, "We had not heard such preaching as that before." She said, "The children are taught in church school by seminary students."
But then she ended, "But best of all there is no membership, no pledging, and no women's society asking me to work. So if you don't mind we'll just leave our membership at Hyde Park and continue to enjoy what we have here."
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Rom 16:3-5
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
(KJV)
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Speaking of involvment, Aquila and Priscilla had a church in their own house! Wow! That's real commitment!
Most folk want a church where they can go a few times a year and maybe give a few dollars. But attend business meetings or visitation?
On my last trip to the Philippines, we had a great revival in one church. The pastor sent me a note later, saying that the people were genuinely revived and becoming involved in the work of ministry through the church. One member had visited with an elderly couple. The elderly couple were very convicted about involvement, but the wife was an invalid, and unable to go to church. So they wanted to start a satellite church in their home!
It's easy to attend church where the A/C is already on, the chairs are all set up, bulletins are made, a program of Sunday School and Worship is already defined, and you're only going to spend an hour or two. You can just pick up and leave the bulletin laying on the pew along with your gum wrappers.
But suppose you had to DO all that, and be prepared for visitors in your home every week - or twice a week, and then clean up afterward?
And suppose you had to make phone calls and visits to assure that neighbors were going to attend when you had church.
Suppose? NAH! Just DO it!! Because that's what involvement is all about!
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org
It's easier to think of our personal enjoyment rather than to concentrate on personal involvement.