Here are some reasons people give for not going to church. “It’s not necessary.” “I’m not interested.” “I don’t want to go to church.” “I’m too busy.” “I don’t believe in church, God, heaven, or hell.” “I can worship God without assembling with others.” “The church always asks for money.” “The preacher preached at me.” “There are too many rules.” “None of the churches teach the same doctrine.” “Church is boring” “There are too many hypocrites in church.” “This is 2008, not ancient times.” “I don’t have clothes fit for church.” etc.
Some of those reasons aren’t without merit, and some need clarification, but there are others that are ridiculous. Space will not permit answers for all that has been said, but allow me to say this. Jesus built a church (Matthew 16:18). The Bible teaches that God adds the saved to that church (Acts 2:27). Jesus will save the church from the fires of hell (Ephesians 5:23). The members came together on Sunday to give of their money, and observe the communion (1 Corinthians 16:1-4; Acts 20:7). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. For those raising children about two-years-old, you are now in the best position to teach godly values to your son or daughter (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Number one, you are the parent and never give that control over to the child and make sure he knows that. Number two, set a wonderful example before your child and have him follow that example and make sure it is the way of life in your home. Number three, make sure that your child understands that disobedience carries punishment, and urge him to learn from the words of warning, rather than learning after suffering the consequences of wrong doing (Colossians 3:25; Proverbs 22:3). Number four, make sure that you understand that the word of God authorizes parents to discipline their children and to do so in a manner which is pleasing in the eyes of the Creator (Hebrews 12:9; Proverbs 22:6, 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 29:15).
Finally let me say that having God and His word is more important than anything. We cannot have great homes and neighborhoods without the infallible Word serving as our guide (Psalm 119:105). I also know that people don’t want to hear about the Bible, but let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 4:1-5). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place watching the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15.3).
God knows who murdered Nicole Brown Simpson. God knows who torched the black church buildings in the South in the Sixties. God knows who shot and killed the person whose body was found on the side walk last night that you read about in the paper. God knows all religious hypocrites who claim to be holy, but are corrupt human beings doing evil in the dark. God knows those who are cheating on their spouses. God knows who that masked man is that robbed the 7/11 store. God knows where the top four criminals profiled this week on America’s Most Wanted are hiding out. God knows what happen to the people pictured on milk cartons. God knows where your lost wallet is. God knows where the body of Jimmy Hoffa is. God knows where the deadbeat parents of abandoned children are. Though God knows all things, he doesn’t always take care of things right away. There is a Day of Judgment coming in which he will judge the world by rewarding everyone according to their works (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Romans 2:16; Matthew 10:26; Rom. 14:10-12. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. |