IN CHURCH BUT NOT IN THE CHURCH

            There have been many professions of faith but not many possessions of the faith.

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:23

            Some people have never been saved so it shouldn’t surprise those of us who are when they don’t live Godly. Lost people will do, what lost people do. They will not be faithful to church. They will not handle sin properly; confession and repentance. They will not forgive those whom have done them wrong. They will not give what God asks. What it all boils down to is— they will not be obedient to the Word. I am reminded this morning of another scripture… If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

            What are you trusting in your salvation for? If it’s anything other than the finished work of Jesus Christ—you’re still lost! You’re not part of the church… you’re just in a church!

WHO ARE WE AND HOW DO I FIND OUT?

A truly virtuous person is like good metal-the more he is fired, the more he is refined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved.  Wrongs may well try him and touch him, but they cannot imprint on him any false stamp. –Richelieu

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8

Where do we find out what a truly virtuous person is? – God’s Word. Where do we find out how to become a virtuous person? – God’s Word. Where do we find out when we can become virtuous? – God’s Word. Where is God’s Word preached?—at Church! For it is at church that we find out we are a corrupt and sinful people in need of the Saviour. And without the incorruptible, sinless Son of God there is no hope for us! So what are we to do? GET UP, GET READY, AND GO TO CHURCH TODAY!

GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!

The great sin of the church is to be so interested in serving those within it that it cannot serve the needs of those without. –Rasmussen

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:42

Notice in this verse it says, “…and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ”. We are challenged not only to preach and teach “IN THE CHURCH” but in every place we go. Some may say, “You don’t have to wear your Christianity on your shoulders.” I say, “No, I do not wear it at all. It is who I am, not something I wear or something I do!”

On this Sunday morning as you GET UP, GET READY and HEAD OUT the door, take a moment to pray and ask the Lord to give you someone to share the Gospel with. It may be someone in Sunday School, in the nursery, or it could be before you get to church at the gas pump, in the checkout line, or in a drive through. Make sure you are prepared to give an account of the hope that lives and abides in you!

I INVITE YOU... TO CHURCH... TONIGHT!

The name of Jesus is the one lever that lifts the world. –Anonymous

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

There are a lot of churches that have chosen to cancel mid-week services. They started off power packed with the preaching of God’s Word. They changed to a time of prayer and youth meetings. Nothing wrong with these things but attendance dropped off. The pastor tried to change it up and go to small groups but it becomes no more than a small group of the faithful few. Then one day he says he feels like the mid-week service is a thing of the past. People are too busy with life. They can’t get here so we are just going to cancel our mid-week service in order to let families rest from their hard work week. To have more family time--- sounds good???? No- No- No!

Do you believe the Lord’s return is close? Do you believe He could call His children home at any time? I am reminded today of this verse, “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. Hebrews 10:25”—

Emphasis to that verse was added by me because instead of cancelling services…WE NEED TO GO TO THEM MORE! We need to hear the Gospel! I need to hear once again how He died for me! How He was buried and rose again the third day! I need to hear the preaching of God’s Word because it lifts me up! So where are you going to church tonight????????

DON’T JUST STAY IN BED…

This was posted on a Bronx, New York, church bulletin board: "Do come in-Trespassers will be forgiven." –Anonymous

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

It sure is easy to stay all snuggled up, warm in your bed, sleeping in on a Sunday morning. However, it would’ve been easy for Jesus to stay in Heaven and let us destroy ourselves too but He didn’t. He came seeking to save that which was lost. He died for you and me. He arose the third day conquering death, hell, and the grave NOT so we could sleep in! So why don’t you GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning? You can get some practice worshipping with fellow believers this side of Heaven!

TIME FOR CHURCH!!

A church ought to be a sanctuary for those that have the greatest fears and a gas station for those almost on empty.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

How can you get the spiritual building blocks of the Christian life if you neglect the Lord in His basic commands such as church attendance? Friend, if you are truly saved you will want to come to church. You will want to get fed from the Word of God. You will want to be there every time the doors are open. You will not make excuses on why you shouldn’t come.

So on this Sunday evening quit making excuses! GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!