Category Archives: Church

Mar 25

What Makes the Church Great?

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Last weekend I spoke at a youth rally where the theme was “Make the Church Great Again.” As I was preparing my lesson, I couldn’t help but think about just a few of the reasons the church is already great.

The People. I have been a part of the Lord’s church for over 20 years now and one thing I have come to appreciate is the wonderful people who make up the church. Christians are some of the kindest and most generous people I know. Whenever a need arises, Christians and Christian organizations are some of the first on the scene to help serve (Gal. 5:13).

The Place. When a person obeys the Gospel the Lord adds them to His church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47). Everyone who has been added to the church is now a part of the family of God (Eph. 2:13-22). What makes being a part of the family of God so unique is that this spiritual family is not bound by ethnicity or location. When a person is added to the church that person becomes family with other brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.

The Price. As amazing as the church is, it should come as no surprise that the establishment of such a unique blessing didn’t come free of cost. The Bible tells us our beloved Lord and Savior purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). What a huge price to pay. And yet, Jesus gave His blood so you and I could be a part of His glorious church and enjoy all the blessing that come with being a member of His kingdom.

The Period. We have heard the saying, “All good things must come to an end.” When it comes to the church Jesus purchased, this is far from the truth. The church is eternal (Dan. 2:44). When time on earth for all mankind ends, the Lord will deliver up the kingdom to God (I Cor. 15:20-24). For those who are a part of the kingdom (church), they will be received into heaven.

Friends, we don’t have to make the church great again; it’s already great. We just have to open our eyes and see the beauty of the church and help lead others to find that greatness as well.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

Jun 26

What’s the Big Deal?

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Growing up there was one question I always wanted to know: “why do I have to go to school?” After all, what’s the big deal about school anyways? I was often given several answers when it came to this question. After finishing years of school which includes the graduate level, I now realize the importance such a question. Going to school helped me to learn so I could be successful in my life. It provided me a great opportunity to meet people who I still share a strong bond with even today.

Just like school there are many people today who want to know what the big deal is about attending worship services. It is evident people today do not think attending is a big deal. Just take a look at the average Sunday morning attendance. Notice the huge difference between the Sunday morning and Sunday evening assembly.

Throughout the scriptures we find reasons for gathering together to worship. One of the most used verses when it comes to this subject reads, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Most of us know God wants His people to gather together. The question we really want to know is, “why?”

The writer of Hebrews says, “Exhorting one another.” We gather to exhort and encourage each other. After a long week with lots of difficulties and problems, there’s no better place to find encouragement than with the Lord’s people. Every time we come together to worship we have an opportunity to encourage our brethren. We have a chance to grow and share with one another while building a bond we can cherish for a lifetime.

Attending worship services not only provides us a chance to be encouraged and uplifted, but it also provides us a chance to learn how to be successful throughout our lifetime. Every time we come to worship we are given another opportunity to study and grow. Paul taught about the importance of studying (2 Tim. 2:15). The only way to learn God’s will and what we must do to be saved is by studying the truths of God’s word. Attending worship provides us an opportunity to study together so we may grow and be successful as God defines success.

Early on I did not understand the importance of going to school. In time though, I learned going to school had many wonderful benefits. The same can be said of attending worship and even more so. When we attend worship services regularly we have an opportunity to be encouraged while learning how to be successful by God’s standards. Friends, that’s a big deal!

I hope to see you the next time the doors are opened for worship.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Question: What are some of the biggest reasons people are not attending worship services today? What can we do to change this? Leave your comments.

Apr 24

It Felt Like Home!

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Miranda, Caden and I just got back last night from Colorado Springs, Colorado. This was the second year Miranda and I have been to Colorado Springs and Caden’s first trip. I was invited back to be the keynote speaker for a youth conference at the Mountain View Church of Christ. As we boarded the plane to fly out there, we left our home, our church family, our friends and many of the things that bring us comfort. Yet, when we arrived, we were greeted by family and friends. You see, although we were some 1,200 miles from Knoxville, in a totally different time zone, it still felt like home.

Pikes Peak

Friends, this is the great blessing of being a part of the family of God. No matter where you go, no matter how far away from home you are, you always have family around. The bond of Christ is so strong it cannot be overcome by distance, time or culture. When one is a part of the family of God, he or she has family all over the world.

Galatians 3:26-28 says, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Dear Father, thank you for the bond we share as your children through Jesus Christ your son. It is so comforting to know that no matter where we go, no matter how far we are from our native homeland, we have family who will make us feel as though we are at home. Thank you for your infinite wisdom in giving us such a powerful bond to share. In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN!

Feb 06

Words Aren’t Enough

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The apostle Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39).

Peter wrote, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (I Pet. 4:10).

John reminds us, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (I Jn. 3:18).

Paul summed it up by saying, “Through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. 5:13b-14).

The words above have been lived out by so many recently. Over the course of time Caden was in the hospital, I can’t count the number of calls, texts, Facebook comments/messages and visits we had. Miranda and I were overwhelmed by the amount of love and support we were shown by our church family as well as many others. We can’t even begin to thank you enough for your kindness. There aren’t enough words to truly express our gratitude so please accept our sincere and heartfelt thanks. We consider ourselves blessed to be a part of the Lord’s church. When Caden is old enough to understand, we will share with him your love and concern for him, as well as Miranda and me, during his time in the hospital. Again, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Phil. 1:3-4).

Now that’s Something to Think About!