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I am writing this teaching to myself. I have come to realize that the closer I get to real God service the more distractions come about to get me off course. There are the meetings, the sports shows, work, family, the car breaks down. Not that many of these things aren’t important. But, the real question isn’t what is important? The real question is what is most important?
Many churches have about 10% of the congregation that participates in the church. There are two reasons why the other 90% do not. One is lack of time. The other is motivation. Let’s look at motivation because it decides our time management.
We are all motivated by something. Many preachers teach doctrines that have been handed down over many centuries. The problem with much of this doctrine is it is based on the idea that a Christian is based on what he doesn’t do. Good Christians don’t drink or smoke. They don’t swear. They don’t go to bars. Listen, a hamburger can have lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Some people (like myself) would say that a good hamburger doesn’t have mustard on it. Some of you may disagree. But what makes a hamburger isn’t a plant or a condiment. It is the meat.
I used to be a Mormon. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to become a Mormon. But, when I stopped being a Mormon it was a real uphill battle. Why? Listen all preachers of dying churches: I lived what I believed. At twelve years of age I was going out with the missionaries. I helped with the church grounds. I actually told my friends about Mormonism. I can’t be a Mormon now because of what I believe.
If we keep telling people that Christianity is all these restrictive rules we can count on a further decline in church membership. If however, we start teaching others that Christianity is based on do as Christians, then we might just see some solid church growth. Before you e-mail me and say something about works and salvation, let me assure you that I know one can not earn salvation. Christianity is following Christ not earning salvation. But we can’t follow Christ from a couch or a bleacher. Read the New Testament. Christ only had people sitting when he taught them. The rest of the time they spent doing something.
Mark 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. This is what we call the great commission. Go, get moving. Where? Into all the world. What? Preach the Gospel. To who? Every creature. What about this says sit and be lazy? We have focused so long on what Christians shouldn’t do that we have forgotten what they should do! Read Matthew the 25th chapter. What happens to the lazy virgins, the man who hides his talent, and the goats?
Some will now say I just don’t have the time. The average Christian church is open two days a week. We don’t act like Christianity is all that important. Meanwhile the ACLU is trying to strip our freedoms, the schools tell us how to raise our kids, Planned Parenthood will keep on advocating abortion, crime rises, the mention of God fades.
Jesus Christ is God. God runs the universe, listens to the prayers of people all over this planet, and fights the powers of darkness. God is very busy. Jesus took time to step out of heaven and die for you and I. Find out what you can do for your local church today.
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