So yesterday while driving to church I was thinking about parts of my sermon which was about how we can live in the last days in a way that we can be ready for Jesus when He returns. I also have been thinking about people who have left churches and no longer worship. These people are becoming known as the de-churched. And then it occurred to me that without the Church it is almost impossible to be ready for Jesus’ return. I know there are those who say that you can be a Christian without going to church. That may be correct from a theoretical point of view but in the real world (where most of us live) we Christians need to stick together. Remember Elijah when he asked God to kill him, only to find out that he wasn’t alone but that there were thousands who were worshipping the true God. We need that assurance that there are others.
How often have we used this verse: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. --Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
Look carefully at this verse and what I see is that if I want protection form the gates of hell then I need to get it from the church. This is the strongest endorsement of the church that we get from the Bible. Living in this day and age I need all the protection I can get…the world and the enemies of God are doing all that they can to convince Christians to walk away from the church…why? Because that is where our protection lies!
So Eastside Assembly of God has issued a challenge for our people to invited one of these people who have given up on the church to spend Easter Sunday with us.
One more thing…Just so you know, boy did I get in trouble when I got in the car after church. Those of you who heard yesterday’s sermon will know why. We had an old fashioned altar call and I got saved! (for the thousandth time).
